Teaching Artist

Opera Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of anti-racism and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All hiring decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. We do not discriminate in our process based on race, color, religion or belief, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or family status. Opera Philadelphia strongly encourages individuals from historically marginalized communities to apply. 

Central Role:
Provide and facilitate
Opera Philadelphia’s Residency Program and Opera on the Spot.  

Responsibilities: 

• Teach assigned classes and work collaboratively with Community Initiatives staff to develop the curriculum, lesson plans, and resources necessary to implement the program. They are not authorized to conduct classes without a residency school classroom teacher present.  

• Team Meetings: Attend up to 22 hours  

• Prep Time: compensated for up to 50 hours  

• Professional Development: Attend up to 8 hours  

• Showcase: Facilitate student performances and support as needed at the Residency showcase 

• Evaluation: Support program evaluation administration as needed 

• Supplies: All core supplies will be purchased and provided by OP. For more supplies, TA should submit a request via email at least one week before the date needed. OP has the right to deny supply requests deemed inappropriate. Pre-approved supplies purchased by TA will be reimbursed upon the completion of the timesheet in the next payable run.  

• Clearances: Provide updated clearances as needed, including FBI Fingerprint, Child Abuse Clearance, and PA Criminal History, as well as the 3-hour Mandated Reporter Training. 

• Scheduling: TA will provide OP staff with accurate work availability. OP staff will make their best effort to assign TA to schools based upon their availability. If multiple TAs are available during the same block of time, opportunities will be assigned as uniformly as possible, at OP’s sole discretion. If the TA must cancel a lesson for reasons beyond TA’s control, TA is responsible for contacting the Residency Program Manager at least 48 hours ahead of the lesson time. 

• Absences: TA’s are allotted 2 missed classes and 1 missed meeting per semester. Notification of absence must be presented to the Residency Program Manager at least 48 hours ahead.  

• Utilize the address provided by OP for all email correspondence 

COMPENSATION:  

Activity 

Rate 

Number of Hours Allocated 

Meetings and Prep 

$25.00 per hour  

Up to 80 hours 

Residency Class Session 

$100.00 per session 

Up to 90 class sessions 

Opera on the Spot Session 

$75.00 per session 

TBD 

• Payment schedule will be on a bi-weekly basis starting on September 12, 2025.  


• Any additional responsibilities, with prior approval from the Vice President of Community Initiatives, that occur outside of the scope of work will be compensated $100 per class and $25/per hour for meetings, PD, $75/per Opera on the Spot, or other duties not specifically outlined in the above compensation table. 


• Travel Reimbursement: Travel expenses
  should be notated on the weekly timesheet. Receipts must be collected and can be submitted via email to the Residency Program Manager, weekly. Costs can include: 

• Mileage costs to and from your residence for any meeting or in-school visit to be reimbursed at the current IRS mileage: $0.70/mile 

• SEPTA travel 

• Pre-approved parking, taxi, rideshare fees, with receipt only 

• TA is asked to use Uber Pool and Lyft Line when at all possible 

• Tolls expenses