Teaching Artist
ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:
The internationally renowned Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) has received “highest praise for their technical aplomb, their musicality, and their sheer human authenticity.” (Bloomberg News). Founded in 1980, the Dance Group performs the repertory of choreographer Mark Morris, hailed as the “the most successful and influential choreographer alive, and indisputably the most musical” (The New York Times), whose work is acclaimed for its ingenuity, musicality, wit, and humanity. Live music and community engagement are vital components of the Dance Group. It has toured with its own musicians, the MMDG Music Ensemble, since 1996, and regularly collaborates with orchestras and opera companies around the world. In addition to 12 full-time dancers, the organization currently employs approximately 200 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees.
In the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District, the Mark Morris Dance Center, founded in 2001, is the hub of dance and music education in Brooklyn. The nine-studio building provides affordable classes in multiple genres for people of all ages, levels, with and without disabilities, accompanied by live music. The studios, a performance space, a Wellness Center, and ancillary spaces are all available to the community and to nonprofit organizations at subsidized rates. MMDG’s Community Education Programs partner with public and private schools and community centers to provide customized classes. MMDG also offers customized dance workshops for persons with Parkinson’s disease.
MMDG programs in NYC and worldwide engage over 100,000 people annually. Propelled by core values of community, access, excellence, and creativity, MMDG is committed to ongoing equity, diversity, and inclusion work to ensure its programs are welcoming and accessible to all.
The Mark Morris Dance Group seeks experienced and versatile Teaching Artists to join our faculty. Our programs emphasize progressive, non-competitive dance education with live musical accompaniment . The Dance Center is a hub for the community to gather, create, learn, and perform.
About the MARK MORRIS DANCE CENTER
Founded in 2001, the Mark Morris Dance Center is a cultural hub in Brooklyn and home to the Mark Morris Dance Group. The 40,000 square foot facility, built for dancers by dancers, includes nine ADA-accessible column-free studios, an administrative floor for MMDG staff, and a Wellness Center, with spaces available to rent for rehearsals and events.
At the Dance Center, you’ll find inclusive and accessible classes for all ages, levels, and abilities with live musical accompaniment, including Dance for PD, our research-backed program for people living with Parkinson’s. In everything we do, we remain committed to
Teaching opportunities are available in:
- The School: 100 weekly classes for over 1,000 children (ages 18 months–18 years)
- Adult program: ~800 adult students weekly, across classes, workshops, and intensives
- Community Education: 10–15 weekly classes at sites throughout NYC and at the Dance Center, depending on season
Application requirements:
- Teaching resume
- Cover letter speaking to your relative experience and interest in teaching for the Mark Morris Dance Group
- Sample lesson plan
- Headshot (will be requested upon hire for marketing and promotional purposes; not required as part of the initial application process)
Important dates:
- Application period: March 7-25, 2026
- Invitations to attend the audition will be sent by April 9
- Audition date: April 22 12:30-2:30pm
If you are selected for the audition, you will be invited to the Dance Center to demonstrate an excerpt of a class, with other auditionees acting as your students. A variety of Education and Community Engagement Staff will be present in the studio. More information will be provided should you be selected.
We welcome teachers in diverse genres, including hip-hop, styles of the African Diaspora, jazz, tap, creative dance, ballet, modern, early childhood, and adaptive dance. Other dance styles may be considered based on community demand.
We are committed to recruiting teachers from diverse backgrounds and encourage applicants of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and veteran status.
Qualifications
- 2+ years professional experience as a dance instructor, with higher education teaching or performance degree and experience teaching multiple age groups a plus
- Passion for dance education
- Experience working with a live accompanist a plus
- Openness to working with students with disabilities required for Children & Teen faculty
- Expertise in dance genre(s) as a teaching artist and long time student in your chosen genre.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with your teaching team and with administration; ability to communicate by email and phone required.
- Commitment to embodying MMDG’s core values and adhering to MMDG’s policies.
- Ability to commit to a consistent teaching schedule and to communicate in a timely manner about tardiness and absences.
Benefits
- Discounts on drop-in classes, workshops, and intensives
- Professional development opportunities
- Discounted tickets and special events
- Discount on MMDG merchandise
Compensation: Commensurate with experience
Rates for teaching are variable by program and length of class. A basic outline is provided below:
- The School - $53/class plus
- Community Education - $60/class plus
- The Adult Programs - $7/head plus
Note: Teaching Artist Auditions are held annually in early spring. If your qualifications meet our needs, you will be invited to an audition followed by an interview. No phone calls, please.
NY Pay Transparency Range
Rate
$53—$60 USD
EEO STATEMENT:
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or veteran status. It is the policy of MMDG to comply with all the relevant and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). MMDG does not discriminate against any qualified employees or job applicants with respect to any terms, privileges, or conditions of employment because of a person’s physical or mental disability. MMDG makes reasonable accommodation wherever necessary for all employees or applicants with disabilities, provided that the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform the duties and assignments connected with the job and provided that any accommodations made do not require significant difficulty or expense.