Teaching Artist YOLA - HOLA (Clarinet)

Position: Teaching Artist – Clarinet 

Department: Learning – YOLA 
Status: Part-Time 
Reports to: Associate Operations Director 
Instrument Focus: Clarinet 
Primary Work Location: Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), Los Angeles, CA 
FLSA Grade: Non-Exempt 

About Learning at the LA Phil 

Leading the LA Phil's strategic engagement with youth and education across Los Angeles, the Learning programs at the LA Phil champion the organization's investment in the larger arts ecosystem while providing thought leadership and advocacy for youth engagement program models that uplift and inspire. 

About the YOLA Program 

Mission Statement 

YOLA provides transformational and equitable access to music education for young people from underserved communities, to support their personal development, their communities, and beyond. 

The work of YOLA is focused in two areas: 

• Local programs, which directly serve communities across Los Angeles. 

• National programs, which provide opportunities for young musicians, teaching artists, program administrators, and other stakeholders to learn from and create community with one another. 

YOLA Vision for Impact 

By 2035, YOLA is serving well over 4,000 students across LA County. Thousands of alumni believe the transformative experience of playing music with the YOLA community contributed to their personal development, a path to excellence, and a deep and lasting love of music, motivating them to meaningfully contribute as adults to the creative industry ecosystem. 

Program Summary 

YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) is LA Phil's signature education program, inspired by El Sistema and led by Gustavo Dudamel. YOLA provides over 1,700 students annually with access to instruments, high-quality music instruction, performance opportunities, and holistic support at no cost. 

The work of YOLA focuses on: 

• Local programs serving communities across Los Angeles 

• National programs supporting musicians, educators, and administrators 

About Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) 

Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) provides underserved youth with exceptional programs in academics, arts, and athletics within a nurturing environment, empowering them to develop their potential, pursue their education, and strengthen their communities. HOLA's core values are Respect, Responsibility, Positive Communication, Inclusion, and Support. 

As a long-standing YOLA partner site, HOLA supports students and families in the Rampart District through comprehensive youth development programming and access to high-quality music education opportunities. 

Position Summary 

The Clarinet Teaching Artist is a core member of YOLA's faculty, delivering high-quality, culturally responsive instruction at the Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) site. This role includes private lessons, sectionals, ensemble rehearsals, and classroom instruction while fostering a supportive, inclusive, and student-centered musical environment. 

The Teaching Artist brings strong artistic and pedagogical expertise in clarinet instruction, working with students across multiple skill levels. Instruction is primarily delivered after school during the academic year, with occasional evening and weekend rehearsals, performances, and community events. 

YOLA's educational outcomes are grounded in: 

• Artistic Formation 

• Community & Life Skills 

• Opportunity & Access 

Position Elements 

• Teach group classes, sectionals, private lessons, and ensemble coaching with a focus on clarinet tone production, embouchure development, breath support, articulation, finger technique, intonation, musicianship, and stylistic interpretation. 

• Deliver culturally responsive, sequential instruction aligned with YOLA curriculum, benchmarks, and student learning outcomes. 

• Develop foundational and advanced clarinet skills while fostering musical independence and ensemble awareness. 

• Coach students toward measurable growth through juries, assessments, rehearsals, performances, and individualized learning goals. 

• Support orchestra, wind ensemble, chamber ensemble, and sectional rehearsals by modeling and performing within the clarinet section as needed. 

• Collaborate with conductors, faculty, and curriculum leads on repertoire selection, instructional strategies, and student development. 

• Foster an inclusive, respectful classroom environment that builds confidence, belonging, creativity, and artistic identity. 

• Promote leadership, accountability, discipline, and community engagement among students. 

• Communicate proactively with families, site staff, and YOLA leadership regarding student progress, attendance, and engagement. 

• Prepare students for auditions, honor bands, honor orchestras, youth ensembles, summer programs, and other advanced musical opportunities. 

• Identify and address barriers to participation, access, and student success. 

• Participate in professional development, peer observations, training opportunities, and faculty meetings. 

• Uphold YOLA's Code of Conduct and professional standards at all times. 

• Support performances, concerts, family engagement activities, community events, and HOLA site-based programming. 

• Collaborate with HOLA staff and YOLA leadership to support student recruitment, retention, and overall program success. 

Evaluation & Professional Growth 

• Set and track individualized professional goals. 

• Participate in coaching, feedback cycles, and cross-site learning communities. 

• Engage in structured evaluations including classroom observations and stakeholder feedback. 

• Receive support and performance benchmarks when necessary. 

• Incorporate feedback from observations, students, families, and leadership to continuously improve instructional practice. 

Mandated Reporter & Code of Conduct 

As a Teaching Artist working with minors, this role is designated as a mandated reporter under California law. Responsibilities include: 

• Reporting suspected child abuse or neglect. 

• Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. 

• Supporting a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment. 

• Seeking guidance when concerns arise. 

Shared YOLA Values 

• Self-Respect and Respect for Community 

• Safety (for Self and Community) 

• Curiosity 

• Inclusion 

• Collaboration 

• Creativity 

Position Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) in Music Performance, Music Education, or a related field with a focus on clarinet. 

• Minimum two years of teaching experience in private lessons, classroom instruction, youth orchestras, bands, or ensemble settings. 

• Strong knowledge of clarinet pedagogy across beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. 

• Experience working with diverse student populations and fostering equitable learning environments. 

• Commitment to culturally responsive, student-centered teaching practices. 

• Strong classroom management skills and ability to adapt instruction to varying student needs and learning styles. 

• Excellent communication, collaboration, organizational, and relationship-building skills. 

• Experience working within youth development, community music, after-school, or El Sistema-inspired programming preferred. 

• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred. 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association is committed to diversity and inclusion and does not discriminate on any legally protected basis. Reasonable accommodations are provided in accordance with applicable laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. 

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and the California Fair Chance Act.  

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association is committed to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Association does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and religious grooming), sex (including pregnancy, perceived pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition or information, genetic information, marital status, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.  Consistent with applicable law, the Association also provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures.