What Is It & Who Is It for?
United Dance presents the inaugural International Ballet Pianist Symposium, a master intensive held live in Boston, USA. Designed for pianists seeking to enter the field of classical dance accompaniment, as well as current ballet pianists looking to refine and expand their practice, this professional development program combines elite studio training with actionable strategies for developing new, high-value career and revenue opportunities across the ballet industry.

Led by keynote speakers Ellina Akimova (Pianist, Paris Opera Ballet School; Composer & Published Dance Accompanist) and Geneviève Leclair (International Ballet Conductor & Associate Professor, Berklee College of Music), this two-day studio laboratory bridges high-level artistic craft with commercial career growth.

Working live with professional dancers, participating pianists will focus on:

• Advanced Repertoire & Micro-Tempos: Dynamically shadowing soloists and managing musical weight for intricate pointe work, variations, and grand allegro.
• The Studio & Conductor Dialogue: Translating rehearsal cues, score study, and physical movement into mathematically precise time signatures.
• Monetizations & New Revenue: Demystifying studio recording workflows, licensing pathways, examinations, and contract negotiations.

Why Attend? Diversify Beyond Teaching & Freelancing

While traditional private piano teaching and freelance work often caps earnings and carries unpaid admin overhead, classical ballet accompaniment offers high-yield, predictable income streams across the dance sector:

• Daily Academy & School Classes: $35 – $75 per hour
• Company Rehearsals & Masterclasses: $60 – $100+ per hour
• Syllabus Exams (Royal Academy of Dance/Cecchetti) & International Competitions (Youth American Grand Prix): $75 – $150+ per hour (or $300 – $600+ day rates)

The 12-hour intensive gives you the competitive edge to immediately convert new client inquiries into high-paying studio and competition bookings.

*As United Dance is a non-profit organization, registration fees are tax-deductible.

Details & Registration:
Dates: October 31 & November 1, 2026
Location: Boston Ballet School (Boston, MA)
Early Bird Discount: Save 40% with code necircle0211640 through September 15.
Info & Portal: www.uniteddancepro.org

Requirements:

To ensure all participants benefit fully form the symposium, applications should possess:

• Advanced piano proficiency
• Formal music training (minimum equivalent of five year conservatory or music school program) or comparable professional expereince
• Fluency in reading musical scores
• A genuine interest in classical ballet and dance

Participation does not constitute professional certification as a ballet accompanist.