Oregon Coast Dance Conservatory is hiring: Creative Director / Lead Instructor i

Oregon Coast Dance Conservatory Brookings, OR

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Position: Creative Director/Lead Instructor

Salary Range: $53,000 - $65,000 annually, depending on experience, plus a monthly housing stipend and other benefits listed below. A higher salary may be negotiated if the candidate does not desire the monthly housing stipend.

About Us:

Oregon Coast Dance Conservatory is a premier and rapidly growing dance studio located in the charming coastal town of Brookings, Oregon. Known for its scenic beauty and small-town community, Brookings offers an inviting lifestyle that combines natural wonder with cultural engagement. Oregon Coast Dance is dedicated to providing exceptional dance instruction while fostering a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and empowering environment for students of all ages and skill levels.

This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate dance professional to take on a leadership role without the responsibilities/financial backing of full studio ownership. The owners handle finances, marketing, and administrative duties, allowing the Creative Director to focus on artistic and instructional excellence.

Position Overview:

The Creative Director/Lead Instructor will serve as the artistic leader of the studio, teaching 15–20 classes per week across multiple genres and age groups while choreographing productions and representing the studio in the community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Teaching: Teach 15–20 classes per week (approximately 15–20 hours of instruction) in ballet, pointe, and jazz, from beginning to advanced levels, for students ranging from ages 3 through adults. Ideally, the candidate can also teach beginning through intermediate tap and acro dance, with additional genres (hip hop, modern, lyrical, ballroom, etc.) or dance fitness styles being a major plus.
• Choreography: Create an original story ballet for the studio’s holiday production, and restage the studio's unique Nutcracker every other year. Create an original story ballet based on a well-known children’s story for the spring production. Choreograph short pieces for the studio's Dance Wave Performance Company for community outreach events.
• Community Representation: Serve as the public face of the studio by participating in networking activities and fundraising events, organizing additional performance opportunities, and promoting the studio’s vision and values.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the studio’s four other part-time instructors to coordinate their students’ participation in productions, collaborate with the studio manager on administrative details, and assist the studio owners with marketing and social media messaging as needed.
• Vision: Contribute to the studio’s goal of becoming the premier dance studio in the region by helping refine and achieve its vision of offering unparalleled instruction and opportunities in a nurturing, empowering atmosphere.

Qualifications:

• Experience: A minimum of two years of teaching and/or professional performance experience in classical ballet, jazz, and/or modern is required. Proficiency in additional styles such as tap, acro, jazz, hip hop, or ballroom is highly desirable.
• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Dance, Arts Administration, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent experience will also be considered.
• Leadership Skills: Proven experience managing or administering a dance program in a studio, school, or professional setting is preferred.
• Availability: Must be available to teach weekday afternoons/evenings Monday through Friday, some Saturdays for rehearsals leading up to the show, and occasional Sundays during production weeks.

Additional Requirements:

• A minimum one-year contract is required, with preference given to candidates seeking a longer-term commitment.
• Candidates should ideally relocate to Brookings by May 2025 to overlap with the current Creative Director, observe the spring show production process, and get acquainted with the studio and community. If this isn’t feasible, candidates should plan to visit the area in advance of relocating to teach sample classes, and move in time to begin teaching by August 2025 at the latest.
• Annual tax preparation assistance.
• Monthly housing stipend.
• Access to a studio car, if needed.
• Complimentary yoga classes offered at the studio.
• Opportunities for professional development, as requested.

Why Brookings?

Nestled along Oregon’s picturesque southern coast, Brookings is known for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant arts scene, and small-town community. With mild weather, abundant outdoor activities, and a strong sense of local pride, Brookings offers an exceptional quality of life for those seeking a unique coastal experience.

Application Process:

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter to Lindsey at elevateartskc@gmail.com. If you have teaching, choreography, and performance reels, please submit those too. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology