The School of Philadelphia Ballet accompanist selects and plays appropriate music for ballet technique classes. The accompanist shall choose and play at a moment's notice appropriate music to match the tempo, meter, musicality, and length of various ballet exercises; and/or must be able to spontaneously compose/improvise to the movement appropriately, most often in a classical style, but occasionally in popular and/or other idioms. If you are primarily a reader, you should have minimal improvisational skill to accommodate introductions, extended endings and to edit/alter music (possibly in real time) to meet phrasing needs of given exercises. If you are an advanced classical pianist and sight reader but also have advanced improvisational abilities in classical and other styles, this combination is ideal.
Responsibilities
- Provides piano accompaniment for ballet classes.
- Accompany special classes, auditions, and master classes outside of the regular work week, on occasion.
- Substitute for classes, as needed.
- Effectively collaborate with the Dance Instructor during the dance class.
- Continue to expand their repertoire for dance classes.
Required Skills
- Advanced classical piano technique
- Excellent sight-reading ability and ability to learn intermediate to advanced music quickly
- Good to excellent improvisational skills. Minimal improvisation regularly needed to provide a short introduction to each exercise and possibly improvise an ending midway thru a score or create extended endings on the spot to match the length of an exercise. Advanced improvisers may choose to improvise in-the-moment custom made music for an entire exercise as long as it appropriately supports the dance movement.
- Ability to choose (or improvise), within seconds' notice, appropriate music to support and inspire the given dance movement. Familiarity and experience with class structure, types of exercises and their typical order are essential to keep up with pace of class.
- Ability to provide a clear sense of beat/pulse/timing to ensure dancers feel confident about where they should be in relation to the music at any given moment.
- Ability to communicate effectively with the teacher, making necessary adjustments in tempo or music choice upon instructor’s request, either in real time or between exercises.
- Establish and maintain effective and productive working relationships within a diverse environment;
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
- Ability to collaborate well with others across all functional areas
- Take appropriate steps to promote and enforce safe work practices within each area of responsibility in accordance with policies and protocols.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in music or equivalent experience
- One to three years of demonstrated experience in providing accompaniment for ballet and/or modern dance classes.
Supervisory Responsibility
None
Expected Hours of Work
The full academic year at SPB runs September through mid-June while the summer programming runs for 6-8 weeks during the summer season. Hours vary and are typically needed weekday mornings (9-12) and evenings (4:30-8:30) and Saturdays (9-12). Actual schedule will be based on individual availability and SPB needs.
Work Authorization/Security Clearance
Must be authorized to work in the United States; must pass criminal and child abuse background checks
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Equal Opportunity Statement: Philadelphia Ballet is committed to the principles of equality in employment. The Ballet complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws and Federal Executive Orders, and provides an equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons. We prohibit discrimination in employment based on characteristics protected by applicable law, including race, ethnicity, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender, gender identify or expression, familial status, pregnancy, domestic or sexual violence victim status, disability, service in the armed forces of the United States, or an individual’s status as a covered veteran.
