AileyCamp Dance Instructor (Modern, Jazz, African, Ballet) - Cal Performance Job Listing at University of California in Berkeley, CA (Job ID 65392)

Description

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.

Departmental Overview

Cal Performances presents and produces outstanding artists from the Bay Area, the United States, and around the world in performances and community programs which promote excellence, innovation, diversity, education, and community involvement, with the fundamental belief that the arts are vital to our society locally, nationally, and internationally.  Berkeley/Oakland AileyCamp at Cal Performances is a program of the Education Department. Cal Performances supports AileyCamp with an array of professional performing arts services, including but not limited to marketing, public relations, facilities including Zellerbach Auditorium, and a full professional technical staff.     

AileyCamp is a nationally proven arts education program that uses dance as a vehicle for developing self-esteem, creative expression, and critical thinking skills among 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students (aged 11-14) from underserved communities.  AileyCamp also provides exceptional dance training to middle school students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.  The project was inspired by the work of the late Alvin Ailey, internationally renowned dance artist, choreographer, and founder of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.  Please visit http://calperformances.org/community/aileycamp/ to learn more about AileyCamp and Cal Performances

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: ASAP when an application is received. 

Responsibilities

The AileyCamp Dance Instructors will teach, model, and support student learning in and through dance techniques to the AileyCampers. Specific techniques in Jazz, Modern (Horton technique), African, and Ballet are detailed below.  The dance faculty consists of four instructors working collaboratively with the AileyCamp directors, Guidance Counselor, Creative Communications instructor, Personal Development instructor, and a staff of Group Leaders to ensure a supportive professional environment. 

 

• Part-time: Support AileyCamp preparatory events, including AileyCamp interviews (March 18-28, 2024), Spring reunion (April 6, 2024), and the Family Orientation (May 8, 2024).
• Full-time: Five-day work week – Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., from June 10 - July 26, 2024 (and until 9:30pm on 7/25 performance night) for all weeks employed.)
• Teach up to four classes per day, four days per week or as determined by the AileyCamp directors.
• Participate in the general oversight of the campers, including at assigned meal times and camper free periods, including but not limited to assist with other class engagement, support Group Leaders in their oversight of individual groups of campers, provide supervision during lunch and breaks as assigned on a rotating basis, and take on projects in support of camp, production preparation, and audience engagement.
• Participate in individual and AileyCamp staff meetings, including scheduled meetings during working meals, and at least two after-camp meetings a week. 
• Plan lessons that will develop physical and mental stamina, agility, grace, cooperative work, and an appreciation for the joys of rigorous discipline among youth.
• Provide schedule and description of proposed class content to AileyCamp directors for final approvals and integration with the whole camp curriculum. 
• Coordinate with Group Leaders, Group Leader Mentor, and other staff to assess campers' individual needs, and support them in interventions to meet these needs.
• Produce camper progress evaluations, documentation for Camp Anthology, and other materials celebrating the campers' experience.
• Choreograph a camper presentation for the final performance.

 

Required Qualifications

• Requires prior experience as a professional dancer and dance instructor in Jazz, Modern (Horton technique), Ballet, or at least one regional dance of Africa.
• Demonstrated experience working with urban children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, identified as having one or more of the following at-risk factors: living with a single parent or no parent; having a sibling who dropped out of school or became a school-age parent; having difficulty with the traditional school structure as determined by teacher observation; or having low self-esteem.  
• Familiarity with and/or ability to be trained in and implement youth-centered learning frameworks.
• Excellent leadership skills including an ability to command respect and motivate achievement while working effectively with young people, serving as a positive influence and model for disciplined practice, healthy personal habits, and respectful communication with campers and with your peers.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to relate well to diverse persons, and actively work as part of an ensemble with a shared mission to support campers and camp activities in whatever manner is needed.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines in a self-directed, prioritized, and calm manner.  
• Flexibility to meet changing needs and priorities as they occur.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, cheerful collaborator, able and willing to take initiative to accomplish or support others in accomplishing tasks related to the successful and smooth operation of the camp.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background check.
• Must complete all UC Berkeley mandated trainings for employees by deadlines given.
• Must comply with UC Berkeley's Covid-19 policies for employees
   

For Jazz Dance:
A basic understanding of the principles of jazz dance including jazz hands, jazz walks, jazz runs, leaps, jazz slides, step-ball changes and energy focus, and demonstrated success contributing to an ensemble work environment requiring willingness and ability to take on tasks outside the dance classroom.
 

For Modern (Horton):

Concepts stressed by Lester Horton involving competence in movement, use of communicative possibilities in dance, correctness of posture and performance of all movements; and demonstrated success contributing to an ensemble work environment requiring willingness and ability to take on tasks outside the dance classroom.
 

For Ballet:

Ballet techniques including placement, posture, carriage, alignment, strength, flexibility and style of arms, legs and torso, as well as stretches, plies, leaps, turns and combinations; and demonstrated success contributing to an ensemble work environment requiring willingness and ability to take on tasks outside the dance classroom.
 

For African Dance:

Basic understanding of a region of Africa through teaching its culture, music and dances; and demonstrated success contributing to an ensemble work environment requiring willingness and ability to take on tasks outside the dance classroom.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience choreographing for youth of varying abilities.
• Experience with the frameworks of youth development and youth-centered learning environments.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter, specify the position you are applying for.

Other Information

This is a temporary position with a start date of March 18, 2024 - July 26, 2024
 

Percent of Time: 

Part-time: March 18 – June 7, 2024 
Full-time: June 10, 2024 – July 26, 2024

 

Compensation rate: $22.00 an hour

 

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities.  Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.  The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Mandated Reporter

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

 

For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, please see the University of California Discrimination, Harassment, and Affirmative Action in the Workplace policy.

 

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