Teaching Artist

Now in its 49th season, Opera Philadelphia stands at the forefront of innovation, redefining opera for our time. As the region’s premier opera producer and one of the country’s most influential companies, Opera Philadelphia continues to expand and transform as a vibrant hub for operatic experiences, connecting audiences and artists in ways that give voice to the present, reimagine the past, and shape the future of the art form for generations to come.

Founded as a regional company focused on traditional productions in a single venue, Opera Philadelphia has evolved into an internationally celebrated trailblazer in contemporary opera. Praised by The New York Timesas a "hotbed of operatic innovation," the company remains committed to 21st-century opera while actively performing in its original home at the historic Academy of Music. Opera Philadelphia also creates interdisciplinary experiences in diverse spaces across the city—from immersive performances at the Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art to pop-up cabaret shows in converted garages, and free outdoor screenings on Independence Mall for tens of thousands of Philadelphians.

Opera Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of anti-racism and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All hiring decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. We do not discriminate in our process based on race, color, religion or belief, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or family status. Opera Philadelphia strongly encourages individuals from historically marginalized communities to apply.
 

Central Role:
Provide and facilitate
Opera Philadelphia’s Residency Program and Opera on the Spot.
 

Responsibilities:

Teach assigned classes and work collaboratively with Community Initiatives staff to develop the curriculum, lesson plans, and resources necessary to implement the program. They are not authorized to conduct classes without a residency school classroom teacher present. 

Team Meetings: Attend up to 22 hours 

Prep Time: compensated for up to 50 hours 

Professional Development: Attend up to 8 hours 

Showcase: Facilitate student performances and support as needed at the Residency showcase

Evaluation: Support program evaluation administration as needed

Supplies: All core supplies will be purchased and provided by OP. For more supplies, TA should submit a request via email at least one week before the date needed. OP has the right to deny supply requests deemed inappropriate. Pre-approved supplies purchased by TA will be reimbursed upon the completion of the timesheet in the next payable run.
 

Clearances: Provide updated clearances as needed, including FBI Fingerprint, Child Abuse Clearance, and PA Criminal History, as well as the 3-hour Mandated Reporter Training.

Scheduling: TA will provide OP staff with accurate work availability. OP staff will make their best effort to assign TA to schools based upon their availability. If multiple TAs are available during the same block of time, opportunities will be assigned as uniformly as possible, at OP’s sole discretion. If the TA must cancel a lesson for reasons beyond TA’s control, TA is responsible for contacting the Residency Program Manager at least 48 hours ahead of the lesson time.

Absences: TA’s are allotted 2 missed classes and 1 missed meeting per semester. Notification of absence must be presented to the Residency Program Manager at least 48 hours ahead. 

Utilize the address provided by OP for all email correspondence

COMPENSATION: 

Activity

Rate

Number of Hours Allocated

Meetings and Prep

$25.00 per hour 

Up to 80 hours

Residency Class Session

$100.00 per session

Up to 90 class sessions

Opera on the Spot Session

$75.00 per session

TBD

Payment schedule will be on a bi-weekly basis starting on September 12, 2025. 

Any additional responsibilities, with prior approval from the Vice President of Community Initiatives, that occur outside of the scope of work will be compensated $100 per class and $25/per hour for meetings, PD, $75/per Opera on the Spot, or other duties not specifically outlined in the above compensation table.

Travel Reimbursement: Travel expenses
should be notated on the weekly timesheet. Receipts must be collected and can be submitted via email to the Residency Program Manager, weekly. Costs can include:

Mileage costs to and from your residence for any meeting or in-school visit to be reimbursed at the current IRS mileage: $0.70/mile

SEPTA travel

Pre-approved parking, taxi, rideshare fees, with receipt only

TA is asked to use Uber Pool and Lyft Line when at all possible

Tolls expenses