NúcleoCoronaBlog

It was about ten years ago that I visited Corona for the first time and found one of the most thriving communities I've encountered in New York City. Corona is a community in Queens, NY, that is incredibly enthusiastic about education and access to the arts for their children. In a neighborhood known for having the most overcrowded schools in the country, it seemed to me like an ideal neighborhood to start a new El Sistema-inspired program. As you know, El Sistema is a network of orchestras, teachers, and students devoted to building stronger communities by empowering children through cooperative musical accomplishment. El Sistema started in Venezuela in 1975. It has produced hundreds of youth and children's orchestras around the globe, and benefited thousands of children and youth, including Gustavo Dudamel, now Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

I envisioned an orchestra deeply rooted in Corona. It would foster children and youth into playing, mentoring, and leading music education programs for many more children in their neighborhood. I dreamed that this program would become a second family and the soul of the community. So in August 2010, we gathered 100 children from Corona for a chorus camp as a startup project. The response from the children and families involved was terrific! We soon moved on to create our first children's orchestra. The waitlists to join the orchestra program have exceeded our expectations. I discovered that music plays a vital role in what makes the soul of Corona. Fast forward to 2019: The Corona Youth Music Project (CYMP) has grown to have three graded orchestras, including the Corona Youth Orchestra. Some of the students that started with us back in 2010, now in high school and college, are still members of this ensemble. They have decided that music-making will continue to be a part of their lives.

This year, as we head into our 10th Anniversary, we continue to offer tuition-free opportunities to be part of an orchestra and to learn an orchestral instrument. But our goals go beyond that. Following the El Sistema model of peer mentoring and putting trust in the immense potential of the youth, Corona students as young as eight years old are encouraged to coach their younger peers. Thus, the culture of our orchestras emphasizes collaboration, solidarity, and leadership. Students in middle and high school receive instruction in leadership models, music pedagogy, and social justice through our Youth Mentoring Program. Over 15 students have had opportunities to lead workshops and rehearsals for the younger orchestras and pre-orchestra programs.

The goal is that soon, a group of local young professionals who have grown in this orchestra will lead CYMP. Through their participation, our students have built a strong sense of community through music-making and coaching. We are very close to reaching that goal: one of our students, now in college, has become and the newest violin instructor on our payroll. We hope to hire more in the next school year.

The cost for each student to participate in the orchestra for in 2019-2020 is only about $800. Please consider sponsoring a student throughout the year.

Position: Clarinet Teaching Artist at PS19Q, School Year 2017-2018 

Hours: 3 hours per week, after school (4:00-7:00pm. Schedule negotiable) 

Start Date: October 2nd 2017

Pay: Hourly rate, based on class size

Reports To: Music Director 

The Corona Youth Music Project (CYMP) is an El Sistema-inspired community program in Queens, New York City. Its orchestra program currently has 3 orchestras at different ages groups and musical levels, as well as an orchestral initiation program. Its curriculum is flexible, and its core academic goals are directly connected with the repertoire selected for each orchestra during the current year. CYMP’s vision is to saturate Corona, Queens with community and school orchestras, while striving for musical excellence and fostering youth leadership. It is committed to build a healthy, safe, fun and positive community through the orchestra, and welcomes students from different ages, cultural and academic backgrounds. 

Position Summary: 

The Teaching Artist (TA) is responsible for working with 3 small groups of clarinet students (from 3rd to 10th grades, 2-4 students each). Some of the classes may include one or more student peer mentors, with whom the TA will work in collaboration, assigning weekly teaching tasks and goals, and providing guidance and support in technical and pedagogical issues. The TA will plan efficient lessons that include technique study, repertoire study, music theory, rehearsal and performance etiquette, and an element of play with the participation of the peer mentors. The TA will be responsible for classroom management, including student behavior during lessons and passing periods. 

Responsibilities and duties:

Teach small-group clarinet lessons for students in from 3rd to 10th grades.

Develop students’ music reading skills and basic music theory knowledge.

Work in collaboration with student peer mentors.

