Dance Accompanist

berklee; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

The Boston Conservatory at Berklee Dance Division seeks skilled pianists and percussionists to accompany ballet and modern/contemporary dance technique classes in Boston. Applications should indicate requested styles (ballet or modern/contemporary) and instruments.

Some positions may be for subbing or extended through spring semester. Ideal candidates have advanced technique, strong musicality, and improvisational ability to adapt tempo and meter to instructor needs.

Qualifications

• Advanced technique and strong musicality on piano or percussion.
• Ability to communicate with the instructor and adjust tempo/music on request.
• Strong improvisational abilities to support choreography.
• Experience accompanying dance classes is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Accompany modern/contemporary dance classes with improvised music synchronized to tempo and movement.
• Accompany ballet classes with repertoire or improvisation matching tempo and phrasing.
• Maintain consistent tempo and communicate effectively with instructors.
• Adapt to changing meters, tempos and instructor requests as needed.

Skills

Advanced technique

Improvise music

Tempo/rhythm control

Communication with teacher

Sight-reading

Range of tempos

Textural sounds

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in music

Tools

Acoustic piano

Job description

Job Description:

The Boston Conservatory at Berklee Dance Division seeks:

skilled percussionists for modern/contemporary dance technique classes

skilled pianists for ballet technique classes and/or modern dance technique classes

Previous experience is strongly preferred but not required. Please indicate in your cover letter which style(s) you are applying for (ballet or modern/contemporary dance, or both) and your instrument(s).

Potential times needed for ballet accompanying are M/T/R/F 9:00-10:30 AM. Potentially available times needed for modern/contemporary accompanying are M/T/R/F 11:00 AM-12:30 PM. On rare occasion, Wednesday or afternoon classes are available.

This may or may not be a position that extends through spring semester. Some positions may be for subbing only.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Modern/Contemporary Dance Technique Class Accompanist:

The pianist or percussionist shall improvise music to match tempo, meter, musicality and length of dance exercises or combinations given by a dance instructor to dance students. The musicians usually plays alone but occasionally may be combined with another musician.

Classes are based on 20th and 21st century concert dance techniques and styles (such as Graham, Horton, and Limón, among others). Styles and idioms of music or playing you provide can vary, depending on the particular movement qualities/aesthetic, but a personalized style that effectively complements the dance movement is often the most ideal. The majority of music played is spontaneously composed/improvised on the spot by a capable improviser able to complement and support choreographic movement and able to inspire the dancers.

Required for modern/contemporary technique class accompanist:

• Advanced technique and strong musicality on one's primary instrument (piano or percussion)


• Ability to communicate effectively with the teacher, making necessary adjustments in tempo/rhythmic or music choice upon instructor's request and to tactfully ask for clarification when needed


• Outstanding improvisational skills Teacher will usually set a tempo for the accompanist for each exercise/combination and the accompanist improvises while watching the dancers, complementing and supporting the movement with creative musical choices made within the parameters of the instructor's given tempo and meter


• Ability to keep consistent and precise tempos given by instructor, ability and willingness to adapt to any requested changes


• Ability to occasionally play odd meters/phrases or change meter mid-exercise where required (the instructor almost always teaches an exercise without music first, so the accompanist can observe and note any needed changes that would be expected before playing)


• Ability to play a range of tempos, time signatures and rhythmic/stylistic qualities


• Ability to provide textural, non-rhythmic, timbral-focused sounds when needed

Ballet Technique Class Accompanist :

The pianist plays repertoire of their choosing or capably improvises (mostly in classical styles but also can include popular styles of music) to ballet exercises and combinations taught by the instructor, providing appropriate music to match the tempo, meter, musicality and length of each ballet exercise. (Repertoire may need to be edited to match length and phrasing of exercises.)

Ideally, we are looking for pianists with a combination of strong classical training and strong improvisation skills in classical as well as other styles.

Required skills for ballet technique class accompanist:

• Advanced classical piano technique


• Excellent sight reading ability and ability to learn intermediate to advanced music quickly


• Improvisational skills; the more fluent as an improviser the better


• Effectively choose appropriate music (or improvise) within seconds' notice to support each exercise. This takes familiarity and experience with class structure. Improvisational skills are extremely helpful to circumvent delays in finding music quickly, or as an end itself to provide original inspired music for the dancers.


• 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 maintain consistent tempo. Use of rubato is appropriate or needed in certain moments or types of exercises.


• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with the teacher, making necessary adjustments in tempo or music choices upon instructor's request.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in music, preferably in piano or percussion performance

EXPERIENCE

Strongly prefer previous experience playing for ballet and/or modern dance classes

STUDIO ENVIRONMENT and PROTOCOLS

Most dance studios are equipped with acoustic pianos (mostly Yamaha U1's, one concert grand) and a few smaller studios are equipped with digital pianos

Accompanists generally do not speak during class other than to ask for clarification from the teacher or when approached b