Prelude or Prima Co-Director, 2025-26

Prelude or Prima Choir Teaching Assistant and Director
2025–2026 Season

Bellevue Youth Choirs | Tuesdays and Wednesdays

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What We Look for in a BYC Staff Member

At Bellevue Youth Choirs, we’re more than just a place to sing—we’re a vibrant community where kids grow as musicians, teammates, and confident individuals. Our staff are at the heart of that mission.

An ideal BYC team member is:

• Growth-Oriented – Embraces children’s potential and nurtures them through joyful, challenging experiences.
• Wholehearted – Respects each student’s identity and connects with them as individuals.
• Joyful  – Brings energy, fun, and warmth to every rehearsal.
• Collaborative – Works well across teams and communicates proactively.
• Globally Minded – Values authentic, diverse repertoire and the rich perspectives our families bring.
• Creative  – Engages students through inventive, multi-modal learning.
• Musicianship-Driven – Models strong musical skills and artistic excellence.

About the Position

Bellevue Youth Choirs seeks an experienced elementary choral director with a Kodály background to join our team and co-lead our 1st–2nd Grade choir, Prima, or support our PreK–K choir, Prelude. The position is flexible based on experience and the best fit for the candidate. This role involves co-teaching on Tuesdays and leading rehearsals on Wednesdays.

We recognize that the right candidate may not fit every logistical detail. Ideally, the selected candidate is available for both Tuesdays and Wednesdays in order to shadow an experienced BYC teacher on Tuesdays and lead their own class on Wednesdays. However, if an exceptional candidate is only available on Wednesdays, we are open to adjusting the role and providing a shared pianist to support rehearsals.

Days of Service:

·        If Prelude:

• Tuesdays (5:10-6:45pm)Assist current director Janet Ankomah with Prelude
• Wednesdays (5:10-6:45pm)Lead Prelude rehearsals with provided accompanist

·        If Prima:

• Tuesdays (5:00–7:05pm): Assist current director Heidi McIlroy with Prima
• Wednesdays (5:00–7:05pm): Lead Prima rehearsals with provided accompanist

·        Note: While two classes are scheduled on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays, BYC reserves the right to remove a section due to low enrollment. This will be re-evaluated during September/January during open enrollment periods.

Rehearsals begin the week of September 8, 2025, following the Bellevue School District calendar (with breaks during Thanksgiving, Winter, Midwinter, and Spring).

Responsibilities

• Co-plan and teach developmentally appropriate lessons with co-director.
• Select diverse, age-appropriate repertoire that supports musical and cultural growth.
• Model healthy vocal technique including head voice, breathing, and blend.
• Foster joy and community through musical games and engaging activities.
• Conduct Prelude or Prima in three mainstage concerts per year (tentatively: Dec 6, Mar 22, Jun 6 in the afternoons).
• Oversee your ensemble backstage with parent volunteer assistance.
• Attend monthly virtual staff meetings outside of teaching hours at mutually agreed upon times.
• Provide program notes, practice videos/recordings, and family communication each concert project.
• Help manage attendance and behavior; communicate professionally with families
• Arrive 15 minutes before rehearsal for preparation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Music, Music Education, or related field required.
• Knowledge of and experience with Kodály methodology strongly preferred.
• Experience teaching young children in group music settings.
• Ability to analyze and select appropriate and diverse repertoire that supports the needs of students and the mission of the program.
• Confident vocal model; able to demonstrate and teach head voice.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
• Passion for early childhood music education and a belief in children's potential.
• Ability to confidently and firmly manage a large group of choristers and student behaviors, communicate when needed with families, and maintain high behavior expectations for choristers.
• Ability to conduct an ensemble.
• Ability to write program notes that articulate the value of repertoire.
• A desire to see BYC grow and thrive, and to help foster a greater sense of community and belonging.

Position Details

Status: Hourly, part-time. September through June. One-year renewable contract.

Pay:

• $40/hour for Tuesday assistant role (1.5–2 hrs/week)
• $55/hour for Wednesday director role plus 1 hour/week of paid planning (includes early arrival at rehearsal, repertoire selection, lesson planning, quarterly program notes, communication)
• $200 flat rate per Mainstage concert
• 1 hour/month paid staff meetings; additional pay for tour/outreach if applicable

Reports to: Executive & Artistic Director, Kayla Johnson
Location: Cross of Christ Church, 411 156th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98007.Concert locations vary.

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