Attend 2 student performances during the year.

Implement CYMP yearly musical goals, in coordination with the full team of teaching artists.

Participate in the supervision of students, including sign-in and dismissal.

Communicate with parents when necessary.

Attend occasional staff meetings and professional-development sessions.

Be rigorous in taking student attendance.

Collaborate in any other documentation of the program that may take place, to include photography, filming, or recording.

Maintain good communication with the director, TAs, volunteers and partners, as well as with students and their families. 

Required Qualifications:

Excellent musicianship and artistry as clarinet teacher/performer.

Strong knowledge of standard music pedagogy.

Experience with beginning clarinet students, as young as 2nd grade.

Basic understanding and commitment to the El Sistema ethos and CYMP’s culture.

Ability to work effectively in collaboration with young people (Middle school age) both as a teacher and as a peer.

Strong organization skills, professionalism and commitment to excellence.

Successfully pass a NYC Dept. of Education and Dept. of Health background checks.

Four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent experience required.

Interest and ability to be a motivational mentor and role model for students, parents, and peers as an artist, teacher and citizen.

Expectations: 

The TA will have lesson plans for each group, that follow the overall goals of CYMP, and that will meet the abilities and challenges of the average student in each group. They will include standard teaching methods chosen by the TA in collaboration with CYMP’s director, and will cover technical aspects related to the orchestra repertoire. The TA will make a concerted effort to be available for all lessons, rehearsals, and performances, and when not available will communicate the unavailability in a timely manner with to the Director. 

An Equal Opportunity Employer The Corona Youth Music Project provides all persons with equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or age. 

Job Opening Position: Violin and/or Viola Teaching Artist at PS19Q, School Year 2017-2018

Hours: 3-6 hours per week, after school (4:00-7:00pm. Schedule negotiable)

Start Date: October 2nd 2017.

Pay: Hourly rate, based on class size.

Reports To: Music Director.

The Corona Youth Music Project (CYMP) is an El Sistema-inspired community program in Queens, New York City. Its orchestra program currently has 3 orchestras at different ages groups and musical levels, as well as an orchestral initiation program. Its curriculum is flexible, and its core academic goals are directly connected with the repertoire selected for each orchestra during the current year. CYMP’s vision is to saturate Corona, Queens with community and school orchestras, while striving for musical excellence and fostering youth leadership. It is committed to build a healthy, safe, fun and positive community through the orchestra, and welcomes students from different ages, cultural and academic backgrounds.

Position Summary: 

The Teaching Artist (TA) is responsible for working with 3 small groups of viola students (from 2nd to 10th grades, 3-5 students) and one large group of violin students (2nd-4th grades, up to 25 students). Some of the classes include one or more student peer mentors, with whom the TA will work in collaboration, assigning weekly teaching tasks and goals, and providing guidance and support in technical and pedagogical issues. The TA will plan efficient lessons that include technique study, repertoire study, music theory, rehearsal and performance etiquette, and an element of play with the participation of the peer mentors. The TA will be responsible for classroom management, including student behavior during lessons and passing periods. The candidate can apply to teach one-to-four lessons per week, and also apply for the strings TA position in combination with the violin/viola position. 

Responsibilities and duties:

Teach small- and/or large-group violin and/or viola lessons for students in from 2nd to 6th grades.

Develop students’ music reading skills and basic music theory knowledge.

Work in collaboration with student peer mentors.

Attend 2 student performances during the year.

Implement CYMP yearly musical goals, in coordination with the full team of teaching artists.

Participate in the supervision of students, including sign-in and dismissal.

Communicate with parents when necessary.

Attend occasional staff meetings and professional-development sessions.

Be rigorous in taking student attendance.

Collaborate in any other documentation of the program that may take place, to include photography, filming, or recording.

Maintain good communication with the director, TAs, volunteers and partners, as well as with students and their families. 

 Required Qualifications:

Excellent musicianship and artistry as violin and/or viola teacher/performer.

Strong knowledge of standard music pedagogy

Experience with beginning violin and/or viola students, as young as 2nd grade.

