Music Coach - Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra (SCVYO)

CALARTS COMMUNITY ARTS PARTNERSHIP (CAP)

The world-renowned California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) and its award-winning arts education program for youth, the CalArts Community Arts Partnership (CAP), partner with the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra to provide coaching for winds students for the 2026-2027 academic year. 

*This Position is only available to CalArts students with Federal Workstudy*

SCVYO MUSIC COACH

 A CAP SCVYO Music Coach assists their assigned ensembles during rehearsal hours every Sunday throughout the fall and spring semesters, with each culminating in an end-of-semester concert. This position is highly collaborative and requires working closely with students, teachers, and staff at our partner sites, CalArts staff, and other CAP instructors. CAP SCVYO Music Coaches report to the CAP Program Manager, John Holmgren.

CAP SCVYO Music Coaches are assigned to sit in and rehearse with specific ensembles, for up to 3 hours of teaching per day. Additional hours will be logged during the residency for trainings and any meetings with CAP Staff, or for extra rehearsal hours at the request of SCVYO Staff, as agreed upon by CalArts Staff and the Music Coach themselves. Classes do not meet on Holidays, Winter Break, or Spring Break (determined by the SCVYO calendar). SCVYO Music Coaches may also be asked to lead sectionals for their chosen instrument, or lead certain sections of the rehearsal. They may also be called upon to demonstrate certain instrumental techniques, demo musical passages, and assist students in their playing. SCVYO Rehearsals are conducted at Rancho Pico Junior High School in Stevenson Ranch, CA.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (include but are not limited to) 

 TEACHING

• Rehearsing and performing with the student participants of the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra (SCVYO).
• Leading instrument sectionals of SCVYO student participants. 
• Setting up and breaking down equipment and supplies before and after each class.
• Facilitating the assessment of participants’ achievement and skill levels (both formative and summative assessment).
• Creating a safe learning environment that encourages student participation and creativity, and invites critical and constructive dialogue and an exchange of opinions.

PROGRAM SUPPORT

• Attending all mandatory orientation & training sessions.
• Available for and present at all class dates and events, including end-of-semester concerts.
• Logging hours worked in PayCom promptly in compliance with accounting policies & deadlines.
• Responding to emails and phone calls from the lead instructors and CAP staff in a prompt and courteous manner.
• Creating a safe learning environment for youth participants and student instructors. Abiding by the rules, regulations, policies and directives of CalArts CAP as they now exist or as may be adopted by CalArts and/or CalArts CAP during the appointment period. Ensuring that student instructors follow all CalArts CAP policies & procedures at CalArts CAP Program sites.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Current BFA or MFA student at California Institute of the Arts
• Qualifies for Federal Work Study 
• Demonstrated interest in teaching K-12 students
• Exceptional ability to work well with and effectively relate to diverse communities of students, faculty and staff
• Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills
• Skills with knowledge of various art-making tools and software, depending on artform
• Ability to assess students’ progress and skill levels objectively
• Reliable transportation to/from teaching sites
• Punctuality at all class dates and events
• Live Scan certification and TB clearance
• Bilingual in Spanish a plus

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL CONDITIONS (include but are not limited to)

• Exposure to toner, white out, cleaning fluids, office equipment, noise, talking, air conditioning and heating.
• Exposure to loud sounds 
• Prolonged periods of sitting 
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking
• Reaching above or below shoulder level for equipment, files, or materials
• Using computers
• Pushing/pulling open and closed doors, cabinets and drawers
• Kneeling, stooping and/or crouching to reach files or materials

For questions, email CAP Program Manager John Holmgren at  [email protected].

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The actual essential duties, responsibilities and qualifications may vary by department, reporting structure or other business needs. No inference should be drawn that a specific job duty, responsibility or qualification is non-essential by its absence from this description. This does not constitute a contract for employment CalArts management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.