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Openings: Dance Teaching Artist
Openings: Dance Teaching Artist
FULL TIME Teaching Artist
Full Time Lead Teaching Artist | Position Description
Notes in Motion/Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatre’s Full-Time Lead Teaching Artist is an exempt full-time position in our dynamic, inclusive, and robust dance education program in the NYC Public Schools. The Lead Teaching Artist will be fully available from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. on all school days (including summer school/camp) with occasional work on evenings and weekends for special events and workshops. Their teaching schedule will vary based on ongoing program needs as set by the Director of Education. The Lead Teaching Artist’s teaching schedule will include between 25-35 hours/week of active instruction in in-school residencies, after-school programs, and community programs in a variety of dance styles, techniques, and age groups. For any work hours per month where the Lead Teaching Artist is not assigned to teach programming, they will be responsible for a series of projects to support curriculum and dance content development, program documentation and marketing, social media, communications, observing and supporting programs in actions, and developing teaching tools and resources for the Education Ensemble.
The Lead Teaching Artist is an experienced dance teacher with extensive knowledge in developmental stages for students ages 3-18 who can model excellence for our diverse Education Ensemble of Teaching Artists. The Lead Teaching Artist should have experience with the NYC Department of Education and The Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts. The ideal candidate is an inspiring teacher who models kindness and wisdom for students, Teaching Artists, and the communities we serve. The Lead Teaching Artist is passionate about advancing our goals of equity, racial justice, and inclusion through the arts. They are an advocate for change, an imaginative problem solver, adept at anticipating challenges, resolving conflict, and advancing our mission throughout the NYC school system. This position involves excellent organization, time management, communication skills, and conscientiousness when working with our diverse communities. This is a full-time exempt position that involves daily travel to schools throughout the NYC public school system. As a senior member of Notes in Motion/Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatre, the Lead Teaching Artist will also support company-wide events, fundraising efforts, and marketing initiatives.
Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree in dance, education, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
- 5 + years background working in or with the NYC public schools (or comparable system).
- Substantive dance teaching, performing, and choreography experience.
- Experience creating dynamic works of choreography for youth.
- Highly organized, technologically savvy, detail oriented.
- Self-managed, ability to work remotely and independently.
- Formal dance training and professional performance experience.
- Possess a vibrant passion for dance and dance education.
- Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills
- with Notes in Motion colleagues, including all staff, Board, dancers, and Teaching Artists.
- out in the field, acting as an engaging, articulate, and informed representative of Notes in Motion.
- Teach 25-35 program sessions, workshops, and special events/week for Notes in Motion Partner Schools as scheduled by the Director of Education following our best practices, teaching methodology, and 5 part-program structure. The Lead Teaching Artist will be fully available from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. on all school days (including summer school/camp) with occasional work on evenings and weekends for special events and workshops. Their teaching schedule will vary based on ongoing program needs as set by the Director of Education. For any non-scheduled teaching days, the Lead Teaching Artist will be available to sub or assist/support other programming. The Full Time Teaching Artist will be traveling throughout the 5 boroughs to the underserved communities in which we work.
- Identifying yourself as a Teaching Artist from Notes in Motion and being well-versed in our program offerings. Taking the time to get to know school leaders and open lines of communication with all partners. Always presenting yourself in a professional manner, verbally and physically. Dressing in professional dance appropriate attire which allows you to move freely while being appropriately covered (not rehearsal attire).
- Refraining from any form of solicitation of any individual artistic or professional services for or with the school or students for the foreseeable future. In the event that the school requests additional services from you, discuss any such request promptly with Notes in Motion staff who will make a determination about whether such work competes with the work of Notes in Motion. In the event that the requested services are deemed competitive with Notes in Motion, you shall not accept such work.
- Take leadership of our Notes in Motion Instagram account, in collaboration with other team members.
- Lesson plan effectively in advance of each teaching session as appropriate. Be on time for all program sessions, this means being at the school at least 10-15 minutes prior to start time. Create dynamic choreographed pieces with each group and prepare the students for the culminating performance showcasing the work they did throughout the program. Support culminating events on non-teaching days whenever possible. Timely (within 48 hours of teaching) completion of journal logs for each session that summarizes the activities of the session as well as any specific challenges or successes. Arrive with all necessary materials as outlined in your lesson plan (music, props, paper, etc.) If you wish to ask the School Contact or Student Leaders to provide additional materials, discuss this with the Director of Education.
- Involve other members of the Education Ensemble as much as possible in your work by sharing best practices and collaborating on challenges and curriculum development.
