Overview
The Position:
This Ballet Director position is a full-time teaching job as lead instructor and choreographer for intermediate and advanced ballet classes. We are open to the position being filled by a couple. The Ballet Director is responsible for teaching ballet classes, creating ballet choreography and for providing artistic and program support to the Reif Dance program. The Ballet Director is also responsible for setting “The Nutcracker Ballet” and for creating additional choreography for the other two annual dance productions. S/he acts as the director for the Reif Dance Company and is a key part of the Reif Dance program. The Ballet Director works directly with James Sewell (Artistic Advisor) and reports to David Marty (Reif Arts Council President).
Specific Responsibilities:
1. Teach 18-20 scheduled class hours of ballet per week when classes are in session (primarily intermediate and advanced ballet and beginning through advanced pointe).
2. Teach classical ballet curriculum while cultivating an interest in pushing its boundaries.
3. Teach and assist in the Reif Summer Dance Intensive program.
4. Choreograph and support three major dance performances each year (separate from class time). This includes primary responsibility for “The Nutcracker Ballet”.
5. Develop, teach, and evaluate students using appropriate ballet curriculum
6. Collaborate with the Artistic Advisor and the Dance Program Director on informal workshops, mini-tours and lecture demonstrations for the public throughout the year.
7. Support the Dance Program Director and other staff in student recruitment, registration, maintenance of attendance records, collecting payments, etc.
8. Assist the Dance Program Director and Artistic Advisor in student placement.
9. Assist in various Community Outreach projects
10. Advise and consult with the Dance Program Director on dance issues and program policy, including curriculum, class assignments and teaching schedules.
11. Remain knowledgeable about the overall goals, objectives and work plan of the Reif Arts Council, and attend weekly staff meetings.
12. Support major events and activities of the Reif Arts Council, including fund raising and programming.
In the completion of all duties, the Ballet Director reports to the Dance Program Director. S/he is eligible for benefits as described in the Reif Arts Council Personnel Policy, including an HSA medical coverage plan, paid vacation and sick leave. This is a full-time position and hours may be somewhat irregular in the completion of duties. This position may be shared by two instructors. There are no provisions for payment for overtime or other production/choreography responsibilities.
EMPLOYMENT: This is a full time position and hours may be somewhat irregular in the completion of duties. This job description should not be considered a contract for employment for any specific period of time, or with any specific salary or benefits. The Reif Arts Council is an at-will employer.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate will have advanced training and preparation in ballet, with a demonstrated ability to teach dance. S/he will relate well with dancers, especially young students and work well with professional colleagues. Candidates with a teaching credential will have an advantage, as will candidates with performance experience or choreography credits. Communication skills will be especially important in keeping parents involved. All teachers must have a background check before working with students.
ANTICIPATED START DATE: The starting date is flexible, but not later than September 1, 2015.
SALARY RANGE: This is a full time position with a strong benefits package currently including paid vacation and paid health insurance. Salary is currently budgeted up to $30K, contingent upon experience.
TO APPLY:
· Submit a cover letter
· Submit a current resume with three (3) references we may contact
· Provide a sample of teaching and/or performing work, if available
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin ASAP.
CONTACT:
David Marty, President
Reif Arts Council
720 Conifer Drive
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Phone: 218.327.5780
E-mail: dmarty@reifcenter.org
About Reif Dance
THE REIF DANCE PROGRAM:
The Reif Dance Program started as a project of the Reif Arts Council in 1988 with a handful of students. Today there are nearly 200 students starting as young a 4 years of age. It is a ballet-based program, with strong modern, jazz, tap and dance fundamentals classes. In September of 2011, the Reif Dance Program entered into a formal partnership with James Sewell Ballet (JSB) of Minneapolis, and James Sewell was named the Artistic Advisor for the Reif Dance Program. This partnership entails regular master classes and performances by James Sewell and JSB in Grand Rapids and frequent visits by Reif Dance students to the JSB studios in Minneapolis. Some of our students aspire to become a member of the Reif Dance Company, a 15-20 member performance group. In recent years our students have gone on to study with Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet II, Alvin Ailey and Royal Winnipeg Ballet among others. There are two full-time, and several part-time dance instructors. Various guest choreographers, guest workshops and master classes round out students’ enriched dance experiences. There are three state-of-the-art dance rehearsal studios (1,200 sq ft, 1,800 sq ft and 2,250 sq ft), plus access to a large stage with professional lighting and sound support for performances. The Reif Dance Program presents three full dance productions each year, including a “Nutcracker” in December, a “Company Show,” and a spring production in June. Guest choreographers and touring dance companies regularly schedule performances, residencies and workshops for the students.
THE REIF ARTS COUNCIL ORGANIZATION:
The Reif Arts Council is a private, non-profit arts organization created to stimulate growth in the arts in Northern Minnesota and to provide a well-managed facility in which a wide variety of the arts may be experienced, exhibited and taught. The Arts Council makes its home in The Reif Performing Arts Center, a state-of the art presenting facility built in 1980 and owned by Grand Rapids Public School (ISD #318), including a 645-seat auditorium. There are currently eight full-time and several part-time employees working together to accomplish the vision set by a fifteen-member board of directors. The current budget is approximately $950,000 per year. Visit the website for additional information (www.reifcenter.org)
