AileyCamp Dance Instructors; Jazz, Ballet and African Dance

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

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We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Cal Performances presents and produces outstanding artists from the Bay Area, the United States, and around the world in performances and community programs that promote excellence, innovation, diversity, education, and community involvement, with the fundamental belief that the arts are vital to our society locally, nationally, and internationally. Berkeley/Oakland AileyCamp at Cal Performances is a program of the Education Department. Cal Performances supports AileyCamp with an array of professional performing arts services, including but not limited to marketing, public relations, facilities including Zellerbach Auditorium, and a full professional technical staff.

AileyCamp is a nationally proven arts education program that uses dance as a vehicle for developing self-esteem, creative expression, and critical thinking skills among 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students (aged 11-14) from underserved communities. AileyCamp also provides exceptional dance training to middle school students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The project was inspired by the work of the late Alvin Ailey, internationally renowned dance artist, choreographer, and founder of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.

The AileyCamp Dance Instructors will teach, model, and support student learning in and through dance techniques to the AileyCampers. Specific techniques in Jazz, Modern (Horton technique), African, and Ballet are detailed below. The dance faculty consists of four instructors working collaboratively with the AileyCamp directors, Guidance Counselor, Creative Communications instructor, Personal Development instructor, and a staff of Group Leaders to ensure a supportive professional environment.

The First Review Date for this job is: April 4, 2025

• Part-time: Support AileyCamp preparatory events such as the AileyCamp Family Orientation on May 14, 2025.
• Full-time: Five-day work week - Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., from June 9 - July 25, 2025 (and until 9:30 pm on 7/24 performance night) for all weeks employed.)
• Teach up to four classes per day, four days per week, or as determined by the AileyCamp directors.
• Participate in the general oversight of the campers, including at assigned meal times and camper-free periods, including but not limited to assisting with other class engagement, support Group Leaders in their oversight of individual groups of campers, provide supervision during lunch and breaks as assigned on a rotating basis, and take on projects in support of camp, production preparation, and audience engagement.
• Participate in individual and AileyCamp staff meetings, including scheduled meetings during working meals and at least two after-camp meetings a week.
• Plan lessons that will develop physical and mental stamina, agility, grace, cooperative work, and an appreciation for the joys of rigorous discipline among youth.
• Provide schedule and description of proposed class content to AileyCamp directors for final approvals and integration with the whole camp curriculum.
• Coordinate with Group Leaders, Group Leader Mentor, and other staff to assess campers' individual needs, and support them in interventions to meet these needs.
• Produce camper progress evaluations, documentation for Camp Anthology, and other materials celebrating the campers' experience.
• Choreograph a camper presentation for the final performance.
  

Position Controls:
The AileyCamp Dance Instructors report to the AileyCamp Directors and will work with them to develop final showcase performances. They will work closely with the other AileyCamp Instructors, faculty, and staff, contributing to an ensemble of adult mentors and providers to create a safe and holistic environment for the campers, their colleagues, and visitors. Incumbents operate with considerable independence within the parameters of the camp structure, with the freedom to make daily decisions within the scope of University policies, Cal Performances mission and vision, program plans, and established needs of teaching and performance programs.

• Requires prior experience as a professional dancer and dance instructor in Jazz, Modern (Horton
  technique), Ballet, or at least one regional dance of Africa.
• Demonstrated experience working with urban children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, identified as having one or more of the following at-risk factors: living with a single parent or no parent; having a sibling who dropped out of school or became a school-age parent; having difficulty with the traditional school structure as determined by teacher observation; or having low self-esteem.
• Familiarity with and/or ability to be trained in and implement youth-centered learning frameworks.
• Excellent leadership skills including an ability to command respect and motivate achievement while working effectively with young people, serving as a positive influence and model for disciplined practice, healthy personal habits, and respectful communication with campers and with your peers.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to relate well to diverse persons, and actively work as part of an ensemble with a shared mission to support campers and camp activities in whatever manner is needed.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines in a self-directed, prioritized, and calm manner.
• Flexibility to meet changing needs and priorities as they occur.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, cheerful collaborator, able and willing to take initiative to accomplish or support others in accomplishing tasks related to the successful and smooth operation of the camp.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background check.
• Must complete all UC Berkeley-mandated training for employees by the deadlines given.
• Must comply with UC Berkeley's Covid-19 policies for employees.
  

For Jazz Dance:

A basic understanding of the principles of jazz dance including jazz hands, jazz walks, jazz runs, leaps, jazz slides, step-ball changes, and energy focus, and demonstrated success contributing to an ensemble work environment requiring willingness and ability to take on tasks outside the dance classroom.

For Ballet:

Ballet techniques including placement, posture, carriage, alignment, strength, flexibility, and style of arms, legs, and torso, as well as stretches, plies, leaps, turns, and combinations; and demonstrated success contributing to an ensemble work environment requiring willingness and ability to take on tasks outside the dance classroom.

For African Dance:

Basic understanding of a region of Africa through teaching its culture, music, and dances; and demonstrated success contributing to an ensemble work environment requiring willingness and ability to take on tasks outside the dance classroom.

• Experience choreographing for youth of varying abilities.
• Experience with the frameworks of youth development and youth-centered learning environments.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on the final candidate's qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is:

Part-Time $22/hr for the period of March 17 - June 6, 2025
Full-Time $6,160 total for the period of June 9 - July 25, 2025

$22/hr for period of March 17 - June 6, 2025 (PT)

This is a limited position

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

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The University of California's Affirmative Action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.