Teaching Artist Apprentices/Assistants - Arts Education/Dance

BALLROOM BASIX (BBX) Teaching Artists are passionate individuals who love to engage schoolchildren through the arts. Our work creatively fosters self-expression, joy, confidence and cooperation through the shared noncompetitive experience of partner dancing, which can positively impact students’ lives and, by extension, their families and communities.

Are you ready to make a dynamic difference for kids in NYC? 

We are looking for motivated and enthusiastic Teaching Apprentices who possess a genuine desire to connect with young people through our unique, noncompetitive BBX syllabus and methodology — catalyzing meaningful connections among classmates in a respectful, rotational format.

About the Work

The “BBX Experience” promotes poise, courtesy, camaraderie, and consent. Because our program is NON-competitive, we strive to provide a space for inclusion and equity wherein all students interact supportively with one another — regardless of popularity, ethnicity, ability and/or identity.

As a BBX Apprentice,  you’ll work with an experienced Teaching Artist to learn our curriculum, including multicultural information about the dances, enabling students to connect with their own (and others’) cultural heritages. While assisting an experienced Teaching Artist, you’ll receive hands-on training in demonstrating dances, working creatively with students as you provide in-class support for the Teaching Artist.

Apprentices may work 2-5 days/week in residencies in schools across New York City. Each residency is usually 2-4 hours one-day per week, mornings and/or afternoons and usually run 12-14 weeks. This is a great opportunity for performers who are looking for part-time work during the school day from 8am-2:30pm (and after school from 3pm - 5pm).

Requirements: 

Acting, dancing, teaching, and/or performing arts experience — plus a pleasant and outgoing personality — are essential. Some partner (Ballroom/Latin) dancing experience is preferable but not mandatory. Memorizing our script & syllabus is part of the training process. We expect applicants to be high-energy, charismatic and have the ability to inspire a diversity of schoolchildren in 1st – 9th grades. Our schools are located in all 5 boroughs, so you need to be comfortable traveling by public transit (or car) to arrive at your school(s) on time. We are especially looking for TAs that are based in Staten Island and eastern Queens as our program is expanding!

We provide paid training (including a travel stipend). We will host in-person and/or hybrid training sessions to help you learn the dances and class content, and provide support so you will be ready for your own residencies as a “Teaching Artist” the following school semester. 

There will be a mid-August BALLROOM BASIX BOOTCAMP for qualified candidates.

If offered an Apprenticeship (beginning in September), you must be able to commit to a 2-4 month training period and to complete any residencies which you begin. As an Apprentice, you will be offered a confirmed weekly schedule. We have in-school and after-school part-time opportunities available. 

We’re looking to hire immediately. TA compensation is commensurate with experience. The training rate is $20-$25 an hour, based upon experience. Travel time is compensated at $16/hour.

 

HOW TO APPLY:

 

Please join us in teaching the “basix” of Ballroom & Latin partner dancing non-competitively to NYC school children — with an emphasis on enjoyable and respectful interaction. To apply to BALLROOM BASIX, please send a resume, brief cover letter and headshot to info@nospamballroombasix.org that also includes your availability (days and times) for August & September.

About BALLROOM BASIX

BALLROOM BASIX (BBX) is an arts-in-education initiative dedicated to nurturing the social, emotional and physical well-being of schoolchildren — transforming the landscape of the classroom by instilling kindness among classmates through the verbal & physical courtesy and Ballroom & Latin partner dancing.

We strive to provide a greater sense of resilience, interpersonal relatedness, compassion and confidence among the students we serve. Since first launching our program with a few dozen kids in Harlem over 15 years ago, our “fun, fitness & fancy footwork” has touched the young lives of more than 35,000 children in over 200 schools citywide.

Please visit our youtube channel to see our meaningful mission and motto in action. “Making manners matter…every move we make!” https://www.youtube.com/user/ballroombasix/videos

 

 

BALLROOM BASIX USA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We are committed to diversity, inclusion, access and equity for all. We follow NY State, CDC and NYC/DOE requirements for safety.  All Teaching Artists should be vaccinated and have/get DOE fingerprinting.