Sing a Story

San Francisco Opera Guild, a non-profit organization that has provided arts education programs to Northern California communities for over 75 years, seeks an experienced Teaching Artist for its Sing A Story program. Sing a Story takes place in classrooms at schools across the Bay Area.

ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO OPERA GUILD
San Francisco Opera Guild believes that the life lessons drawn from creative expression are the foundation of confidence and integrity. Offering a range of award-winning K-12 education programs and community outreach programs, our mission is to give voice to potential, extending the impact of opera and bringing it center stage into the life of the community. San Francisco Opera Guild is an organization independent from San Francisco Opera and operates in close collaboration with it. All inquiries should be sent to San Francisco Opera Guild as instructed below, not San Francisco Opera.

SING A STORY
Sing a Story is an interactive program designed to introduce students in K-3 classrooms to opera, cultivate imagination, and foster excitement and joy among students through engagement with music, movement, and storytelling. A teaching artist works in individual classrooms and begins by briefly telling an opera story to the class. The artist then leads the class in acting out the opera, incorporating props, costume pieces, recorded music, sung excerpts, and movement. Students take turns playing different roles as the opera is enacted. Each presentation lasts about 45-minutes. Operas currently include Hansel & Gretel, The Magic Flute, Rossini’s Cinderella, and The Rhinegold.

TIME COMMITMENT
School visits are scheduled weekdays 9 am – 2 pm (not including travel time) from late January through early May. Up to four classes may be scheduled at a school on any one day. Availability to visit schools up to three days a week is required, with flexibility permitted for conflicts known in advance. Scheduled rehearsals comprise about 18 hours in January prior to school visits.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
• Experience in opera performance
• Professional-caliber vocal ability
• Ability as an engaging storyteller
• Experience working with young children both individually and in groups
• Facility with classroom management; classroom teaching experience highly desirable
• Ability to work cooperatively with fellow artists and with teachers
• Ability to travel to school sites across the Bay Area; punctuality is critical
• Successful background check through CA state Livescan

EXAMPLES OF RESPONSIBILITIES
• Memorize scripts provided for each opera
• Participate in rehearsals led by program directors
• Successfully present to classes in a fun, inclusive, and supportive manner
• Interact constructively with teachers and other school personnel

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please email your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with SING A STORY TEACHING ARTIST as the subject line. Interviews and auditions will be arranged for selected candidates.

Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for this position in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY OF STAFF