Company Pianist

Philadelphia Ballet exists to enrich lives through the transformative power of dance 

Summary/Objective:

The Philadelphia Ballet Company Pianist selects and plays appropriate music for Company classes and plays the season’s repertoire in rehearsals.

Essential Functions:

• 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.

Other Duties: Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list 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.

Supervisory Responsibility:  None

Expected Hours of Work: Regular business hours are 9:00 to 5:00 pm. The Company Pianist schedule aligns with company class and rehearsal hours, which are Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Hours may be adjusted as needed for role. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required during company production weeks.

Travel: Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area travel and overnight may be expected.

 Required Education and Experience:

• 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.
•  upon instructor’s request, in real time.
• Ability to follow a conductor and to simulate the sound and style of the orchestra.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• 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.
• Positive attitude and exceptional work ethic.
• 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. 

Work Authorization/Security Clearance: Must provide satisfactory background clearances as may be required for role.

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.