Summary:
As a Company Pianist with Houston Ballet, you’ll be an essential part of the creative process, providing live piano accompaniment for professional ballet classes, rehearsals, and staged performances in collaboration with world-class dancers, conductors, choreographers, and musicians. This role offers the unique opportunity to work in an environment where your playing isn’t just heard, it’s felt in every movement on stage.
This is a full-time, in-person position located in Houston, Texas.
Apply online: https://www.houstonballet.org/about/employment-opportunities/
What You’ll Do:
- Provide musical support for rehearsals and performances, collaborating closely with conductors, other musicians, dancers, and ballet masters.
- Prepare and study scores for company repertoire for rehearsal, ensuring musical excellence in every performance.
- Bring company classes to life with dynamic, sensitive, and responsive piano accompaniment.
- Offer an inspiring range of repertoire and creative improvisations tailored to class and rehearsal needs.
- Work as part of a tight-knit artistic team, including musicians, dancers, choreographers, and backstage crew, to create unforgettable performances.
What We’re Looking For:
- Proven Experience: At least 3 years accompanying ballet classes, rehearsals, or professional dance programs (professional company experience preferred).
- Ballet Fluency: Deep knowledge and experience with ballet terminology, class structure, and classical ballet repertoire.
- Exceptional Musicality: Professional-level pianist with outstanding sight-reading, score interpretation, and improvisation skills, plus the ability to adapt instantly to tempo and dynamic changes.
- Endurance & Adaptability: The stamina to maintain musical quality over long sessions and the flexibility to respond to the evolving needs of the studio.
- Collaborative Spirit: Excellent communication skills, openness to feedback, and the ability to work gracefully with diverse personalities in a fast-paced artistic environment.
- Professional Integrity: Reliability, punctuality, and a commitment to ongoing artistic growth.
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Music, Piano Performance, or equivalent professional experience providing accompaniment for dancers and ballet.
If you’re ready to bring your artistry into a space where music and movement meet, we invite you to apply. Please send your cover letter and résumé. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to audition live or online.
Pay: From $53,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Relocation assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
