Student Artistic Director for Veselica Dance Company (WS-ST3)

Job Title: Student Artistic Director for Veselica Dance Company (WS-ST3)

Classification: Student Employee (non-exempt)

Name and Address of Employer: St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Ave, Northfield, MN 55057

Department Name: Dance Department

Unit Number (5 digits): 11150

Length of Position: Year

Contact Person/Supervisor: Dance Department Faculty

Wage Range: $12.00-13.00/hour

Description of the Position: (Purpose of the Position): Veselica International Dance Ensemble is seeking applications for the Student Artistic Director position. The position involves working closely with both faculty artistic director Andrea Conger and a faculty mentor, prof. emeritus Anne von Bibra. The student artistic director will take the lead on an exciting new project offering student the opportunity to learn traditional dances, perform them at on and off campus community events, and engage community members in participatory dancing. The student artistic director will also assist more broadly in helping with various more general Veselica projects and consult on a Veselica choreographic project(s) to be performed at the spring dance concert.

Transferable Skills: Transferable skills provided by this position include: communication, collaboration, listening, leadership, problem solving, adaptability, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently as well as respectful community engagement, choreographic input, advertising and logistical elements, music technology for rehearsals, and background research. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

- Work closely with the director of Veselica

-Be involved in some of the artistic and choreographic decisions as well as the research and understanding behind them

-Lead effective rehearsals independently and assist students during rehearsals

-Attend all scheduled rehearsals (1.5 hours per week)

-Assist with costume fittings where needed (not sewing or constructing)

-Assist with music technology for rehearsals

-Assist with and have input on advertising and logistics

-Coordinate on and off campus community events

Qualifications: (Education/Experience/Skills) 

-Dance experience beyond the beginning level in any genre. Experience in Veselica for at least one year is preferred.

-Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills with presenters, organizers, community members, directors and peers.

-Must have good organizational skills and management of performance scheduling and logistics

-Must be able to take a leadership position with peers and lead an effective rehearsal independently

-An interest in folk and traditional dance at the community level preferred.

-The ability to help students learn movement material during rehearsals

-Certification to drive college vans is preferred.

-The ability to work independently with integrity

-Must be dependable, responsible, and punctual

Physical and Environmental Factors:

This position requires crouching, kneeling/crawling, stooping, twisting/pivoting, reaching overhead, and repetitive motions to perform the essential functions. It also requires exposure to loud noise and wet or humid conditions indoors, as well as rare exposure to vibrations to perform the essential functions. Candidates must possess the ability to safely perform the physical work required of all duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

This job description is for general information purposes.  It is not intended to list all duties and responsibilities of the position.  This job description is subject to change at any time by St. Olaf College, with or without prior notice.