Project Dance Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Project Performer is a performing arts studio in Encinitas, CA, providing high-level training in acting, singing, and dance for kids and teens ages 5–18.

But we're about more than creating great performers.

We believe the right teacher can change the trajectory of a kid's life.

We're looking for a Hip Hop Dance Instructor/Coach who loves what they do, brings great energy into the room, and genuinely cares about the kids standing in front of them. Someone who can teach excellent technique and choreography—but who also notices the kid standing in the back of the room who isn't quite sure they belong yet.

We love teachers who root for the underdog. Who celebrate progress. Who know when to challenge a student and when they need someone in their corner. Who can hold high expectations without using intimidation to get there.

At Project Performer, we believe in inspiration over intimidation. We want our students to work hard because they've discovered what they're capable of—not because they're afraid to get something wrong.

If you're passionate about hip hop, love teaching young people, and want to be part of a studio where the relationships you build matter just as much as the choreography you teach, we'd love to meet you.

Position Details

We're looking for an instructor to join us for the 2026–2027 season (ASAP)

Schedule: Mondays, approximately 5:00–8:45 PM
Location: Encinitas, CA

This teaching block will include a mix of hip hop, choreography/combinations, and dancer development classes for youth (ages 8-12), teens (ages 13+), and adults.

We're especially interested in finding someone who can make this block their own—bringing strong hip hop training, great choreography, high energy, and a genuine investment in the people they're teaching.

What You'll Do

You'll be responsible for more than showing up and teaching combinations. We want someone who takes ownership of their classes and their students' growth.

You'll:

• Plan and teach thoughtful, structured classes that meet dancers at their current level and push them forward
• Develop students' hip hop foundation, musicality, coordination, performance quality, and confidence
• Teach choreography in a way that helps dancers become quicker and more adaptable at picking up movement
• Help students understand the "why" behind what they're learning—not simply memorize steps
• Provide specific, constructive feedback while maintaining an encouraging environment
• Create age-appropriate choreography for our end-of-year Broadway Revue
• Maintain clear expectations and strong classroom management without losing the joy in the room
• Learn your students as individuals and invest in their progress
• Collaborate with our dance faculty and leadership team to support students across styles

The Teacher We're Looking For

You might be a great fit if you're the teacher who:

• Gets excited when something finally clicks for a student
• Can challenge a strong dancer while making a newer dancer feel like they belong in the same room
• Believes being an excellent teacher requires both high standards and a big heart
• Is patient enough to break something down a different way when a student isn't getting it
• Understands that confidence isn't something every kid walks in with—sometimes it's something we help them build
• Brings current, relevant training into the classroom while still prioritizing strong foundations
• Is reliable, prepared, communicative, and easy to collaborate with
• Loves learning and wants to continue growing as an educator

We're especially drawn to people who remember the teacher who believed in them—and want to be that person for someone else.

Qualifications

• Strong training and demonstrated ability in hip hop dance
• Previous experience teaching children and/or teens
• Ability to confidently teach dancers across different ages and experience levels
• Strong choreography and musicality
• Ability to break down movement clearly and effectively
• Strong classroom management and communication skills
• Understanding of safe conditioning and training practices
• Professional, dependable, prepared, and collaborative

Experience teaching strength/conditioning or choreography-based classes is a plus.

Experience in additional styles—including jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, musical theatre, or commercial dance—is also a plus, but not required.

Our Core Values

PROFESSIONALISM
We prepare our students for the professional world by modeling professionalism ourselves. We show up prepared, on time, and ready to do excellent work.

KINDNESS
We believe in leaving people happier than we found them. We listen, respect, communicate thoughtfully, and make our classrooms places where students feel safe enough to grow.

INSPIRATION
We prefer inspiration to intimidation. We love what we do, and we want that love to be contagious.

INVESTMENT
Our students aren't numbers on a roster. We mentor them, notice them, challenge them, and care about who they're becoming—not just what they can execute.

COURAGE
We encourage our students to take risks, make mistakes, recover, and shine their own unique light.

ENTHUSIASM
We bring a can-do attitude to the studio. We problem-solve, keep learning, and bring energy and passion to our work.

Additional Expectations

• Attend monthly team meetings via Zoom
• Participate in quarterly professional development
• Attend and support our end-of-year Broadway Revue
• Collaborate with fellow faculty on student development and class placement
• Participate in student progress and evaluation processes throughout the season

Why Project Performer?

You'll get to teach students who want to learn while being part of a team that genuinely cares about becoming better educators.

We're growing, we're ambitious about the quality of training we provide, and we care deeply about maintaining a studio culture that is warm, thoughtful, supportive, and fun to be part of.

We want excellent teachers—but we also want good humans.

If you care about helping kids become stronger dancers, more confident performers, and more courageous versions of themselves, there may be a home for you here.

Compensation: $40–$60/hour, based on experience

Hiring Process

Application
Questionnaire
Zoom Interview
Teaching Demo
Final Interview
Offer + Contract

Apply Today

If reading this made you think, "This sounds like the kind of place I want to teach," we want to hear from you.

Come help us build great dancers—and even better humans.