Company Pianist

Philadelphia Ballet • Philadelphia, PA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Philadelphia Ballet Company Pianist selects and plays appropriate music for Company classes and plays the season’s repertoire in rehearsals. This role is crucial for providing piano accompaniment for Company rehearsals and classes, as well as lecture-demonstrations. The pianist will collaborate effectively with Rehearsal Directors, Repetiteurs, and Conductors, and is expected to continuously expand their repertoire for dance classes.

Requirements

• Advanced classical piano technique
• Excellent sight-reading ability and ability to learn advanced music quickly
• Good to excellent improvisational skills when playing for class. 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 follow a conductor and to simulate the sound and style of the orchestra.
• 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.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Rehearsals Directors, Repetiteurs, and choreographers, making necessary adjustments in tempo or music choice
• Establish and maintain effective and productive working relationships within a diverse and multicultural 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.
• Must provide satisfactory background clearances as may be required for role.

Nice To Haves

• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required during company production weeks.
• Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area travel and overnight may be expected.

Responsibilities

• Provide piano accompaniment for Company rehearsals and classes.
• Accompany lecture-demonstrations.
• Effectively collaborate with the Rehearsal Directors, Repetiteurs, and Conductors during rehearsals and classes.
• Continue to expand repertoire for dance classes.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed