Pre-Ballet Teacher

The Philadelphia-based Rock School for Dance Education, a pre-professional dance training institution,
is seeking a part-time Pre-Ballet Teacher at its downtown in Philadelphia.
1510 Paoli Pike, West Chester, PA 19380

Title
Pre-Ballet Teacher

Reports to
Chief Artistic Officer and President and Director

Salaried
No

Management
No

Exempt
No

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Pre-Ballet Teacher works with the Chief Artistic Officer and President and Director to teach students ages 3-6, setting an important foundation for more advanced dance studies. The responsibilities for this part-time, seasonal position include: teaching 2-6 hours of Pre-Ballet classes per week for 35 weeks following the TRS curriculum; attending faculty meetings and trainings as assigned; working with the Registrar, Customer Service Manager, and Chief Artistic Officer to ensure that enrollment and attendance records are accurate and families’ needs are met; and preparing students for end-of-year Showcases as assigned.

Pre-Ballet Teacher DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Teaching

    • Teach Pre-Ballet classes as assigned for approximately 35 weeks during the school year (September - June) 

      • Follow The Rock School curriculum with each level, pacing appropriately to ensure students accomplish all the required elements by the end of the school year.

    • Attend faculty meetings and TRS faculty trainings as assigned by the Chief Artistic Officer and/or President and Director.

    • Support the TRS dress code in all classes.

    • Work with parents/caregivers as needed to facilitate positive student behavior in the studio and the School

  • Administrative 

    • Take attendance for each class and work with Registrar to confirm that all enrollment records are accurate.

    • Assist with costume fittings and distribution for year-end Showcase.

    • Be familiar with TRS student handbook and other information distributed related to spring Showcases and the Classic Nutcracker.

    • Support TRS policies and work with Customer Service Manager to ensure families’ needs are being met.

    • Student evaluations

  • Rehearsing and choreography

    • Create choreography for school performances as assigned, following TRS guidelines for each class.

    • Rehearse students weekly during class to ensure students are prepared to perform at the end of the school year.

    • Provide backstage support for all student dress rehearsals and performances as assigned.

  • Other duties as assigned

Bookkeeper/Admin QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience teaching with a dance education organization; a minimum of three years is preferred

  • Experience teaching children aged 3-6 is preferred

  • Bachelor’s degree in dance and/or training in a pre-professional dance institution. Training/certification in dance pedagogy, early childhood development, or related fields preferred.

  • Exceptional attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and ability to work in a deadline-driven environment

  • Strong communication skills

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team

APPLICATION INFORMATION

WAGES
This position is paid $50 per hour of in-studio instruction (preparation and evaluations are incorporated into this compensation amount). Meetings are paid at $10 per hour. $250 is paid for each recital/performance that the teacher has a participating class or classes.

BACKGROUND

A Minimum of 3 years of experience as a dance teacher is preferred; prior experience teaching with dance education organization is required. A degree in dance and/or significant training in a pre-professional dance institution is required. Training/certification in dance pedagogy, early childhood development, or related fields preferred. 

The Rock School for Dance Education is committed to recruiting and fostering a diverse community of staff and students and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. The School prohibits discrimination based upon an individual's age, ancestry, citizenship, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state or local law. BIPOC individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, and members of other historically disenfranchised and marginalized populations are strongly encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION
Please email a cover letter, resume/CV to employment@therockschool.org with the subject line “Pre-Ballet Teacher”

Digital submissions are preferred 

Application deadline: ONGOING UNTIL POSITION IS FILLED.

NO PHONE CALLS.

The Rock School for Dance Education is committed to recruiting and fostering a diverse community of staff and students and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. The School prohibits discrimination based upon an individual's age, ancestry, citizenship, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state or local law. BIPOC individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, and members of other historically disenfranchised and marginalized populations are strongly encouraged to apply.

ABOUT THE ROCK SCHOOL

Mission

The Rock School develops the whole dancer, enabling students to reach the highest standards of technique and artistry in a nurturing, supportive environment that elevates the art form, the dancer, and the audience.

The Rock School for Dance Education is one of the world’s finest pre-professional training institutions. Dancers from around the globe have looked to The School for its world-class pre-professional program, featuring exceptional faculty, individual attention, and a nurturing environment. These are exemplified by the success of The School’s alums for over 60 years.

Graduates have ascended the ranks of premier dance companies worldwide and on Broadway and London’s West End. Rock students continue to receive top honors in the Prix de Lausanne, Youth America Grand Prix, USA International Ballet Competition, Moscow International Ballet Competition, and Berlin Tanzolymp. The faculty includes distinguished dancers, instructors, and choreographers. Today, The Rock School is proud to award annual scholarships of more than $1.2 million.

American and international boarding students find an inviting, comfortable, and safe home living at The Marine Club dormitory across from The Rock’s South Philadelphia location. These resident and commuter students receive both dance training and college preparatory academic education as part of their Rock School experience. The Rock School-West location serves the region’s suburban Mainline communities from West Chester, PA. The two locations collaborate, sharing a unified curriculum, faculty, and joint competition and stage performances. The Rock School operates on a $5.9 million annual budget.

Our Commitment to the Community

RockReach has engaged K-12 participants from underfunded communities, including Title 1, public, private, and charter schools with few or no art education offerings in Philadelphia and Delaware counties for 22 years. RockReach participants include special needs students and Individualized Education Programs, including students who are non-verbal, have Autism Spectrum Disorder, have mobility impairments, and are blind or low-sight. RockReach enriches these students’ education experience through professional teaching artists who work closely with classroom teachers to understand students' unique needs and encourage them to explore movement and music in new ways. Structured programs are generally offered for 32 or more weeks each year to every student in a single grade in 11 partner schools. Meaning, RockReach serves at least one entire grade per program year, not simply one class from different grade levels) Additionally, upwards of 3,800 students experience The Rock School Nutcracker for free each year through live and virtual presentations. The City Dance program moves RockReach students with interest and aptitude for more formal dance study into the school’s professional programming on scholarship. The RockReach program operates on a $250k annual budget.

History

The Rock School for Dance Education is one of the world’s finest pre-professional training institutions. Alumni have received employment as leading dancers with the world’s top dance companies for 60 years.

George Balanchine and Barbara Weisberger established the School of Pennsylvania Ballet in 1963. For the first three decades, the school gained momentum and success as a part of the Pennsylvania Ballet. The institutions separated in 1992 owing to a significant gift from philanthropist and community leader Dr. Milton Rock. Dr. Rock gave the growing school ownership of the Rock Center at 1101 S. Broad Street and a new name, The Shirley Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet (1986 - 1992). The school was incorporated on November 17, 1992, and received its nonprofit status in 1993, embarking on its journey to world acclaim as The Rock School for Dance Education led by Bojan Spassoff.

Today, The Rock School operates on a $6 million annual budget with facilities that include The Rock Center in Philadelphia and a suburban satellite school, Rock West, in West Chester. Boarding students find a comfortable home at The Marine Club across from The Rock Center, and many receive both dance and college preparatory academic education at The Rock School.

Graduates have ascended the ranks of premier dance companies worldwide and on Broadway and London’s West End. Rock students continue to receive top honors in the Prix de Lausanne, Youth America Grand Prix, World Ballet Competitions, USA International Ballet Competition, Moscow IBC, and Berlin Tanzolymp. The faculty includes distinguished dancers, instructors, and choreographers serving over 1,200 students. Today, The Rock School is proud to award over $1.2 million in annual scholarships.

Peter Stark succeeded long-time President and Director Bojan Spassoff in 2022, setting the stage for a new era of exceptional dance education.