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 part-time contracted Teaching Artists with strong proficiency in one or more instruments to support AMP’d’s weekly workshops and open studio sessions. Teaching Artists will work closely with the Head Teaching Artist to deliver high-quality, youth-centered instruction, provide expert-level guidance on specific instruments, and help create an accessible, collaborative learning environment.
This role is ideal for musician-educators who are enthusiastic about working with youth, committed to anti-oppressive practice, and excited to support young people in developing confidence, creativity, and musical skills. Multiple positions may be filled depending on applicants’ instrumental expertise.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
INSTRUMENT INSTRUCTION — Provide expert-level instruction on your primary instrument(s); support group lessons, skill-building activities, and youth-led music creation.
WORKSHOP SUPPORT — Assist the Head Teaching Artist in facilitating weekly workshops, open studio sessions, collaborative jams, and recording activities.
CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT — Contribute to weekly lesson planning and deliver instruction aligned with RIOT’s values of empowerment, identity exploration, and process-over-perfection.
YOUTH-CENTERED PRACTICE — Support students in finding their own voice, experimenting creatively, and building confidence in a collaborative environment.
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
Strong proficiency in at least one instrument (guitar, bass, drums, keys, vocals, or songwriting/production)
Experience teaching music or supporting youth in creative learning environments
Strong communication and collaboration skills
Ability to adapt instruction to different skill levels and student interests
Commitment to RIOT’s mission, values, and identity-affirming, anti-oppressive education
PREFERRED
Ability to play multiple instruments at a basic to intermediate level
Experience working with LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and gender-expansive youth
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
HOURS & COMPENSATION
4–6 hours per week, consisting of:
4 hours teaching and facilitation
2 hours curriculum development
Program sessions occur twice weekly after school (specific days/times finalized with PSU).
$30/hour, with weekly hours capped to remain within the RISCA-funded project budget.
Additional limited planning time may be requested based on program needs.
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 in 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.
ABOUT RIOT
RIOT is a volunteer-driven nonprofit that uses music creation, critical thinking, and collaborative relationships to foster collective empowerment and healthy identities in girls, women, trans, and gender-expansive youth and adults. Our programs center creative exploration, voice, agency, and community-building. We believe music is a powerful tool for self-expression, identity exploration, and social change — and that everyone deserves access to creative spaces where they can be loud, brave, and fully themselves.
To learn more, visit riotri.org.
