Position: Level 1 Teaching Assistant
Site: Chesterfield Parks and Recreation-approved site, Chesterfield County, VA
Status: Part-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt
Pay: $18/hour, paid semi-monthly
Benefits: Paid time off, employee dental insurance, paid holidays, Simple IRA with employer match
Employment Period: September 8, 2026-May 28, 2027
Programming Period: October 5, 2026-May 24, 2027
Schedule: Preservice professional development is September 8-11, 2026, from 4:00-6:00 PM. Regular Level 1 programming begins October 5, 2026, and generally takes place Mondays and Wednesdays. The Teaching Assistant reports at 3:30 PM and remains through the last student departure, no later than 6:30 PM. The official student program is 4:15-6:15 PM. Additional professional development, planning, staff meetings as scheduled, and performances are required.
Reports To: Level 1 Director and Director of Programs and Community Engagement - Greater Richmond
Start Date: September 8, 2026
Close Date: Until filled
Application Procedure:
To apply, please email a cover letter, résumé/curriculum vitae, and three professional references to [email protected].
NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.
About Soundscapes Daily Programs: Soundscapes’ Daily Programs use the power of music to transform lives. Through ensemble-based learning, students discover their voice, develop confidence, and build the skills that help them thrive both on and off the stage. Inspired by the international El Sistema movement, Soundscapes creates joyful, high-energy learning environments where every child is seen, supported, and challenged to grow.
Since 2009, Soundscapes has partnered with public schools and community organizations to offer free, high-quality music education for young people. Our programs combine musicianship, creativity, and social-emotional learning in a multi-year continuum that begins with rhythmic play and singing and grows into full orchestral and jazz performance. Students progress through the program using Soundscapes’ nine-dimension developmental rubric, which tracks growth in musical and character-based skills.
Soundscapes launched its Chesterfield County program at Beulah Recreation Center in January 2026, bringing the first program of its kind to the Greater Richmond area. For the 2026-2027 school year, student programming is projected to operate at a Chesterfield Parks and Recreation-approved site, while preservice and scheduled professional development will take place at Beulah Recreation Center. The Chesterfield Daily Program provides a pathway from Level 1 Music Readiness into Level 2 Instrument Readiness and future ensemble participation.
Position Summary:
The Level 1 Teaching Assistant is a paid developmental employment opportunity for an emerging musician, educator, or youth leader who is ready to take on real responsibility while continuing to build professional skills. The Teaching Assistant supports the Level 1 Director during instruction and program operations, models positive musical and workplace habits for younger students, and gradually assumes small-group or whole-group teaching responsibilities as readiness develops.
This pathway is designed for candidates such as high school students, college students, recent graduates, or early-career musicians who have built skills through school, community, church, youth orchestra, El Sistema-inspired, or other music programs. Prior participation in Soundscapes is not required. The strongest candidates will be community-minded, artistically engaged, patient and empathetic communicators, and curious learners who seek feedback and use it to grow.
The Teaching Assistant will receive coaching, clear expectations, and opportunities to reflect on performance. This is paid work with professional standards, not a volunteer or observation role. Candidates are not expected to enter fully formed, but they must be dependable, prepared, responsive to feedback, and committed to the students and community Soundscapes serves.
Schedule and Travel: The Teaching Assistant reports at 3:30 PM on regular Level 1 program days and remains until the last student has departed, no later than 6:30 PM, subject to the official Soundscapes Chesterfield program calendar. Preservice and scheduled professional development will take place at Beulah Recreation Center. Student programming will take place at a Chesterfield Parks and Recreation-approved site. Occasional required travel to a Soundscapes Newport News site may be necessary for onboarding or professional development. Mileage for required travel will be reimbursed in accordance with Soundscapes policy.
Responsibilities:
- Arrive prepared and on time and model dependable, respectful, and professional workplace habits for students.
- Assist the Level 1 Director during singing, movement, music literacy, bucket band, recorder, exploratory-instrument, and ensemble activities.
- Lead warm-ups, small-group practice, transitions, or short instructional activities when assigned and prepared.
