Tango Mercurio, an art-education nonprofit organization, seeks a passionate, experienced Live Music Program Director to oversee its Live Music Program. Applicants should have a background in the arts, a passion for tango, experience in the nonprofit sector, and an appreciation for community building.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Live Music Program Director will be responsible for developing a new vision for our Live Music Program, based on Tango Mercurio’s mission; preparing and executing the program budget; and organizing and executing a yearly program of events and activities, in partnership with professional musicians and other organizations, such as universities. The Live Music Program may include live music performances, classes, workshops, and community outreach events.

The Live Music Program Director is also expected to provide administrative support to the organization, such as assisting with logistics for events, arranging accommodations and travel for artists, drafting and editing reports and promotional materials, and updating websites and social media.

The Live Music Program Director will work independently and report to the Artistic Director and the Board of Directors.

Application Deadline: October 15

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in arts management, performing arts, education, or other related field, or equivalent professional experience. Experience in music performance and/or education is preferred, but not required.
Strong communication skills, including writing, editing, and public speaking, and basic accounting skills.
Excellent organizational skills; experience in project management and general administrative work; ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and prioritize multiple projects.
Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
Expertise in Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Knowledge of graphic design a plus.

Commitment

The Live Music Program Director will devote 10 hours per week to the organization, including some evenings and weekends for events.

Compensation

The Live Music Program Director will receive a monthly stipend (negotiable), plus a percentage of net income from the events they organize.

How to Apply

Email us at info@tangomercurio.com, outlining your relevant experience and the contribution you can make to the organization, and attaching your resume. Selected candidates will be interviewed by current Board members.

Our Mission

Tango Mercurio is a 501(c)(3) arts-education organization founded in 2008 to present the creative tango tradition as a way for individuals to find balance in their lives and discover the unique contributions they have to make in the world.

Tango Mercurio uses Argentine tango as an agent of community development. Because tango is a community-based art form with a global following, it embraces dancers, musicians, and the public at large. Our mission is to promote cultural understanding and social cohesion through Argentine tango by providing ongoing public opportunities for dance, music, learning, and community engagement.

Our Programs

We teach classes in Argentine tango, from complete beginner to teacher-in-training. We host events, where social dancers at all levels are treated to high-quality music and a welcoming atmosphere. We organize workshops for musicians and performances of live music for dancing and cultural education. And we connect the tango community to the broader community in the Washington, DC, area, bringing dance, music, and culture to the young, older adults, and the public at large.

Education—Our comprehensive Argentine tango dance curriculum guides students on their journey as individual dancers or teachers embedded in a broader community of dancers and organizers. Technical skill—preparation, connection, vocabulary, expression—and an understanding of the music are fundamental to this process.

Events—A tango community is an association of tango dancers who attend social dances called “milongas” and informal practice gatherings called “prácticas.” For a tango community for grow and survive, dancers must have enjoyable dance experiences in a friendly environment. We host five to six milongas every month for alumni of the school and members of the tango community at large.

Music—Our Live Music Program seeks to revive the folk music tradition at the heart of tango. We train musicians from various musical backgrounds in tango's unique harmonies and technique, and promote community building through the performance of live music for social dancing.

Outreach—Our Outreach Program connects generations and reaches populations that would otherwise not be exposed to tango, such as older adults, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and underprivileged youth. We provide public performances and tango instruction, in some cases free of charge.

News

We are looking for a Live Music Program Director