Teaching Artist YOLA - HOLA (Upright Bass)

Position: Teaching Artist - Upright Bass

Department: Learning - YOLA
Status: Part-Time

Reports to: Associate Operations Director
Instrument Focus: Upright Bass
Primary Work Location: Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), Los Angeles, CA
FLSA Grade: Non-Exempt

About Learning at the LA Phil:

Leading the LA Phil's strategic engagement with youth and education across Los Angeles, the Learning programs at the LA Phil champion the organization's investment in the larger arts ecosystem while providing thought leadership and advocacy for youth engagement program models that uplift and inspire.

About the YOLA Program:

Mission Statement:

YOLA provides transformational and equitable access to music education for young people from underserved communities, to support their personal development, their communities, and beyond.

YOLA Vision for Impact:

By 2035, YOLA is serving well over 4,000 students across LA County.

Thousands of alumni believe the transformative experience of playing music with the YOLA community contributed to their personal development, a path to excellence, and a deep and lasting love of music, motivating them to meaningfully contribute as adults to the creative industry ecosystem.

Program Summary:

YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) is LA Phil's signature education program, inspired by El Sistema and led by Gustavo Dudamel.

YOLA provides over 1,700 students annually access to instruments, high-quality music instruction, and holistic support, helping young people thrive artistically, socially, and academically at no cost.

The work of YOLA is focused on two areas:

Local programs, which directly serve communities across Los Angeles

National programs, which provide opportunities for musicians and educators to learn and build community

Position Summary:

The Upright Bass Teaching Artist is a core member of YOLA's faculty, delivering exceptional, culturally responsive instruction at YOLA's Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) site.

This role focuses on teaching private lessons, sectionals, and large ensemble rehearsals while contributing to a vibrant, inclusive musical community.

The Teaching Artist combines artistic excellence with strong pedagogy specific to upright bass, supporting students across multiple skill levels.

Instruction is delivered primarily after school (3:00-7:00 PM) during the academic year, with occasional weekend commitments.

YOLA's educational outcomes are guided by three core pillars:

Artistic Formation

Community & Life Skills

Opportunity & Access

Position Elements:

Instruct students in group classes, sectionals, ensemble coaching, and private lessons with emphasis on upright bass technique, tone production, posture, intonation, and musicality

Deliver sequential, culturally responsive instruction aligned with YOLA curriculum and benchmarks

Build foundational and advanced bass skills including bow technique (arco), pizzicato, shifting, and ensemble awareness

Coach students toward growth through juries, performances...