Northern Ballet is looking for a Pianist to join our Music Department.
- Salary: c. £40,000
- Hours: Full-time
- Location: Based in Leeds and touring
- Closing date for applications: noon on Friday 12 June
- Auditions to be held 17 July in person in Leeds. Candidates invited to audition will be provided further information.
Key Responsibilities
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Performance & Rehearsal
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- Play for Company rehearsals and auditions, facilitating recorded or live accompaniment as required, and work with other areas of the Company including, but not limited to, the Academy of Northern Ballet, Learning, and Development.
- Play for Ballet Class, providing musical energy and inspiration in collaboration with ballet staff.
- Perform in a solo or orchestral capacity, as required.
- Rehearse and Direct from the piano, Northern Ballet’s Children’s Ballet productions to the highest possible standard.
- Prepare for all duties as necessary, acquiring sufficient knowledge of choreography and tempi requirements to ensure the highest standard of performance during rehearsals.
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Production & Collaboration
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- Liaise with choreographers and composers as required on musical matters regarding new or revival productions.
- Assist rehearsal directors with all musical matters during the creation and revival of productions.
- Collaborate with Conductors during rehearsals and piano runs.
- Undertake domestic and overseas touring with the Company as required.
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Administration & Technical
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- Assist the touring technical department in the set-up of the orchestra pit and sound equipment as agreed for Main Stage touring, and Children’s Ballet productions.
- Contribute to the preparation and upkeep of piano scores as appropriate, in collaboration with other Company Pianists and the Head of Music Administration.
This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required of the prospective employee and does not form part of the contract of employment. It is neither wholly comprehensive nor restrictive and therefore does not preclude change or development that will inevitably be required in the future.
Qualifications and Experience
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Experience
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Essential
- Professional experience as a repetiteur or accompanist
- Significant professional performance experience
Desirable
- Experience of playing for ballet class and rehearsal, or working with dancers
- Experience of working in a professional Ballet Company
- Experience of conducting or directing musical ensembles from the piano
- Professional orchestral experience
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Knowledge
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Essential
- An understanding of the relationship between music and dance
- A broad knowledge of the classical ballet vocabulary
Desirable
- A broad knowledge of ballet repertoire
- An understanding of the working practices of a major touring Ballet Company
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Skills
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Essential
- An excellent pianist and with a high level of general musicianship
- The ability to play for performances, including solo, concerto and orchestral work, as required
- A demonstrable track record of working as part of varied artistic team
- A high level of self-motivation and organisational skills
We offer a generous holiday allowance of five weeks per year, plus Bank Holidays. We value long-term commitment, so your allowance will increase further after five and ten years of service. Additionally, we operate a Time Off in Lieu policy; if the performance schedule requires you to travel or work on a Sunday or Bank Holiday, you will receive that time back to ensure a healthy work-life balance.
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a covering letter explaining why you'd be suitable for the role to recruitment@northernballet.com by Friday 12 June 2026 at 12:00 (noon).
We also ask applicants to complete our equal opportunities monitoring form.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
Northern Ballet is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. We are happy to discuss access requirements and make reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, including providing materials in alternative formats or adapting the interview process.
If you’re excited by the idea of supporting extraordinary artistic work through strong, forward looking financial management, we’d love to hear from you.
Header image from Gentleman Jack with dancer Rachael Gillespie, photo Colleen Mair.
About Northern Ballet
One of the world's leading ballet companies. Based in Leeds, UK, we tour the UK with our unique brand of dance storytelling, on a mission to make ballet accessible to everyone.
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Watch Northern Ballet
On stage and screen, Northern Ballet's mission is to bring world-class ballet to as wide an audience as possible.
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