Calgary Opera Community Ambassadors
The deadline for this opportunity has passed.
Deadline for Submissions: September 8, 2020
Start Date: October 1, 2020
Calgary Opera’s Vision
Calgary Opera aspires to be a leader in the opera field, known for its intensive collaboration with arts organizations of all sizes, a thoughtful balance of traditional classics and more alternative works, and a mix of larger-scale and smaller artistic projects. The company will rely on a network of diverse sources to recruit artistic and operational talent, with a strong commitment to develop and showcase top Canadian talent.
Calgary Opera’s Mission
Calgary Opera serves our entire community with innovative and inspiring operas in a multitude of forms and venues, and through educational activities and the training of young Canadian artists while developing our people and managing our operations in a fiscally sound and efficient manner.
Calgary Opera’s Mandate
Calgary Opera is dedicated to:
- Promoting interest, awareness, and attendance of the operatic art form.
- Presenting classic and contemporary operas, and other musical entertainments, at an extremely high-performance standard.
- Training and development of high-potential emerging artists.
- The recruitment, development, and presentation of exceptionally talented performers, composers, librettists, directors, and designers, with emphasis on Canadian talent.
- Childhood education and exposure to opera.
- Telling Canadian stories through new works.
Summary
Calgary Opera’s Community Ambassadors Program is at the heart of a new community engagement initiative to open the doors of Calgary Opera to Calgarians. The ambassadors will work in the school system, at every level, as well as partner in the community with other not-for-profit organizations to create understanding and enhanced music and cultural experiences through opera and voice.
Position Details
Calgary Opera is hiring two community ambassador positions, each with its own focus, but with a shared component of delivering workshops to junior and senior high schools and interested community and voice groups. Areas of focus for these workshops will include the mechanics and care of the voice, proper techniques and warmups, pronunciation, and the education and career development of an opera singer, including personal experiences.
Position one will work in an elementary school setting with a class throughout the year, delivering modules within the Health and Wellness curriculum as well as working with the class to develop music and voice skills, culminating in a year-end performance in June.
Position two will have as their focus the development of a cross-cultural voice and music group to share musical knowledge and history, to learn from each other and to organize a voice performance of different cultural musical styles. This community ambassador will be working with Calgary Opera in conjunction with a community immigrant women’s association.
Position 1 – Public School Ambassador
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in vocal performance, music or relevant field.
- Experience working as a professional singer, whether full or part-time.
- Experience working with children, ideally in a school setting.
- Expert communication skills, both oral and written.
- Knowledge of best teaching practices.
- Ability to travel around the city, whether it be by car, transit or some other means.
- Clean Vulnerable Sector Police Check, dated within the last three years.
- Highly organized and self-motivated, ability to work autonomously.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Work with and report to the manager of education and community engagement.
- Develop a teaching plan in conjunction with teachers at school to incorporate a health and wellness curriculum from the Government of Alberta, integrating opera lifestyle, training and experience into the course content.
- Simultaneously develop a course of music and voice training to culminate in a small performance at the end of the school year.
- Working in the school, remain open and flexible to the needs of the teacher and students to best serve them.
- Independently travel to junior and senior high schools as well as different community venues to deliver voice workshops.
- Meet weekly with education manager and other community ambassadors to discuss goals, progress and experiences within the program.
Term: October 1, 2020 – June 30th, 2021
Position 2 – Cross-Cultural Ambassador
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in vocal performance, music or relevant field.
- A strong musical background, familiarity with different world musical types and various languages.
- Interest or experience in working with populations from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
- Excellent group facilitator skills: ability to engage and encourage conversation and sharing.
- Experience working as a professional singer, whether full or part-time.
- Expert communication skills, both oral and written.
- Ability to travel around the city, whether it be by car, transit or some other means.
- Ability to work some evenings and weekends.
- Clean Vulnerable Sector Police Check, dated within the last three years.
- Highly organized and self-motivated, ability to work autonomously.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Work with and report to the manager of education and community engagement.
- Work with Community organizations to create a cross-cultural music and voice sharing group.
- Respond flexibly to the needs of the organization and the individuals that come forward.
- Facilitate a group with confidence and kindness, creating a safe and comfortable space to share musical history, experience and skill.
- Independently travel to junior and senior high schools as well as different community venues to deliver voice workshops.
- Meet weekly with education manager and other community ambassador to discuss goals, progress and experiences within the program.
Term: October 1, 2020, through to June 30, 2021
Measurements of Success
- Provide weekly summaries and monthly reports on of delivery of program and experiences.
- Satisfaction from the perspective of the school or community organization that valuable work is occurring for all involved.
Compensation
$600/week, based on 20 hrs/week, as a contract employee of Calgary Opera.
To apply please submit a cover letter and resume with references to Patricia Kesler, Education and Community Engagement Manager, and indicate which of the two ambassador positions you are applying for. Email pkesler@calgaryopera.com.
Deadline for Submissions: September 8, 2020
Start Date: October 1, 2020
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
