Hip-Hop Dance Instructor
After-School Arts Program | Washington, D.C.
Immediate Opening
Arts4Schools is seeking an experienced and engaging Hip-Hop Dance Instructor/Teaching Artist to lead an after-school hip-hop dance program for K-12 students in Washington, D.C.
Arts4Schools is a nonprofit arts education organization providing professional arts instruction and creative learning experiences to students during the school day and through after-school programs.
We are looking for an instructor who can teach students more than choreography. Students should learn the foundations, vocabulary, history, musicality, technique, culture, creativity, and professional expectations of hip-hop dance.
Program Schedule
Current instructional block: (Show video of work/have references on hand)
3:45 PM to 4:45 PM
Additional instructional opportunities may become available based on school programming needs.
What Students Should Learn
The Hip-Hop Dance Instructor will provide structured, age-appropriate instruction that introduces students to the foundations of hip-hop movement and culture.
Instruction should include areas such as:
- Basic hip-hop dance terminology
- Rhythm and musicality
- Counting music and recognizing 8-count phrases
- Grooves and foundational movement
- Bounce and rock
- Body isolations
- Footwork
- Levels and directional changes
- Weight shifts and transitions
- Coordination and body control
- Dynamics and movement quality
- Freestyle and improvisation
- Choreography retention
- Performance combinations
- Stage spacing and formations
- Partner and group movement
- Facial expression and performance energy
- Confidence and stage presence
Depending on age and skill level, students may also be introduced to foundational styles and movements such as:
- Breaking fundamentals
- Popping
- Locking
- Party dances
- Old-school hip-hop movement
- Commercial hip-hop choreography
- Freestyle circles and cyphers
Students should learn not only how to perform movement, but also how to identify what they are doing, understand where it comes from, and develop their own artistic voice.
Hip-Hop Culture and History
The instructor should introduce students to the cultural roots and history of hip-hop in an age-appropriate and respectful manner.
Instruction may include:
- The origins of hip-hop culture
- The development of hip-hop dance
- The importance of community and self-expression
- The relationship between dance, music, DJing, emceeing, and visual art
- The difference between foundational hip-hop styles and commercial choreography
- Influential dancers, choreographers, and cultural contributors
- Respect for the communities and traditions from which hip-hop developed
Students should understand that hip-hop is not simply a collection of popular dance moves. It is an art form with history, language, technique, and cultural significance.
Musicality and Creative Expression
Students should learn to listen to music as dancers.
The instructor should help students explore:
- Beat recognition
- Tempo
- Rhythm
- Lyrics
- Musical accents
- Changes in instrumentation
- Dynamics
- Phrasing
- Movement interpretation
Students should be encouraged to create their own short combinations, freestyle movements, and choreographic ideas while learning how professional choreographers build movement around music.
Professional Arts Education
The instructor should expose students to the professional world of dance.
Students should learn about:
- The role of the professional dancer
- Choreographers and dance captains
- Rehearsal expectations
- Audition preparation
- Learning choreography quickly
- Taking corrections
- Working as part of an ensemble
- Professional behavior
- Dance etiquette
- Preparation for performances
Students should begin to understand the discipline required to work professionally in dance, music videos, theater, concerts, touring productions, commercial dance, and other performance settings.
End-of-Quarter Performance
The Hip-Hop Dance Instructor will prepare students for an end-of-quarter performance or showcase demonstrating the skills, terminology, choreography, musicality, and performance techniques learned throughout the program.
The instructor will be responsible for:
- Developing age-appropriate choreography
- Building choreography from skills taught throughout the quarter
- Rehearsing students consistently
- Teaching formations, spacing, entrances, exits, and transitions
- Developing performance confidence and stage presence
- Preparing students to perform as an ensemble
- Ensuring music, choreography, and presentation are school-appropriate
- Working with Arts4Schools and school personnel to prepare for the culminating presentation
The final performance should demonstrate clear student growth and allow families and the school community to see what students have learned.
Instructor Responsibilities
The Hip-Hop Dance Instructor will:
- Develop structured weekly lesson plans
- Teach progressive hip-hop skills and vocabulary
- Teach proper warm-up, conditioning, and cool-down practices
- Introduce students to hip-hop history and culture
- Incorporate musicality and rhythm exercises
- Provide opportunities for improvisation and creativity
- Develop age-appropriate choreography
- Adapt instruction for different ages and skill levels
- Maintain a safe, positive, and organized classroom environment
- Manage student behavior professionally
- Track student participation and artistic growth
- Encourage confidence, creativity, discipline, and teamwork
- Arrive prepared and on time for all classes and rehearsals
- Communicate professionally with Arts4Schools and school staff
- Prepare students for the required end-of-quarter performance or showcase
Qualifications
Candidates should have:
- Strong training and experience in hip-hop dance
- Knowledge of hip-hop foundations, terminology, musicality, and culture
- Professional performance, choreography, studio, collegiate, or teaching experience
- Experience teaching children or young people
- Ability to break down choreography and movement for beginning students
- Ability to create engaging, age-appropriate choreography
- Strong musical and rhythmic skills
- Ability to teach freestyle and creative movement
- Strong classroom and behavior-management skills
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
- Dependability, professionalism, and enthusiasm for arts education
A degree in dance is welcomed but is not required when the candidate can demonstrate substantial professional training and teaching experience.
DCPS Clearance Requirements
Candidates must be able to meet all requirements for working with students in DC Public Schools.
Applicants must:
- Be able to successfully complete all required background checks and clearances
- Meet applicable fingerprinting and school safety requirements
- Be eligible to receive DCPS clearance
Applicants who are already DCPS-cleared are strongly encouraged to apply.
About Arts4Schools
Arts4Schools provides professional arts education experiences for K-12 students through artist residencies, after-school programs, assemblies, performances, workshops, and interdisciplinary arts programming.
Our goal is not simply to teach students a dance routine. We want students to understand the history, vocabulary, technique, musicality, culture, creativity, and professional practices behind the art form.
If you are an experienced hip-hop dancer or choreographer who enjoys teaching young people and believes students deserve to learn the true foundations of the art form, we invite you to apply.
Immediate placement opportunities are available in Washington, D.C.
Pay: $34.29 - $38.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
