Dance Accompanist Intern – Department of Theatre Arts (DANCE) - FWS

Dance Accompanist Intern – Department of Theatre Arts (DANCE) - FWS

Description: 
The Dance Program is seeking a Dance Accompanist Intern to provide live musical accompaniment for dance technique classes and other dance-related activities throughout the academic year. Working in collaboration with dance faculty, the accompanist supports the structure, rhythm, musicality, and overall energy of the class through responsive live music. 

The ideal candidate is a skilled and adaptable musician who is interested in developing experience accompanying dance and learning how music functions within a conservatory and collegiate dance training environments. 
Key Duties Include:  

Attendance: Attend your assigned technique course during the weekly meeting times. 

Live Accompaniment: Perform live musical accompaniment for dance technique class exercises, combinations, and movement explorations. 

Musical Responsiveness: Listen closely to faculty instructions and observe movement to provide appropriate tempo, meter, phrasing, dynamics, and musical character. 

Faculty Collaboration: Work collaboratively with the dance instructor to understand the musical needs of each exercise and respond efficiently to adjustments in tempo, length, rhythm, or quality. 

Improvisation & Repertoire: Draw from improvisation and/or an appropriate range of musical repertoire to support different movement qualities, class structures, and choreographic styles. 

Classroom Awareness: Maintain awareness of the dancers and instructor throughout class, adapting the music as necessary to support timing, transitions, repetition, and the overall flow of the class. 

Rehearsal & Program Support: When requested, provide accompaniment for rehearsals, auditions, dance juries, masterclasses, workshops, or other Dance Program activities. 

Professional Communication: Communicate clearly and respectfully with dance faculty, staff, students, and fellow musicians regarding schedules, musical needs, and program activities. 

Studio & Equipment Care: Assist with the appropriate setup, use, and care of musical instruments and equipment used for accompaniment. 

Professionalism & Consistency: Arrive prepared and on time for all assigned classes and activities and demonstrate reliability, adaptability, and professional studio etiquette. 

 Qualifications: 

Proficiency on piano, percussion, or another instrument appropriate for live dance accompaniment. 

Strong sense of rhythm, tempo, meter, phrasing, and musical structure. 

Ability to improvise and/or adapt musical material in response to movement. 

Strong listening and observational skills. 

Ability to follow verbal and visual cues from a dance instructor. 

Ability to adjust tempo, dynamics, phrasing, and musical quality quickly. 

Strong communication and collaborative skills. 

Reliability, consistency, professionalism, and punctuality. 

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and highly collaborative studio environment. 

Previous experience accompanying dance is preferred but not required; an interest in learning the specialized practice of dance accompaniment is essential. 

 
Fall 2026 Availability:  

Availability should correspond with assigned Dance Program technique classes and activities. 

Primary Work Site:

Dance Institute of Washington: 3400 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010 

Spring 2027 Availability: 
Mondays/Wednesdays 8:10-3:00pm. Saturdays 9am-4pm, during performances, emergency rehearsals, auditions or upon request.  

Primary Work Site:  

Chadwick A Boseman College of Fine Arts, basement level Dance Studio