Basic understanding and commitment to the El Sistema ethos and CYMP’s culture.

Ability to work effectively in collaboration with young people (Middle school age) both as a teacher and as a peer.

Strong organization skills, professionalism and commitment to excellence

Successfully pass a NYC Dept. of Education and Dept. of Health background checks

Four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent experience required

Interest and ability to be a motivational mentor and role model for students, parents, and peers as an artist, teacher and citizen 

Expectations:

The TA will have lesson plans for each group, that follow the overall goals of CYMP, and that will meet the abilities and challenges of the average student in each group. They will include standard teaching methods chosen by the TA in collaboration with CYMP’s director, and will cover technical aspects related to the orchestra repertoire. The TA will make a concerted effort to be available for all lessons, rehearsals, and performances, and when not available will communicate the unavailability in a timely manner with to the Director. 

 An Equal Opportunity Employer The Corona Youth Music Project provides all persons with equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or age. 

Job Opening Position: Strings Teaching Artist at PS19Q, School Year 2017-2018 

Hours: 3-6 hours per week, after school (4:00-7:00pm. Schedule negotiable) 

Start Date: October 2nd 2017. 

Pay: Hourly rate, based on class size. 

Reports To: Music Director. 

The Corona Youth Music Project (CYMP) is an El Sistema-inspired community program in Queens, New York City. Its orchestra program currently has 3 orchestras at different ages groups and musical levels, as well as an orchestral initiation program. Its curriculum is flexible, and its core academic goals are directly connected with the repertoire selected for each orchestra during the current year. CYMP’s vision is to saturate Corona, Queens with community and school orchestras, while striving for musical excellence and fostering youth leadership. It is committed to build a healthy, safe, fun and positive community through the orchestra, and welcomes students from different ages, cultural and academic backgrounds. 

Position Summary: 

The Teaching Artist (TA) is responsible for working with 2 strings sectionals (for CYMP’s intermediate and advanced orchestras). The TA will lead sectional rehearsals that focus on repertoire practice, but touch, as necessary on music theory, rehearsal and performance etiquette.. The TA will be responsible for classroom management, including student behavior during lessons and passing periods. The candidate can apply to teach one-to-four lessons per week, and also apply for the violin and or viola TA positions in combination with the Strings TA position. 

 Responsibilities and duties: 

Lead two weekly strings sectional rehearsals for two different orchestras. 

Resolve any issues related to fingerings, bowings, etc. in collaboration with the violin, viola, cello and bass TAs.

Attend 2 student performances during the year.

Implement CYMP yearly musical goals, in coordination with the full team of teaching artists.

Participate in the supervision of students, including sign-in and dismissal. 

Communicate with parents when necessary.

Attend occasional staff meetings and professional-development sessions.

Be rigorous in taking student attendance.

Collaborate in any other documentation of the program that may take place, to include photography, filming, or recording.

Maintain good communication with the director, TAs, volunteers and partners, as well as with students and their families. 

Required Qualifications:

Excellent musicianship and artistry as strings teacher/performer.

Strong knowledge of standard music pedagogy.

Experience with middle and high school students.

Basic understanding and commitment to the El Sistema ethos and CYMP’s culture.

Strong organization skills, professionalism and commitment to excellence.

Successfully pass a NYC Dept. of Education and Dept. of Health background checks

Four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent experience required

Interest and ability to be a motivational mentor and role model for students, parents, and peers as an artist, teacher and citizen 

Expectations: 

The TA will have rehearsal plans for each group, in collaboration with the director and other TAs, following the overall goals of CYMP. The TA will make a concerted effort to be available for all rehearsals, and performances, and when not available will communicate the unavailability in a timely manner with to the Director. 

An Equal Opportunity Employer The Corona Youth Music Project provides all persons with equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or age. 

Thanks to WQXR, NYC’s classic station for their generous donation of 14 tiny violins that will gear our Cultural After-School Adventures (CASA) program at PS110Q this spring!