Piano Accompanist

School: School of Dance

Reports to: Accompanist Supervisor.

Job Summary: The Full-Time Staff Accompanists provide high-level musical support for the School of Dance, primarily accompanying ballet technique classes ranging from beginner to pre-professional levels. This role requires a professional musician who can seamlessly translate a faculty member’s movement instructions into sophisticated musical accompaniment. Some weekend and summer availability (6 consecutive weeks starting mid-June) is mandatory.

Schedule: Work schedule is 35 hours per week; approx. 25 hours per week in studio during Fall and Spring semesters and 20 hours per week in studio during Summer semesters plus off-site research hours for development of class repertoire and dance vocabulary.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Music (Piano Performance) or equivalent professional experience.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced piano technique with excellent sight-reading and the ability to adapt musical scores to the needs of a dance class.
• Experience: Significant experience (typically 3+ years) accompanying ballet in a professional company, pre-professional conservatory/studio or higher education environment.

Duties & Essential Job Functions

1. Primary Job Duties: Provide consistent, high-quality piano accompaniment for a wide range of classical ballet classes, such as daily ballet technique classes, pointe, pas de deux, male technique, ballet repertoire and character dance. Accompany School of Dance auditions, International Summer Dance auditions and others as needed.
2. Faculty Collaboration: Work closely with dance faculty to interpret pedagogical goals, responding instantly to verbal cues or physical demonstrations regarding tempo, meter, and movement quality. Assist dance faculty with locating sheet music scores and audio recordings and make repertoire recordings upon request.
3. Musical Versatility: Curate and perform an array of musical styles (Classical, Romantic, 20th Century, and contemporary arrangements) adapted to the specific phrasing of ballet exercises.
4. Performance & Rehearsal Support: Accompany School of Dance rehearsals, warmups, showcases, and student choreography as assigned.
5. Other duties: as assigned by accompanist supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Must have pianistic skills able to withstand several hours of accompanying per day.