UK Scholars Pianist

ROYAL BALLET SCHOOL ENDOWMENT FUND; Richmond; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Employee assistance programme

Annual leave

Learning and development opportunities

Season ticket loan

Discounts off a variety of brands

Job summary

The Royal Ballet School, based at White Lodge in Richmond Park, seeks a skilled pianist to provide piano accompaniment for UK Scholars classes. You will support live music for ballet training and work within a dedicated team of educators and performers.

The post is a fixed-term role from 3 October 2026 to 20 June 2027, with Saturday and Sunday hours. Rate of pay is £30.60 per hour, with sessions on specified Autumn, Spring, and Summer term dates.

Qualifications

• Ability to accompany a range of classes including ballet and character.
• Good sight-reading skills for music across classes.
• Excellent communication with staff and students.
• Flexible team member with professional demeanor.

Responsibilities

• To accompany UK Scholar ballet classes, character and music classes.
• Prepare pieces and provide suitable music as required by the teacher.
• Maintain professional etiquette with students and staff.
• Support the class teacher as necessary.
• Perform any other duties within scope of the role.

Skills

Ability to accompany classes

Sight-reading

Communication skills

Flexibility

Punctual

Empathy with school ethos

Piano

Job description

JOIN OUR TEAM

WORK AT THE ROYAL BALLET SCHOOL

ABOUT US

We are a global organisation with an important mission: to nurture, train and educate exceptional classical ballet dancers and to set the standard for dance training worldwide.

As a boarding school, a performing arts organisation and a charity, our team is varied. Our staff have specialist skills in dance, academics, pastoral care, healthcare, outreach, marketing, fundraising, and operations - to name a few.

We look for committed, enthusiastic candidates who demonstrate the skills and experience we need.

People are the key to our success - we attract, retain, develop and motivate the best in their fields to share our commitment to providing excellent care and education for our aspiring dancers and dance teachers.

OUR VALUES

ACTIVELY WIDENING ACCESS

OUR HERITAGE NOURISHES OUR FUTURE

STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE

NURTURING INDIVIDUALS

ALWAYS INNOVATING

WHAT’S IT FOR YOU?

Our full-time students are based at White Lodge in Richmond Park and Upper School in Covent Garden.

There are two additional boarding houses for Upper School students in Pimlico and Covent Garden.

The Royal Ballet School operates in locations worldwide, including different Associate centres and venues for Intensive Courses.

Across our sites, there are a total of 250 employees. Wherever they work, our team respect each other, knowing everyone has a unique part to play in our organisation’s mission. Our workspaces are friendly, welcoming and inclusive. Our employees share a passion for the arts in society and for supporting individuals to reach their full potential.

GENEROUS PENSION SCHEME

TECH AND
ELECTRIC
VEHICLE SCHEME

CYCLE TO WORK SCHEME

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME

GENEROUS
ANNUAL
LEAVE

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

SEASON TICKET LOAN

DISCOUNTS
OFF A VARIETY
OF BRANDS

UK SCHOLARS PIANIST

APPLICATION DETAILS

LOCATION:
White Lodge, Richmond Park,
TW10 5HR
DURATION:
Fixed Term from 3 October 2026 –
20 June 2027

RATE OF PAY: £30.60 per hour

HOURS: Saturday and Sunday, on the following dates:

Autumn Term Between 10.30 - 14.30: 3 October and 4 October 24 October and 25 October 14 November and 15 November

Summer Term Between 10.30 - 14.45: 1 May and 2 May 22 May and 23 May 19 June and 20 June

Spring Term Between 10.30 - 14.45: 23 January and 24 January 13 February and 14 February 6 March and 7 March

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The UK Scholars Programme introduces the School’s System of Training to talented young students who are Mid Associates studying at private ballet schools. We believe that live music is an essential part of ballet training, and accompanists play an important role in supporting classes.

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE

The post holder will provide piano accompaniment for UK Scholars classes at The Royal Ballet School, White Lodge.

MAIN DUTIES

This list should be seen as illustrative rather than prescriptive;

To accompany UK Scholar ballet classes, character and music classes

Personal preparation to learn the pieces required and provide suitable music as required by the teacher

Correct professional etiquette and courtesy to be always maintained with students and staff

To support the class teacher as necessary

Any other duties may reasonably be required and that fall within the scope and range of the job.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

Ability to accompany a range of classes, including classical and character dance

Good sight-reading skills

Good communication skills with adults and young people

An ability and willingness to be a flexible member of the team

Professional, courteous, well-presented and punctual

Empathy with the values and ethos of the School.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Relevant experience in accompanying classes in an educational environment, and vocational setting.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and recognises that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. The School expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment to children’s safeguarding and to share this child-centred approach. This approach means that staff must consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child. Additionally, the following is expected of all staff:

To uphold the School’s policies relating to safeguarding and child protection, behaviour, health and safety and all other relevant policies

To promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young persons for whom you are responsible and come into contact with

To report any safeguarding concerns using the relevant channels, such as informing the Designated Safeguarding Lead, in a timely and appropriate manner

To ensure full compliance with all statutory regulations, particularly the most recent Keeping Children Safe in Education, and to communicate concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, other relevant staff of The Royal Ballet School or local children’s services as appropriate.

We are committed to creating an environment where all our employees feel part of our team and can flourish, regardless of their background. We’re proud to be an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity.

The information detailed here about this role should not be considered encompassing. Over time, the emphasis of the job may change without changing the general characterisation of the role or the level of duties and responsibilities. This information will be periodically reviewed and revised in consultation with the postholder.

disability confident COMMITTED