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Position Title: Low String Instructor (Cello), Sistema Ravinia West Side

Department: Reach Teach Play

Reports To: Program Manager, Sistema Ravinia West Side

Range: $50/hour for instruction time - $25/hour for non-instruction time, non-exempt

Company Description

At Ravinia, we believe in the transformative power of shared, live-music moments and their ability to inspire individuals, strengthen communities, and foster a more connected world.

Beyond presenting outstanding performances by the world’s greatest musicians, our mission as a not-for-profit organization is to develop broader, more diverse audiences and performers in the music industry with our Reach Teach Play® community engagement and education programs, our Steans Institute’s collaborative and experiential artistic training programs, and more. Together, Ravinia’s initiatives serve tens of thousands of students, families, and emerging professional musicians.

Our 36-acre park is home to North America’s longest-running outdoor music festival and its most artistically diverse. Over 100 different events, featuring a mix of classical, rock, pop, jazz, R&B, indie, and country performers, make up a typical summer season across our open-air and indoor stages, including the annual residency of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Position Summary

A flagship Reach Teach Play program, Sistema Ravinia emphasizes social development, community building, and musical excellence through intensive, after-school orchestral music education. Sistema Ravinia programming reaches over 300 3rd-12th grade students in 15 Chicago and Lake County public schools utilizing an El Sistema-inspired model of daily ensemble based instruction.

The Low String Instructor (Cello) leads cello studio classes, teaches low string sectionals, and supervises students during all on site program activities for elementary and middle school aged children participating in the Sistema Ravinia West Side nucleo in Chicago.

The Low String Instructor (Cello) reports to the Program Manager, will receive direction and feedback from the Artistic Manager, and works with a team of instructors that are responsible for maintaining a standard of musical excellence and upholding the values and mission of Reach Teach Play. The ideal candidate will be an extraordinary teacher, artist, mentor, and model for Sistema Ravinia students and upholds the belief that every student can succeed in music with access to high quality music instruction and support from their instructor, family, and community.

This position is compensated at $50/hour for instruction time and $25/hour for non-instruction time.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead cello studios and/or low string sectional rehearsals for beginning and intermediate level students in grades 4-8

• Teach repertoire and develop student technical facility and musicianship in alignment with the Sistema Ravinia curriculum and Artistic Manager

• Active participation in instructor and conductor meetings, professional learning, and student/parent meetings as needed

• Assess student progress on an ongoing basis

• Facilitate and supervise all on site activities including snack, restroom breaks, transitions, dismissal

• Work in partnership with Sistema Ravinia West Side administration to track and maintain student attendance records, supports, and interventions

• Cultivate a community environment that contributes to the well-being and agency of every student

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Strong knowledge of beginning/intermediate level cello pedagogical practices

• Ability to build and maintain a rehearsal culture that set high expectations with warmth and care for each student

• Ability to be a motivational mentor and role model for students

• Superior interpersonal skills needed to collaborate with parents, students, administrators, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds

Education and Experience

• Strong background in music education with experience teaching beginners - intermediate string students and teaching in a group setting

• Experience and desire to work with children and adults from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds

• Bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education preferred) or equivalent job experience

Success Factors

• High levels of student engagement, participation, and retention

• High quality student outcomes, growth, and development

• Representation of Ravinia’s mission and vision, positive collaboration with Ravinia Reach Teach Play administrators, teachers, and community

Work Environment

• The schedule for this position is: Mondays from 1:45-5:45pm (time is inclusive of a weekly instructor curriculum planning meeting) and Tuesdays & Thursdays from 2:45-5:45pm. The school year runs from mid-September through mid-May; summer programming runs for three weeks in August.

• The location is Frazier International Magnet Elementary School (4027 W Grenshaw, Chicago, IL 60624).

• Interaction with young students, adult students, parents and administrators where the safety of the students is paramount

• Travel to Ravinia is required occasionally for performances and field trips

Compensation

• Instruction: $50/hour

• Non-instruction: $25/hour

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to confidential resources that support mental health, well-being, and work-life balance.

• Chicago Paid Leave: Eligibility for paid time off in accordance with the City of Chicago’s Paid Leave Ordinance

• Chicago Sick Leave: Accrued sick leave in compliance with Chicago Sick Leave requirements, available for personal illness or to care for eligible family members.

Ravinia is an Equal Opportunity Employer

As an equal opportunity employer, Ravinia strongly believes that diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives is essential to our success and we strive to create and sustain an equitable and inclusive environment for all our employees. Ravinia does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law. We encourage individuals of all identities and abilities to apply.