About the role#
The School of Philadelphia Ballet Piano Internship offers piano students hands-on experience accompanying professional ballet classes. This program provides individualized training, observation opportunities, and mentorship from the Lead Accompanist and School Director to help pianists develop the skills required for professional ballet accompaniment. Candidates will participate in a structured training phase including private mentorship, class observation, and a final audition before beginning their assigned classes.
What you'll do#
- Play for evening ballet classes, levels 4 to 7, for 4 to 6 hours per week.
- Participate in select classes while receiving ongoing mentorship and feedback.
- Develop an understanding of ballet class structure, dancer needs, and movement phrasing.
- Build a repertoire suitable for ballet training while gaining professional experience in a studio setting.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a university music program or recent graduation, with a preference for piano majors.
- Prior collaborative experience such as accompanying voice lessons, choirs, or other instrumentalists.
- Demonstrated technical level and musical maturity through the preparation of three musical pieces representing three different periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Contemporary).
- Ability to provide satisfactory background checks and child abuse clearances.
Location & details#
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Term: Fall 2026.
- Modality: On-site.
- Compensation: A weekly stipend is provided based on the scheduled classes played.
About Philadelphia Ballet
Philadelphia Ballet is a nonprofit performing arts organization based in Philadelphia. Founded in 1963, the company maintains a repertoire that includes both classic works and new productions. It employs 127 people and manages an annual season consisting of six distinct programs. The company is known for its yearly presentation of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker.
How to get in at Philadelphia Ballet
Securing an internship at Philadelphia Ballet requires staying ahead of the applicant pool. Because early applicants are often reviewed before the volume of submissions becomes unmanageable, Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published. This allows you to apply among the first, which is a significant advantage in a competitive field. You can also improve your response rates by reaching out to the people managing these positions directly. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the roles at Philadelphia Ballet so you can contact them to ask about the position or a referral. This direct approach often proves more effective than submitting an application into a general queue.
