Associate Chair for Youth Dance

General Description

Salary: $55,000-$80,000 depending on experience and teaching load

The Peabody Preparatory is pleased to announce an Associate Chair for Youth Dance position in the Dance Department at the Peabody Preparatory, a division of the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD commencing July 2026.

The Associate Chair's role is to support the daily operations, programming, and artistic initiative of the Dance Department. This role works closely with the Senior Department Chair and Academic Program Coordinator to serve students ages 2 to 18, including Early Childhood, Primary, Pre-Professional, and the Estelle Dennis/Peabody Dance Training Program for Boys. The position requires both administrative and teaching responsibilities.

The ideal candidate will have a background in dance education and strong experience in arts administration. They will be skilled at building relationships with families, dedicated to nurturing the goals of all dancers at all levels, and committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and safe learning environment for students of all abilities. They will be detail-oriented, responsive, consistent, reliable, and will thrive in a collaborative environment. The successful candidate will engage current best teaching practices, including developing and delivering meaningful and appropriate lesson plans, providing individual feedback and encouragement to all students, and building autonomy in the dancers to develop as artists. The successful candidate will willingly collaborate with the other teachers and the Department Chair to facilitate continued student progress and department wide performances and goals.

Duties:

Department Leadership & Operations

• Collaborate with department leadership to implement strategic priorities and uphold program quality.
• Partner with administration (business office and marketing) to support the program growth and sustainability.
• Initiate and facilitate outreach programs to serve the community.
• Foster the Preparatory's relationship with the Conservatory Dance Program.
• Participate in programming and curriculum development, documentation, and ongoing evaluation.
• Support daily department operations by meeting the demands of working across four campuses, working both in-person and remotely, as the situation requires.

Student, Family, and Faculty Engagement

• Serve as a primary point of contact for families, addressing questions related to curriculum, placements, and student progress.
• Guide prospective and current families through program offerings and the registration process.
• Coordinate and facilitate student placements, including individualized scheduling and follow-up with teaching faculty on recommended placements.
• Work with the Preparatory business office to complete registration.
• Foster a supportive, inclusive environment for students of all backgrounds and abilities.
• Work closely with faculty to support student development and program consistency.
• Help align classroom experiences with broader department goals and performance outcomes.
• Support department-wide initiatives and maintain strong communication across teams.

Performance & Artistic Programming

• Contribute to the artistic planning and execution of annual performances, including the Student Choreography Showcase, a site-specific winter performance, the Spring Showcase featuring concert length works, and the End-of-Year Ballet for over 150 students in the school.
• Choreograph and rehearse works for each show as needed.
• Communicate with guest artists and facilitate choreographic residencies for upper-level students.
• Develop, communicate, and implement detailed rehearsal and tech schedules.
• Organize production needs, including costuming, music, and program information.
• Track cast attendance and monitor student needs leading up to the performance.
• Provide support during events hosted by the department.
• Take students to community festivals and events as they align with the program's mission and goals.

Teaching

• Required to maintain a modest teaching load of Preparatory dance classes.

Required Skills:

• Passion, knowledge, and proven skills for helping dance students achieve their academic and professional goals.
• Ability to work with diverse student populations and foster an inclusive learning environment.
• Exceptional communication skills in person and virtually, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively as needed.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to prioritize work effectively and within established deadlines and timeframes.
• Strong technological skills are essential, along with the ability to learn new software and systems as designated by the school.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, responsive approach to problem-solving.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in dance, choreography, or dance education is required. Master's degree preferred.
• Documented professional experience in dance performance and choreography is required.
• Documented successful teaching experience required. Success in teaching dance in a pre-professional program is preferred.
• Experience in arts administration, program coordination, or a similar leadership role.
• Experience choreographing for and preparing students for performances, including setting and acting as a rehearsal director for repertory pieces required.
• Experience directing performances preferred.

Application Instructions

Applications received before April 30, 2026 will be given preference, but the position remains open until filled.

Completed Applications should include:

• Cover Letter
• CV/Resume
• Statement of teaching philosophy
• Link to 5-10 minute teaching sample video