- Take on progressively greater teaching responsibility through coaching and demonstrated readiness, including leading a class segment or lesson when appropriate.
- Model foundational musicianship, instrument care, rehearsal etiquette, active listening, and positive participation.
- Build supportive relationships with students and reinforce high expectations with patience, empathy, fairness, and consistency.
- Help create a safe, joyful, structured, and inclusive environment where every student is seen and supported.
- Assist with student arrival, snack, attendance, session transitions, supervision, dismissal, and family events.
- Prepare, distribute, collect, and organize instruments, music, technology, and other instructional materials.
- Observe student engagement and progress and share relevant information with the Level 1 Director and site leadership.
- Participate actively in professional development, coaching conversations, staff meetings as scheduled, reflection, and feedback.
- Attend performances, field trips, family events, and special activities as required.
- Represent Soundscapes positively when interacting with students, families, colleagues, partners, and the public.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Demonstrated musical study and participation through a high school, college, community, church, youth ensemble, El Sistema-inspired program, or equivalent experience. A college music degree is not required.
- High school students, college students, recent graduates, and early-career applicants are encouraged to apply.
- Ability to sing and/or perform on a principal instrument well enough to model basic musical concepts and healthy performance habits.
- Interest in music education, youth development, community service, and the use of music as a vehicle for social change.
- Patience, empathy, clear communication, and the ability to build respectful relationships with elementary-age students.
- Dependability, punctuality, preparation, and willingness to follow through on assigned responsibilities.
- Curiosity, self-awareness, and willingness to receive coaching, reflect, and apply feedback.
- Ability to work collaboratively, ask questions, and communicate concerns appropriately.
- Prior teaching, tutoring, camp, mentoring, or youth-leadership experience is helpful but not required.
- Regular access to a computer and basic familiarity with Google Drive and Docs, or willingness to learn.
- Reliable transportation or a dependable plan to arrive at the Chesterfield program and professional development sites on time.
- Employment is contingent upon a successful background check and completion of any applicable youth-employment documentation.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for performances, trips, or special events.
- Finalists will sing and/or perform on a principal instrument and lead a short instructional activity during the interview process.
Mission:
To invest in our communities by providing immersive, engaging music-making and ensemble performance opportunities for young people to strengthen social, emotional, creative, and critical thinking skills.
Our Values:
Impact: At the heart of Soundscapes’ success is the strong belief in the power of music education to change lives and the understanding that all children have valuable contributions to make both musically and to our community.
Community: Soundscapes relies on a strong public-private partnership with local government entities such as the school system and parks and recreation, as well as individual and business supporters, to give back to the community by reaching individual students in a way that they grow not only in musical quality but in positive behavior, civic leadership, and academic curiosity.
Equity: Soundscapes believes all students have the right to reach their full potential.
Excellence: Soundscapes holds our staff, our teachers, our board, the schools, our students, and our educational values to the highest standards.
Sustainability: Soundscapes is committed to sustaining free musical instruction and performance opportunities for all youth in first grade through age twenty-five through sound fiscal responsibility; dedicated teachers, families, staff, and school leaders; and cherished partnerships with our kind donors, political leaders, business leaders, and community friends.
Fun: Soundscapes believes in giving our students an exciting and engaging experience while increasing their exposure to the world and music education in a safe, inspiring environment.
El Sistema:
Soundscapes is inspired by El Sistema, a youth orchestra program that originated in Venezuela over forty years ago. Now found in over 65 countries, El Sistema-inspired programs use music education and performance opportunities to build skills young people need to thrive and become engaged citizens. Soundscapes is the fourth-oldest organization in the United States, inspired by El Sistema, the first in Virginia, and a leader among American programs.
Soundscapes is a proud founding member of El Sistema USA, and several staff members have served on the ESUSA Board of Directors. This national alliance allows members to share resources, values, aspirations, and advocacy efforts.
For more information about Soundscapes, please visit our website at www.soundscapeshr.org
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Soundscapes is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.
Pay: $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