- Attend and participate actively in all required Professional Development and Teaching Artist Meetings as well as any assigned Company-Wide Events, Meetings, and Trainings.
- The Lead Teaching Artist will be assigned tasks for non-teaching time based on the predicted teaching schedule for the month ahead. These tasks will need to be completed in a timely way in collaboration with other members of the administrative team and may include: correspondence, curriculum development, videoing dance teaching content, evaluation and assessment, marketing projects, documentation of programs, general program support, and other tasks as needed. Lead teaching will share progress on tasks with the team and meet deadlines. As is possible in the lead teaching artist’s monthly schedule, a half or full day of office time will be assigned to complete these planning and administrative tasks.
- Salary starts at $50,000/year
- December, February, and April NYC DOE vacations and public holidays off plus then (10) days off that can be taken in late June, late August, or early September.
- Contribution towards company health insurance or equivalent contribution towards self-purchased plan.
- Monthly unlimited metrocard.
Dance Teaching Artist
Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatre/Notes in Motion is seeking experienced Dance Teaching Artists for immediate placement in
ongoing dance and movement residencies and after-school programs in the NYC Public Schools. Teaching artists lead in-
school or after-school dance programs in schools throughout the five boroughs of NYC. Since 2000, Notes in Motion has worked with over 120,000 students across the 5 boroughs. Currently we have partner schools in Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. Our programs occur
within the school day (between 8am-3pm) or after school (3pm-6pm).
Qualified candidates should have:
- At least 1-5 days per week available between 8am-3pm (in-school programs) and/or 2:30pm-6pm (after-school
programs) for immediate placement experience in a variety of dance forms such as ballet, modern, jazz, tap, ballroom,
hip hop, Latin and African Diasporic styles, and/or creative dance training - Bachelors Degree in Dance or Dance Education
Professional dance background and experience teaching in NYC public schools (or similar settings) with elementary,
middle, and/or high school populations - Choreographic experience in a variety of settings for youth
Experience teaching theater, yoga, martial arts, and/or gymnastics a plus - Spanish, Arabic, or Chinese speakers a plus!
Compensation: $45-$50/hr and include paid time for curriculum and professional development.
To apply: Email a substantive cover letter and resume to Alana Urda. | Subject Line: Dance Teaching Artist
Hiring Practice Statement
At Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatre/Notes in Motion, we believe that the strength and vitality of our artistic and educational work emerges from the diversity, creativity, and integrity of the people who make up our organization. Our hiring practices reflect our commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and collaborative environment where artists, educators, staff, dancers, and community partners can thrive.
Commitment to Equity, Access & Representation
We actively seek to build a team that reflects the broad range of identities, experiences, and perspectives within the communities we serve. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, national origin, socioeconomic background, or any other protected characteristic.
We work to remove barriers that have historically excluded individuals from the fields of dance, arts education, and cultural work.
We work to remove barriers that have historically excluded individuals from the fields of dance, arts education, and cultural work.
Transparent, Inclusive Recruitment
Our recruitment and hiring processes are designed to be clear, accessible, and fair. We strive to:
- Share tangible job expectations, responsibilities, and qualifications.
- Provide application processes that are as streamlined and equitable as possible.
- Offer transparency around compensation, including clear pay structures and pathways for professional growth.
- Communicate respectfully and promptly with candidates throughout the process.
Alignment with Mission, Values & Teaching Philosophy
We look for individuals who are passionate about community-building through dance, invested in artistic innovation, and aligned with our Movement Exchange Method and educational pedagogy. Whether hiring dancers, teaching artists, administrators, or production staff, we prioritize candidates who demonstrate:
- A commitment to collaboration and creative inquiry.
- Respect for students, colleagues, and school partners.
- A desire to uplift communities through arts engagement.
- Openness to reflection, feedback, and ongoing learning.
Respect, Professionalism & Safe Working Environments
We work to cultivate a workplace where all members of our community—company dancers, teaching artists, junior board members, staff, and partners—feel valued, safe, and empowered. Our hiring practices reinforce our expectation of professionalism, mutual respect, and ethical conduct. We maintain clear policies ensuring safe classrooms, rehearsal spaces, and work environments, and we maintain confidentiality and discretion throughout our hiring processes.
Continuous Growth & Accountability
We regularly review and refine our hiring practices to ensure they reflect our evolving values, the needs of our communities, and the principles of equity and inclusion. We commit to ongoing learning, open dialogue, and organizational accountability.