Part-Time Dance Percussionist (Modern & West African)

Point Park University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Point Park University in Pittsburgh seeks a part-time Percussion Accompanist (Dance) to provide live, improvised percussion for studio and class dance work. The role supports modern and West African techniques, including Graham and Horton exercises, and requires strong improvisation and musical responsiveness.

Responsibilities include selecting material, maintaining tempo and musical structure, cueing dancers, and collaborating with instructors to adapt to class needs.

Qualifications

• Excellence in percussion performance and live dance accompaniment.
• Knowledge of Modern and West African dance repertoire.
• Organizational skills appropriate to university course scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Provide live, improvised percussion accompaniment for studio/class dance work.
• Select and perform appropriate musical material with accuracy and responsiveness.
• Clearly support the structure of dance exercises by emphasizing rhythms, counts, transitions, and phrasing.
• Accompany Modern and West African dance classes including Graham and Horton exercises.
• Develop a broad dance-accompaniment vocabulary through observation and collaboration.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff and adapt to changing instructional and scheduling needs.

Skills

Percussion performance

Live dance accompaniment

Improvisation

Modern dance repertoire

West African dance repertoire

Dance accompaniment

Organizational skills

Job description

Point Park University in Pittsburgh seeks a part-time Percussion Accompanist (Dance) to provide live, improvised percussion for studio and class dance work. The role supports modern and West African techniques, including Graham and Horton exercises, and requires strong improvisation and musical responsiveness.

Responsibilities include selecting material, maintaining tempo and musical structure, cueing dancers, and collaborating with instructors to adapt to class needs.