Teaching Artist

Position

OBT’s Education and Community Engagement department (E/CE) is dedicated to sharing the experiences and contributions of dancers from a wide range of backgrounds who have shaped ballet. Through their work, teaching artists foster inclusive learning environments that encourage all students to see themselves reflected in—and connected to—the art form.

E/CE reaches thousands of students each year through in-school residencies, student performances, and related programs, with more than half of this work provided at no cost to Title I schools. Teaching Artists report to the Director of E/CE and work in partnership with classroom teachers to design developmentally appropriate and engaging lesson plans.

Teaching artists share meaningful, high-quality dance experiences with students, families, and communities. Through their teaching, children and adults are inspired to explore new ways of moving and expressing themselves through dance. By reducing physical and cultural barriers, teaching artists help expand access and strengthen community connection.

OBT Education and Community Engagement (ECE) is seeking professional part-time Teaching Artists who are compassionate and energetic about sharing dance with school partners and the community.

Working Conditions:

This role requires good physical health as the ability to demonstrate movement and speak at an appropriate volume for a room of up to 30 while teaching is required.

Work Schedule:

This is a part-time, hourly position with varying hours. Days and hours of work are generally Monday through Friday, between 8:00am and 3:15pm. The bulk of our work is during the school year with possible teaching opportunities in the summer.

Travel:

Travel to and from schools and other community partners is required during workdays. All locations are within the Portland-metro area.

Compensation:

This hourly position ranges from $37.00-$43.00 per hour depending on experience.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Job Duties/Competencies:

• Teach dance classes through the E/CE department in a variety of non-traditional settings including public school classrooms and studio field trips.

• Implement basic standards to teach Ballet Fundamentals, Creative Movement practices, and other dance genres within their expertise.

• Plan and deliver age-appropriate curriculum for student’s Pre-K through middle school (depending on school placement.)

• Create a safe and inclusive classroom atmosphere and remain adaptable to ensure that all learners can succeed.

• Possess and utilizes classroom management strategies.

• Maintain a significant desire for community work and approach all teaching with an equitable mindset.

• Embrace a genuine enjoyment of young people and the belief that all children are dancers capable of achieving success through dance.

• Share relevant updates and questions regarding community partners with the Director of Education & Community Engagement and work with schoolteachers to support completion of OBT surveys.

• Attend E/CE team meetings (twice per year) along with training required to support the role.

Qualifications

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent teaching experience

• Minimum 2 years’ experience teaching elementary school-aged children

• Experience as a dancer and dance teacher required

Technical Skills:

• Basic understanding of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Doc)

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Apply

Submit a cover letter, resume or CV to taylor.mcdougall@obt.org. Please include your basic teaching philosophy and style, and what skills and strengths you hope to bring to ECE. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position will remain open until filled.

About Oregon Ballet Theatre

This is an exciting time to work at Oregon Ballet Theatre (OBT) – the nation’s 20th largest classical ballet company. OBT is the largest professional dance company in Oregon, employing over 300 people and attracting artists from around the globe with our reputation for excellence. The company is rooted in the traditions of classical ballet, with a repertoire that ranges from the great classics to premieres from some of the most exciting choreographic voices in the field today, including our own Artistic Director, Dani Rowe. Our mission is dedicated to the vitality of, and access to, world-class ballet performance and training in our region.

In addition to our 5-show main stage season, we introduce students to ballet and the importance of lifelong movement through our education and community engagement programs, and we train dancers from three years old to 80 years old through the professional and recreational classes at the Oregon Ballet Theatre School. Many of our students go on to successful professional careers at companies including the Joffrey, the Dutch National Ballet, and within our own organization.

Equity:

OBT is committed to a diverse, racially and culturally inclusive, and equitable workplace in which differences broaden our awareness, enrich our daily experiences, and contribute to our collective strength. We seek to understand, acknowledge, and mitigate inequities in ballet in general, and at OBT specifically.

Our Culture:

Across our organization, OBT is committed to creating a culture characterized by the following: Kind. Positive. Solution-Oriented. Gratitude. Candid. Forgiving. Learning. Trust. Teamwork. Compassionate. Ambassadors. Accountable.

Accommodation:

As part of our commitment to equity, OBT will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals who are differently abled to perform the primary responsibilities of this job.

Security Clearance:

OBT conducts background checks after a conditional offer of employment is made. A background check finding does not automatically preclude employment. OBT reviews the results of each background check individually and assesses them on a case-by-case basis for context and relevance to a job.