YONA Teaching Artist- Cello

About The Role Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Term: Part time from September 2026 – June 2027

Salary: $29,000 – $31,000 for the position working 5 days per week

Hours: 5 days per week from approximately 2-6:30 pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Thursdays from 11-3:30 pm

Who We Are As one of Canada's premier music venues, the Francis Winspear Centre for Music provides musical experiences rooted in creativity, imagination, and excellence. We emphasize the importance of live experiences, hosting music groups and individuals of all abilities, anchored by our resident artists, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

Located on Indigenous peoples’ traditional lands, we believe music is an expressive language that unites people. We are dedicated to providing a safe, welcoming, and accessible space for our community to create, exhibit, and learn about music.

Since 1997, the Winspear Centre has been a cornerstone of Edmonton’s Arts District, welcoming 250,000 visitors annually for musical performances, rehearsals, literary events, meetings, receptions, graduations, and educational programs. Currently, we are expanding the Winspear Centre with a new second performance hall, classrooms, and mixed-use immersive spaces.

Learn more at winspearcentre.com.

The Youth Orchestra of Northern Alberta (YONA) Sistema program strives to have a lasting positive community impact by providing free music-centered programming for youth in Northern Alberta’s priority neighborhoods. Our team is passionate about introducing the richness of music to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity, and we believe that ensemble music making is a transformative experience.

We encourage you to visit our website to learn more: http://www.yona-sistema.com/.

Who You Are You have a strong background in your instrument(s), knowledge of music pedagogy, and experience working with children and youth. You love all aspects of music, you enjoy working on a team and bringing out the best in those around you. You are creative and flexible, you rise to challenges and you are not afraid to try new things. You are aligned with these values and want us to succeed together.

What We Can Offer You

• Paid flex days off to pursue performance or professional opportunities
• Paid professional development
• Team-based work environment offering training and support from experienced colleagues.
• Connection to the broader Winspear Centre organization, with opportunities to attend concerts and support non-YONA events and programs.
• Mission-driven work with noticeable impact on the students and communities served.
• Opportunity to share your love of music with others every day!

Job Summary The YONA-Sistema Teaching Artist is responsible for providing music instruction to groups of up to 20 students and work collaboratively with the YONA team to provide support for all students in the program.

This is a part time salaried contract position working 5 days/week from September to June. Contracts are considered for renewal on an annual basis.

The Teaching Artist will work at YONA-Sistema community sites during after-school hours. Planning and preparation time outside of these hours is included as an expectation of the role, and additional time is required throughout the year for concerts, events, staff meetings and professional development.

What You Will Do

• Provide daily instrumental music instruction to a group of up to 20 students
• Lead students in rehearsals and concerts
• Assist students with academic work, supervise break and snack times
• Work with a team of colleagues at your site and across all sites to provide support for all students in the program
• Collaborate with the entire YONA team to support strategic goals of the program
• Maintain positive relationships with multiple stakeholders
• Advocate for a program culture that runs according to YONA values, following trauma informed practice and with an eye to equity and inclusion
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Advanced training in cello
• Post-secondary education in music performance or education preferred
• Previous experience teaching your instrument(s) to groups of children
• Computer literacy, including familiarity with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and Google Suite
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to engage with diverse families
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Organized and detail-oriented
• Clear criminal record check including vulnerable sector search

Competencies

• General knowledge of elementary academic curriculum expectations
• Additional experience and/or interest in arranging, improvisation, conducting, composing an asset
• Knowledge of the El Sistema philosophy and awareness of music for social change programs
• Interest in social justice and knowledge of current trends in equity, diversity, and inclusion