Choreographer/Dance Educator

Choreographer/Dance Educator

• Type: Part-time contract (August-June)
• Reports to: Junior Program Manager, with creative direction from the Director, Creative and Community Engagement
• Travel: Frequent in-community travel September-April, plus camp & show in May.
• Compensation: Choreography work is paid at teaching day rates based on years of experience; coordination work is paid hourly (hours vary seasonally).
• Location: Remote and in-community. Canada-wide hiring.

About Outside Looking In (OLI)

Outside Looking In (OLI) is a national non-profit organization offering transformative dance and arts-based education programs to Indigenous youth across Canada, from urban centres to fly-in communities. OLI uses dance to empower students to stay in school, build confidence, and celebrate cultural expression.

Position Summary

The Choreographer/Dance Educator is OLI's part-time community-based dance educator: a hybrid role that pairs choreography and dance instruction with hands-on community dance program coordination. Roughly 75% of the role is artistic: teaching, creating, and preparing youth for dance performance; and 25% is program-related administration carried out while in community, so time on the ground is spent with youth and community rather than on paperwork.

Through mentorship, relationship-building, and creative leadership, this role empowers youth participants to develop confidence, leadership skills, cultural connection, and artistic expression, while ensuring high-quality program delivery and meaningful community impact.

Key Responsibilities

Choreography & Artistic Leadership (75%)

• Participate in Choreographer training summits alongside the full choreography team.
• Plan and facilitate engaging dance classes for participants of varying ages and skill levels, including assignment sheets.
• Create original, age-appropriate, culturally-responsive choreography aligned with the creative vision and theme of OLI’s Annual Showcase.
• Conduct performance assessments and lead rehearsal processes toward performance readiness.
• Produce tutorial videos to support youth learning between visits.
• Collaborate with OLI’s creative leadership on production needs, including input on costume and music selection.
• Mentor junior choreographers and OLI Future Leaders high school participants.

Community Coordination (25%, In-Community)

• Attend and supervise rehearsals while in community.
• Complete teacher-facing and youth-facing assessments.
• Set up meetings with volunteers, education leadership, and parent/guardian information sessions.
• Troubleshoot day-of needs on the ground, such as space, tech, supervision, and transportation.
• Handle light remote coordination directly related to upcoming trips, such as confirming rehearsal space, accommodations, or transportation.

Staying Connected

Because programming spans many communities, two simple deliverables keep the whole team aligned:

• A weekly check-in with your Junior Program Manager during each community trip.
• A short end-of-trip summary of what happened and what needs follow-up.

Youth Support & Mentorship

• Act as a positive role model and mentor; support participant wellbeing, engagement, and personal growth.
• Promote a welcoming, inclusive, and culturally safe environment for all participants.
• Raise participant wellbeing concerns with your Junior Program Manager, with training and clear protocols provided.

Qualifications

Required

• Strong background in dance performance, instruction, and choreography.
• Experience working with youth and diverse communities.
• Committed, reliable, organized, and adaptable, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently in community and collaboratively with a remote team.
• Proficiency with basic administrative and digital tools; access to stable internet and a private workspace.
• Ability to travel frequently to remote communities.
• Clear Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check.

Preferred

• Post-secondary education in dance, performing arts, recreation, education, or community development, or equivalent experience.
• Experience working with Indigenous youth and communities; knowledge of trauma-informed, youth-centred, and culturally responsive practices.
• First Aid / CPR, mental health awareness training.
• Valid driver's licence.

Use of artificial intelligence: We do not use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants for this position. All applications are reviewed by a member of our team.

We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) and those with lived experience in Indigenous communities.

Application Deadline:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Apply early to be considered for upcoming programming cycles.