Head Teaching Artist
AMP’d: Amplifying Music & Power
A RIOT program in partnership with Providence Student Union
AMP’d is an 8-week afterschool music program presented by RIOT in partnership with Providence Student Union. Designed for high school youth, AMP’d blends instrument instruction, songwriting, recording, and identity-affirming workshops to help students explore music as a tool for empowerment, creative expression, and community-building. The program centers accessibility, experimentation, and youth voice—offering multiple entry points for students of all experience levels.
POSITION OVERVIEW
RIOT is seeking a part-time contracted Head Teaching Artist to lead and coordinate AMP’d, blending lead instruction, curriculum development, and program coordination to support high school youth in exploring music as a tool for empowerment, identity, and creative expression.
The Head Teaching Artist will guide weekly workshops, facilitate open studio sessions, coordinate with additional teaching artists to deliver consistent, youth-centered instruction, support youth-led music creation, and oversee logistics for a culminating community showcase. This position is ideal for a musician-educator committed to anti-oppressive practice, youth empowerment, and community-centered arts education.
The Head Teaching Artist will report directly to the RIOT Board of Directors.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
LEAD INSTRUCTION — Act as the program’s lead educator, maintaining consistent, cohesive instruction across the program in partnership with the teaching team.
COORDINATE TEACHING TEAM — Work closely with two additional Teaching Artists each week to co-facilitate lessons, workshops, and open studio sessions; provide structure, communication, and guidance to ensure consistent, culturally aware instruction.
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT — Develop weekly lesson plans aligned with RIOT’s values of empowerment, identity exploration, and process-over-perfection; incorporate accessible, culturally aware, youth-centered teaching approaches.
PROGRAM COORDINATION — Collaborate with PSU staff on outreach and recruitment; coordinate weekly logistics, communication, and program flow; support showcase planning and execution.
EQUIPMENT & SPACE SUPPORT — Assist with instrument setup and breakdown during program days; help maintain a safe, welcoming, and accessible creative environment.
VALUES-BASED PRACTICE — Model trauma-informed, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive pedagogy; foster community-building, curiosity-driven learning, and youth-led creative exploration.
WHAT YOU BRING
REQUIRED
Experience, enthusiasm, and comfort working with high school youth
Experience teaching music, developing curriculum, and planning lessons
Proficiency in at least one area: guitar, bass, drums, keys, vocals, songwriting, or basic production
Strong communication and collaboration skills
Ability to prioritize, self-direct, and adapt to student needs
Commitment to RIOT’s mission, values, and identity-affirming, anti-oppressive education
PREFERRED
Experience working with LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and gender-expansive youth
Ability to play multiple instruments at a basic to intermediate level
Experience facilitating open studio environments or collaborative jam sessions
Basic recording/production skills
Familiarity with trauma-informed, youth-centered, or anti-oppressive instruction
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to move between different work environments
Some light to moderate lifting of musical equipment (up to 40lbs)
HOURS & COMPENSATION
8–10 hours per week, consisting of:
4 hours teaching and facilitation
2 hours curriculum development
2 hours coordination and outreach
Additional limited planning hours in September for outreach, curriculum preparation, and coordination.
Program sessions will occur on Mondays and Fridays from 3pm to 5pm
$30/hour, with weekly hours capped to remain within the RISCA-funded project budget.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit their application through RIOT’s application portal.
Applicants will be asked to submit their résumé and answer a few short questions about their teaching experience, interest in the role, and alignment with RIOT’s mission. Optional cover letters are welcome but not required.
Applications will be reviewed by the RIOT Board with hiring finalized by mid-September to support early outreach and planning.
If you need accommodations to complete the application, please reach out to info@riotri.org.
This is a contracted position starting in September 2026, running through early December 2026.
PLEASE NOTE: A background check (BCI) is required for all youth‑serving roles. Applicants who move forward in the hiring process will need to complete a BCI, which can be done at the courthouse in downtown Providence; instructions will be provided.
