YOLA at HOLA Brass Specialist

Description

TITLE: YOLA at Heart of LA Brass Specialist; Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) at Heart of Los Angeles (Heart of LA) Teaching Faculty  

DEPARTMENT: Music

REPORTS TO: Music Program Director

FLSA: Non-exempt 

HOURS: Approximately 8-12 hours/normal programming week, for 37 weeks/year. Hours are subject to change with academic calendar and/or program needs. 

SALARY: $45/hour

START DATE: ASAP

Heart of Los Angeles (Heart of LA) provides underserved youth with exceptional programs in academics, arts and athletics within a nurturing environment, empowering them to develop their potential, pursue their education and strengthen their communities. 

Our core values are: Respect, Responsibility, Positive Communication, Inclusion and Support.

Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA) is the Los Angeles Philharmonic's initiative, supported by a network of stakeholders, to provide access to exceptional instrumental and orchestral education in order to promote youth development. Central to YOLA is the LA Phil's plan to build youth orchestras in underserved communities throughout Los Angeles with community partners.

POSITION SUMMARY

Responsible for teaching trombone classes and  leading brass sectionals for YOLA at Heart of LA, a joint venture of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Heart of Los Angeles (Heart of LA). He/she/they will ensure the highest musical experience for YOLA at Heart of LA, create curriculum and pedagogy in collaboration with other YOLA at Heart of LA music faculty, and support each child holistically. He/she/they will support the Heart of LA philosophy and community as a part of YOLA at Heart of LA and help facilitate community and family involvement.

YOLA at Heart of LA is the second site of Gustavo Dudamel’s signature program Youth Orchestra LA, inspired by El Sistema, the Venezuelan music education system that provides a quarter million children with free musical instruments and music instruction. Over the last thirty years, Heart of Los Angeles has become a home-away-from-home for countless numbers of inner-city youth. With YOLA, this vibrant community center has become a hub of intensive and joyful music making. Each participant receives a rich music curriculum focused on cultivating a caring, cooperative, and fun community. The instruments and the program are free to all participating students as long as they uphold their contract to take care of the instrument, practice, and participate in YOLA at Heart of LA music programming. Participating students come from within a five-mile radius of Heart of LA’s community center, located in and around Lafayette Park, Los Angeles.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

As YOLA at Heart of LA faculty member, responsibilities include (but are not limited to): 

• Collaborating with YOLA at Heart of LA faculty to create a shared curriculum, pedagogy and culture inspired by the ideals of El Sistema.
• Teaching trombone, and/or combined brass sectionals for beginning, intermediate, and advanced YOLA at Heart of LA brass students.
• Lesson planning for the groups and sessions that are taught.
• Team teaching with other wind and brass faculty when necessary.
• Leading ensembles/conducting as assigned. 
• Assisting with full orchestra rehearsals; playing in the section, helping students individually, classroom management, collaborating with the YOLA Conductors. 
• Assisting with concerts and special events.
• Communicating with the YOLA at Heart of LA director, program managers, and tutor, in order to understand each child holistically. 
• Attending music pedagogy and tutoring professional development sessions.
• Supporting youth development in individual and collective agency and expression through artistry and citizenship
• Preparation and communication with music teachers, YOLA Conductor, Program Director, Program Managers, LA Phil staff, parents, and the Heart of LA team.
• Arranging orchestra parts to suit wind (or other) instruments if needed.
• Embodying the El Sistema ideals of mentorship, team teaching and experiential learning by being a role model and mentor to those entering the classroom to learn, such as YOLA students, Masters of Arts in Teaching graduate students or volunteers.
• Representing the YOLA at Heart of LA program by embodying the Heart of LA core values, and welcoming visitors into the collaborative teaching space
• Keeping a regular attendance record of students present, tardy, and absent in each class period. Inputting attendance is vital for the data needs of the music department and informs policy, strategy and planning and is a mandatory requirement of this position. 
• Supporting with Instrument tracking and care 
• Setting up and striking classrooms you are teaching in. Leading by example, supporting students in doing the same. 
• Responsible for arranging a substitute teacher in your absence, communicating with both your teaching team and the administrative team in advance. 
• Maintaining at minimum, an 80% attendance record 
• Actively Checking and Responding to Music Dept communications 

OTHER DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• May perform other departmental duties as assigned.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to be a strong role model for youth during all working hours.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Demonstrated excellent musicianship and artistry as a teacher/performer. 
• Strong background in music education required.
• Commitment to youth development in individual and collective agency and expression through artistry and citizenship
• Strong commitment to El Sistema’s philosophy of social change through music, the mission of Heart of LA, including embedding of Heart of LA’s Core Values (Respect, Responsibility, Positive Communication, Support) in all aspects of artistic direction/work
• Resourceful, creative, takes initiative
• Ability to be flexible in a fast-paced environment
• Four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent experience required; post-graduate degree or equivalent experience a plus.
• Strong experience teaching brass classes to children.
• Experience leading/conducting ensembles (optional).
• Strong knowledge of brass repertoire, curriculum, and pedagogy.
• Experience working with children from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds; experience working in underserved communities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Interest and ability to be a motivational mentor/role model for students, parents,  and peers as an artist, teacher, and citizen.
• Ability to work under frequent observation, collaborate with peers and to both give and receive constructive and helpful feedback when needed.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish a plus.
• Sense of humor is a plus.
• Must pass CA DOJ background check

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The building environment does not provide air conditioning and heat in all areas. Outdoor work is expected in some cases.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes and abilities to perform each duty proficiently.  Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others.  The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills or abilities.

As an equal opportunity employer, Heart of LA values having a diverse workforce and continuously strives to maintain an inclusive and equitable workplace.  We encourage people with a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.  We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, gender, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics.

Legal Disclaimer: This document is intended for informational purposes only and by no means should replace or substitute other legal documents (governmental or non-governmental) reflecting similar content or advice. If you have legal questions concerning your situation or the information provided, you should consult with an attorney.

Salary : $45