Teaching Artist - Core, Lullaby Project and My Melody in Madison, Wisconsin at Overture Center Foundation Inc

Job Summary____________________________________________________________________

The Teaching Artist-Core supports Overture’s Lullaby Project and My Melody programs by facilitating participant-centered songwriting experiences in alignment with program values, expectations, and established practices.

The Lullaby Project pairs Teaching Artists with new and expectant parents and their support systems to create personal lullabies, while My Melody pairs Teaching Artists with people living with dementia and their care partners to create personal songs.

This role contributes to program delivery through facilitation, preparation, communication, recording support, performance participation, and collaboration with program staff and peer Teaching Artists.

The Teaching Artist-Core is responsible for meeting program expectations, participating in professional development and rehearsals, and supporting a welcoming, respectful, and creative environment for participants.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities_____________________________________________________________

• Facilitates collaborative songwriting sessions with participants and their support systems by helping participants shape personal stories, lyrics, and musical ideas into original songs.

• Facilitates a minimum of one songwriting session annually to support participant engagement and program delivery.

• Creates recordings, lyric sheets, lead sheets, or related music materials that participants and families can use to revisit and share their songs.

• Participates in album recording sessions, rehearsals, and related artistic preparation to support program recordings, performances, and celebrations.

• Performs at celebrations, community events, Kids in the Rotunda performances, or other program-related events when scheduled.

• Provides a welcoming and inclusive workshop environment that supports creative expression, storytelling, connection, and participant-centered practice.

• Supports opportunities for participants to connect and build community through shared creative experiences.

• Attends professional development and rehearsals to support program readiness, consistent facilitation practice, and alignment with program expectations.

• Meets established deadlines and responds to program communications within established timelines to support timely planning, coordination, and reliable program operations.

• Assists with occasional group songwriting sessions, related program activities, and informal peer support as needed.

To successfully perform this job, the individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications____________________________________________________________________

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education & Experience:

• No formal degree or diploma required.

• One to two years of experience as a songwriter, composer, Teaching Artist, musician, educator, facilitator, or related creative practitioner preferred.

• Experience in collaborative songwriting, recording, or live performance strongly preferred.

• Experience facilitating workshops or working with diverse learners of all ages preferred.

• Experience working with participants in community, education, arts, youth, family, health, or social service settings preferred.

• Equivalent combinations of education, training, lived experience, and professional experience will be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Knowledge of songwriting, music composition, collaborative creative processes, and participant-centered music facilitation.

• Knowledge of respectful, inclusive, and trauma-informed approaches to working with participants, families/caregivers, care partners, and community partners.

• Skill in melodic creation, arranging, recording, and preparing original music materials.

• Skill in supporting participants in shaping stories, lyrics, and creative ideas in a collaborative environment.

• Skill in communicating clearly, respectfully, and reliably with program staff, participants, peer Teaching Artists, and community partners.

• Ability to provide artistic feedback and guidance in a supportive, inclusive, and participant-centered manner.

• Ability to adapt artistic approaches to support participants with varied communication styles, abilities, lived experiences, and program needs.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with participants, community partners, Teaching Artists, and Overture staff.

• Ability to receive feedback and participate in ongoing learning and professional development.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging in community-based arts programming.

• Proficiency on at least one musical instrument and ability to provide an instrument for residency sessions and performances.

Working Conditions

The requirements and conditions described below are representative of the general environment the employee is exposed to on a day-to-day basis while performing this role. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

Physical Demands:

• Frequent bending, squatting, reaching below shoulder level, grasping, carrying, and fine manipulation while supporting program materials, instruments, music, recording materials, or session activities.

• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and through video conferencing platforms.

• Ability to move throughout Overture facilities, community partner locations, rehearsal spaces, recording studios, or performance venues.

• Must be able to supply and transport an instrument capable of supporting songwriting sessions.

• Visual acuity to read and produce documents, review music or program materials, observe participant engagement, and monitor displays or equipment.

Work Environment:

• Work may be performed in Overture facilities, community partner sites, rehearsal rooms, recording studios, performance venues, and professional office environments.

• Regular on-site presence is required for assigned sessions, rehearsals, professional development, meetings, recordings, performances, or events.

• The role may involve work in performance venues, community spaces, or program settings with increased activity, moderate noise, or frequent temperature changes.

• Frequent interaction with participants, families/caregivers, care partners, Teaching Artists, staff, artists, musicians, patrons, and community partners is essential to the role.

• Flexibility in hours may be required during residencies, rehearsals, recordings, performances, professional development, song celebrations, or other program activities.

Travel: This position may include limited local travel.