Building Beats
Full job description
Join Building Beats as a Music Coding Teaching Artist and inspire the next generation of creative technologists! We are looking for passionate educators who can teach students how to create music using coding, digital audio workstations (DAWs), and interactive programming environments. This is an exciting opportunity to bridge music production and computer science while working with NYC’s underserved youth. If you have experience with tools like Scratch, p5.js, Sonic Pi, Gibber, and microcontrollers, plus love music production – this role is for you!
Description
About Building Beats
Building Beats is an education nonprofit that empowers underserved youth through workshops and mentorship in digital music production, DJing, and music coding. Our workshops transform schools and community centers into pop-up studios where young people explore music and technology. We engage students using accessible tools, popular music genres, and relatable Teaching Artists who create safe and inspiring spaces for learning.
Position Overview
As a Music Coding Teaching Artist, you will lead engaging workshops that merge music creation and programming, helping students build interactive musical projects, live-coded performances, and algorithmic compositions. You’ll facilitate in-school, after-school, and community center residencies using beginner-friendly coding tools and DAWs. This part-time role requires traveling to various sites across the five boroughs and working independently.
Key Responsibilities
- Facilitate workshops at various schools and community centers, teaching music coding concepts and digital music creation.
- Engage students in hands-on projects, from coding step sequencers in Scratch to building interactive instruments with p5.js and microcontrollers.
- Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment where all students feel empowered to create and explore.
- Develop and submit lesson plans monthly, adapting content for diverse student groups.
- Guide students in developing final projects, such as generative compositions, live-coding performances, and interactive instruments.
- Collaborate with fellow Teaching Artists and community partners to enhance curriculum and workshop experiences.
- Attend monthly professional development meetings and training sessions (remote and in-person).
- Serve as a Building Beats ambassador, representing the organization in NYC schools and communities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience teaching coding, music production, or creative technology in schools, after-school programs, or youth development settings.
- Knowledge of Scratch, p5.js, Sonic Pi, Gibber, microcontrollers (Arduino, Circuit Playground), or similar creative coding tools.
- Understanding of fundamental music concepts (beats, bars, loops, melody, harmony, arrangement).
- Strong communication skills and the ability to adapt lessons for students with different experience levels.
- Ability to work effectively in low-resource environments while maintaining an engaging classroom experience.
- Passion for youth/community development and expanding access to creative technology.
- Spanish proficiency is a plus but not required.
- Ability to pass background checks, including NYC DOE and Department of Health fingerprinting, National Sex Offender Registry clearance, and other required screenings.
Compensation/Schedule
- $65/hour for teaching
- $25/hour for admin/training
- Flexible schedule, teaching 1 to 7 workshops per week, depending on availability. Residency lengths vary from 6 weeks to a full school year.
Ready to build? Join us and empower the next generation of creative technologists through music coding!
