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Ballet Accompanist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Philadelphia Ballet

School Accompanist

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

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 ...

Columbia College Chicago

Accompanist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$53/hr

The part-time, Staff Accompanist, in their area of musical expertise, provides musical support for modern, ballet, and/or West African Dance technique classes, in deference to the course professor.

Columbia College Chicago

Accompanist

Chicago, IL

$53/hr

The part-time, Staff Accompanist, in their area of musical expertise, provides musical support for modern, ballet, and/or West African Dance technique classes, in deference to the course professor.

Columbia College Chicago

Accompanist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$53/hr

The part-time, Staff Accompanist, in their area of musical expertise, provides musical support for modern, ballet, and/or West African Dance technique classes, in deference to the course professor.

Columbia College

Accompanist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$53/hr

The part-time, Staff Accompanist, in their area of musical expertise, provides musical support for modern, ballet, and/or West African Dance technique classes, in deference to the course professor.

Columbia College Chicago

Accompanist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$53/hr

The part-time, Staff Accompanist, in their area of musical expertise, provides musical support for modern, ballet, and/or West African Dance technique classes, in deference to the course professor.

Berklee College of Music

Dance Accompanist

Boston, MA · On-site

Potential times needed for ballet accompanying are M/T/R/F 9:00-10:30 AM. Potentially available ... Required for modern/contemporary technique class accompanist: * Advanced technique and strong ...

Boston Conservatory

Dance Accompanist

Boston, MA · On-site

$40/hr

Potential times needed for ballet accompanying are M/T/R/F 9:00-10:30 AM. Potentially available ... Required for modern/contemporary technique class accompanist: * Advanced technique and strong ...

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Ballet Accompanist information

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How much do ballet accompanist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for ballet accompanist in the United States is $26.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a ballet accompanist?

A Ballet Accompanist is a musician who plays live music, typically on piano, to support ballet classes, rehearsals, and sometimes performances. Their role is to provide rhythm, dynamics, and phrasing that align with the movements of the dancers. They must be adaptable, able to improvise, and knowledgeable about a wide range of musical styles. Ballet Accompanists work closely with dance instructors to ensure the music enhances the dancers' training and expression.

What does a ballet accompanist do?

A typical day for a Ballet Accompanist involves working closely with ballet instructors and dancers during classes and rehearsals, selecting or improvising music based on the needs of each session. Responsibilities include arriving early to review the lesson plan, coordinating with the teacher about tempo and style, and adjusting music in real time to support exercises and choreography. Collaborating with colleagues, occasional participation in performances, and maintaining a repertoire library are also common. The work environment is dynamic and interactive, requiring both musical expertise and strong teamwork skills to keep the class energy and flow aligned with the artistic vision.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a ballet accompanist?

To thrive as a Ballet Accompanist, you need advanced piano proficiency, strong sight-reading abilities, and a solid understanding of classical music and ballet repertoire. Familiarity with digital sheet music platforms and audio equipment is often required, and formal musical training or a degree in music is highly valued. Excellent communication, adaptability, and sensitivity to the needs of dancers and instructors distinguish top candidates. These skills enable accompanists to provide appropriate musical support, respond quickly during rehearsals, and contribute to a productive and harmonious studio environment.

Are ballet accompanists in high demand?

Ballet accompanists are in moderate demand, primarily within dance schools, companies, and training programs. Opportunities depend on the level of the institution and the accompanist's skill with piano and dance terminology; freelance work and seasonal contracts are common. Competition can be steady, but specialized skills and experience can improve job prospects.
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Ballet Accompanist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ballet Accompanist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Part Time, and 29% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $54,282 per year, or $26.1 per hour.

School Accompanist

Philadelphia Ballet

Philadelphia, PA • On-site

Part-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

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.

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