Teaching Artist, Music Discovery Program

Position Title:Teaching Artist (Music Discovery Program)

Department: Reach Teach Play

Reports To: Director of Teaching and Learning

Range:$70 per instruction hour (part-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 worlds 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 Institutes collaborative and experiential artistic training programs and more. Together Ravinias initiatives serve tens of thousands of students families and emerging professional musicians.

Our 36-acre park is home to North Americas 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

The Teaching Artist for Ravinias Music Discovery Program (MDP) will report directly to the Project Manager of Reach Teach Play education programs. This role is an essential player in bringing vibrant music residencies directly into Chicago Public Schools and is an energetic deeply passionate musician and educator who thrives on collaboration with classroom teachers. The Teaching Artist will design plan and implement creative music residencies for students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade during regular school-day hours. They will teach foundational music concepts through engaging musical activities and songs culminating in an exciting presentation where students showcase their learning at the end of the residencies.

Key Responsibilities

Planning & Curriculum Design

• Design and plan a customized residency plan that achieves Ravinias Music Discovery Program learning goals

• Create and deliver classroom lesson plans for each session visit ensuring that each lesson plan implements music activities based on Ravinias professional learning workshops

• Prepare accurate rehearsal tracks/videos for teachers to use in their classroom.

Collaboration & Communication

• Collaborate with classroom teachers to jointly design plan and implement both the residency unit and individual musical lessons.

• Communicate regularly with Reach Teach Play Program staff and classroom teachers to plan and assess program effectiveness communicate classroom schedules rehearsals and performance dates and times

Program Execution & Assessment

• Co-produce a culminating final performance to display student learning and work at the assigned school and at Ravinia.

• Continually assess the progress of classroom ensemble growth through informal assessment strategies.

Professional Development

• Participate in professional learning workshops for teaching artists and classroom teachers (August 11-13 2026; 6 additional meetings and professional learning sessions throughout the school year; dates TBD).

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Strong confident singer with a clear understanding of young singers vocal ranges and abilities

• Experience working with groups of children in diverse educational settings particularly in grades Kindergarten through 3rd-grade students

• Experience developing and delivering lesson plans

• Comfortable communicating with classroom teachers school administrators and RTP staff

• Highly organized and punctual

• Must have reliable transportation to travel to school sites and Ravinia

• A creative flexible and adaptive mindseteager to learn and incorporate new teaching strategies

Education and Experience

• Strong background in music music education or related field

• Experience and desire to work with children and teachers from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds

• Bachelors degree (Bachelor of Music Bachelor of Music Education preferred) or equivalent job experience

Success Factors / Metrics

Success in this role is measured by:

• Program Completion: Successful completion of all assigned 12 10 8 and 5-week residencies

• Program Materials:Submission of residency overviews lesson plans and schedules as required

• Collaboration:Strong collaborative partnerships demonstrated by seamless co-design and co-implementation of lessons with classroom teachers.

• Showcases:Successful coordination and execution of culminating student presentations at both the school site and the Ravinia Days festival.

• Professionalism:Consistent demonstration of professionalism and commitment to Reach Teach Plays guiding principles.

Work Environment and Culture

• This role involves working on-site during the school day teaching Kindergarten through 3rd-grade classes in general classrooms within assigned Chicago Public Elementary School(s) located within the city boundaries typically 1-2 days per week depending on residency length

• Occasional travel to Ravinia and other Chicago Public School locations for professional learning workshops

• Interaction with young students classroom teachers and school administrators where the safety of the students is paramount

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 Chicagos 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.