Teaching Artist

POSITION SUMMARY
The LACO Teaching Artist cohort is a vibrant community of composers, performers, and educators who bring music to life for students across Los Angeles County through accessible and engaging music curricula. Selected by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra for their artistic excellence and passion for education, LACO Teaching Artists are young professionals who are looking to further their teaching experience and expand their impact within and beyond the classroom. Working closely with the Director of Learning, Teaching Artists will lead students in immersive experiences centered on active listening, movement, collaborative learning, and creative expression. This is an opportunity to inspire the next generation while deepening your own artistic and pedagogical practices. LACO Teaching Artists are not only skilled musicians and composers, but also empathetic educators committed to equity, creativity, and community impact.

Our in-school residencies run in two semesters:
Meet the Artists (September-November): an 8-week repertoire-focused program immersing students in concert repertoire and living composers
Meet the Music (January-April): a 10-week composition-focused program where students create original works and explore individuality

Teaching Artists play a vital role in LACO’s broader learning initiatives, including participating in Family Days, mentoring students from the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA), and participating in special projects, which may fall outside the regular season.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Engage with diverse student populations in grades 3-12 with provided curriculum varying from music appreciation, music history, basic music theory, and music composition
Must be able to teach a minimum of five (5) hours per week
Facilitate hands-on activities in all aspects of music learning and creative expression
Aid students in creating and arranging a composition of a piece of music approximately 1 minutes in length, to be performed at the final Meet the Music culminating concert
Participate in professional development retreats and lesson planning sessions
Collaborate with LACO staff, classroom teachers, fellow Teaching Artists, and LACO musicians
Support student engagement during culminating events and field trips
Act as ambassadors for LACO’s mission
Participate in other LACO events and collaborations as Department of Learning representatives

QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Music with emphasis in composition or related field
Minimum of 1-2 years teaching experience, K-12 preferred
Proficient in at least one instrument
Expertise in using digital composition tools
Knowledgeable in chamber and orchestral classical repertoire
Reliable transportation to school sites across LA
Excellent communication and organizational skills
Willingness to work some evenings and weekends depending on classes, rehearsals, and events
Must be able to transport supplies to location and occasionally lift up to 35 pounds
Must satisfactorily pass a CA DOJ background check to work with LAUSD partners
COMPENSATION & RESOURCES
1,500 USD honorarium
Teaching Rate: 50 USD / hour
Administrative Rate: 40 USD / hour
Professional development opportunities
Complimentary tickets to select LACO concerts
Invitation to all Sound Investment salons

All classes and events will be held in-person, some meetings may be virtual.

APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, please submit the following:
Resume: outlining both artistic and teaching experience
Personal Statement: no longer than 500 words
Work Sample: (at least 5 minutes in length, any instrumentation, string ensemble preferred)
Teaching Sample: (optional, strongly encouraged) Submit a 3-5 minute video breaking down one of the following foundational principles of music [rhythm, melody, or harmony] for elementary students. (ie. You introducing the concept or you leading an activity within that concept.)
Two References: (contact information only)

Email your materials with the subject line “Teaching Artist Application” to [email protected] and include the following in the body of the email.
Full Legal Name
Preferred Email (if different from the one you’re sending from)
Phone Number
School/Affiliated Organization, if applicable, or: how you heard about this opportunity.

APPLY BY JULY 1, 2026