West African Percussion Accompanist (Substitute)

Summary: Old Town School of Folk Music seeks an experienced, and enthusiastic West African percussionist to provide live accompaniment for West African dance classes in our Adult and Kids dance programs. This role is essential in creating an authentic and dynamic environment that supports the energy and rhythm of West African dance instruction.

Schedule: Mostly evenings, but varies based on class needs.

Location:
Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park

Responsibilities:

• Provide live West African percussion accompaniment for dance classes, ensuring rhythms align with the movements and choreography taught by the instructor.
• Collaborate closely with dance instructors to develop and execute engaging class experiences that reflect the cultural and rhythmic traditions of West African dance.
• Maintain a supportive and inclusive environment for students of all skill levels.
• Assist in creating a vibrant and authentic cultural experience by demonstrating a deep understanding of West African musical traditions.
• Substitute for other percussionists as needed to ensure continuity in class rhythm and energy.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of two years of experience as a West African percussionist, with expertise in traditional rhythms and instruments such as djembe, dunun, or other related percussion instruments.
• Familiarity with West African dance styles and the ability to adapt percussion to complement various movements and tempos.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with instructors and students.
• Previous experience working in a dance class setting is preferred.
• Flexibility to work at both our Lincoln Park and Lincoln Square locations.
• Availability for evening and weekend classes.

If interested and qualified, please apply through our Career Center.

About Old Town School of Folk Music

Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music (“OTSFM”) is the largest community school of the arts in the U.S. and a non-profit organization committed to celebrating American music and global cultures. Founded in 1957, Old Town School provides various music, dance, and arts courses to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Whatever one's interest, Old Town School provides broad access to more than 700 weekly class offerings, a broad array of private lessons, and over 400 concerts and community events per year.

Old Town School of Folk Music opened its Lincoln Square facility in 1998 and expanded in 2012. The Old Town School operates two campuses in Chicago's Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, including world-class concert halls, classrooms, an award-winning music store, and a music resource center. Online classes were introduced in 2020 and students from nearly every state and a dozen countries participated throughout the pandemic. Children's classes are also held at several suburban satellite locations. More information is available at oldtownschool.org

Equal Employment Opportunity

OTSFM is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. OTS strives to be an inclusive and equitable organization that reflects the diversity of the city of Chicago. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. This is critical to our success as a community-focused organization.