Background Dancer Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Summary/Objective

The Adaptive Dance Teaching Artist delivers Ballet Arizona’s Adaptive Dance programming, creating accessible, inclusive, and engaging dance experiences for participants with diverse abilities and needs. This part-time role includes teaching, lesson planning, adapting movement and curriculum to individual and group needs, and collaborating with community partners and caregivers. The Adaptive Dance Teaching Artist reports to the Director of Community Engagement.

Essential functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Teach and/or assist with ballet classes for diverse ages and abilities, for the Adaptive Dance program
• Implement program curriculum and plan weekly instruction.
• Provide direct instruction to all participants that is in line with the spirit of the program, age specific, inclusive, and developmentally and culturally appropriate
• Support Community Engagement programs on and off-site under the direction of the Community Engagement Manager and Director
• Maintain professional relationships and communications with community partners, parents, and students.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Integrity, dependability, accountability, and cultural fluency.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong collaboration and team skills.
• Active dance practice and ballet teaching experience.
• Exemplify Ballet Arizona’s core values.
• Passionate about teaching as they are about their art form 
• Exude joy and love of dance 
• Dynamic, expressive, and energized movers 
• Experience creating choreographic phrases 
• Strong musicality 
• Confident presence and positive and inclusive classroom management skills 
• Understand the developmental needs of children, teens, and adults and are capable of tailoring instruction to support different learners 
• Committed to culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices, and to creating classrooms in which every student is seen, valued, and feels that they belong 
• Experience with (or a willingness to learn) lesson planning and designing units of instruction 
• Reflective practitioners who seek opportunities for continuous learning 
• Collaborative; thrive in a team dynamic in which power and responsibility are shared 
• Flexible, and able to adapt to the needs and strengths of different school communities 
• Believe that all children are dancers and capable of achieving success in and through dance

Work environment and schedule

• Must commit to morning teaching once a week. Classes take place on Saturday mornings.  
• Work is conducted primarily in a classroom, multi-purpose room, and dance studio settings. 
• Some weekends, nights, or substitute teaching opportunities are required.
• Travel to external sites within Maricopa County required; reliable transportation required.

Physical Demands

• Frequent standing and active movement; ability to demonstrate dance steps.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.
• Some computer work for planning and reporting.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor’s degree in dance, education, or related field preferred.
• Working knowledge of Classical Ballet
• Proficiency in Spanish desirable
• Background in dance, experience teaching in public schools or non-traditional settings preferred.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Applicants must have or be able to obtain Arizona Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Ballet Arizona will provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the ADA. Applicants and employees should notify HR if accommodation is needed to perform essential job functions.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

Ballet Arizona provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.