The Academy of Ballet Accompaniment/The Pro Track (Most Popular)

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"Become a Paid Ballet Accompanist in Months—Not Years"

  • Course
  • 121 Lessons

Train online with a former Principal pianist and Professional dancer who has worked with the world’s top Ballet companies and schools. Learn the unspoken rules of the studio and get hired with confidence.

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“The Problem Nobody Talks About”

TheTruth They Never Taught You in Music School

You’ve studied piano for years.
You’ve practiced scales, nailed performances, maybe even earned a music degree.

But when it comes to playing for ballet… you’re flying blind.

No one taught you class structure.
No one showed you how to adjust tempo on the fly.
No one warned you about that moment—when the dancers freeze and stare because your music doesn’t match the movement.

“I remember fumbling with sheet music as a room full of dancers waited in silence. It was brutal. No one gave me a roadmap.”

The craziest part?
Even world-class musicians—Juilliard and Curtis-trained pianists—fail these auditions. Not because they can’t play…

But because they were never trained for this world.

🤐 Why? Because This Skill Has Never Been Taught Properly.

You won’t find it in colleges.
You won’t find it in music textbooks.
You won’t even find it in most conservatories.

Ballet accompaniment is a specialized craft. It requires speed, intuition, musicality, and movement awareness. And if you haven’t worked in this world…

🎯 You’ll get weeded out fast.
🎯 You’ll lose opportunities you could have nailed.
🎯 You’ll go back to inconsistent gigs, wondering what went wrong.

But here’s the truth:
It’s not your fault.
You weren’t trained for this.

Until now.


What If Your Piano Skills Finally Opened the Right Doors?

🎼What If You Were the Pianist Everyone Wanted in the Room?

Imagine walking into a sunlit studio.
The air hums with quiet discipline. Dancers stretch, warm up, breathe.
You sit at the piano. The ballet master gives you a nod.
And you know exactly what to play — without missing a beat.

There’s no confusion. No scrambling.
Just flow. Collaboration. Command.

You’re no longer guessing tempos or flipping pages mid-exercise.
You’re leading the room with confidence.
You're making their job easier. You're indispensable.

Directors ask for you by name.
Dancers say you “get it.”
And you finally feel like the artist you were always meant to be.

💼 This Isn’t Just a Better Job — It’s a Better Identity

✅ Play for world-class dancers in elite studios
✅ Earn steady income doing what you love
✅ Build real prestige and relationships in the artistic world
✅ Finally feel like your piano skills matter again

And the best part?
This transformation doesn’t take years.
It can start in just weeks, once you learn the unspoken structure of the ballet studio.

You bring the talent.
We’ll give you the map.

take a look

What You'll Learn

Welcome

Welcome!
About our Online Course
Our Training

Resources

The Ballet Pianist Ebook
ABA Music Book
The Academy of Ballet Accompaniment Founder
Course Requirements
Required Book & References
Course Goals
Ballet Pianist Benefits
Types of Evaluation
Contact
Slideshow

Module 1

Lesson 1 :The Company
Lesson 2 : Music for the Ballet Class
Lesson 3 : The Ballet School
Lesson 4 : Introduction to the Ballet Class
Lesson 5 : The Ballet Technique Class
Lesson 6 : Ballet Technique Class Structure

(M1) The Ballet Technique Class : The Barre

The Ballet Barre
The Reverence
The Warm Up
The Plie
The Tendu
The Jete
The Ronde de Jambe
The Fondu
The Frappe
The Adagio
The Grande Battement

(M1) The Ballet Technique Class : The Center

The Center
Center Tendu
Center Jete
Center Adagio
The Pirouette
The Petit Allegro
The Medium Allegro
The Grande Allegro
The Coda

(M1) Important Ballet Terminology

Important Terminology
En Croix
Port de Bras
Ronde De Jambe En L'air
Dancer Arm and Leg Positions
Music Selection
Musical Selection : Traditional Vs Modern
Module 1 : Summary

Module 2

Module 2 : Introduction
Lesson 1 & 2 : The Square 8
Lesson 3 : Simplicity
Lesson 4 : Embellishment

(M2) The Ballet Barre : In-Depth

The Reverence
The Warm Up : A deeper look...
The Plie : A deeper look...
The Tendu : A deeper look...
The Jete : A deeper look...
The Ronde de Jambe : A deeper look...
The Adagio : A deeper look...
The Fondu : A deeper look...
The Frappe : A deeper look...
Adagio : A deeper look

(M2) The Ballet Center : In-Depth

The Center Tendu : A deeper look...
Center Jete : A deeper look...
The Center Adagio : A deeper look...
The Pirouette : A deeper look...
The Petit Allegro : A deeper look...
The Medium Allegro : A deeper look...
The Grande Allegro : A deeper look...

(M2) Music and the Ballet Pianist

The Simple Introduction
The Structure of Ballet Music
Pitfalls and the Ballet Pianist
Musical Flexibility
The Importance of Piano Technique
The Importance of Attention
Module 2 : Summary

Module 3

Module 3 : Introduction
Lesson 1 : The Pointe Class
Lesson 2 : The Pointe Class Structure
Lesson 3 : Active Listening
Lesson 4 : The Men's Class
Lesson 5 : The Men's Class Structure
Lesson 6 : Register Expansion
Lesson 7 : The Pas de Deux Class
Module 3 : Summary

Module 4

Module 4 : Introduction
Lesson 1 : The Character Class
Lesson 2 : The Character Class Structure
Lesson 3 : Modal Scales
Lesson 4 : The Rehearsal Pianist
Lesson 5 : Rehearsal Pianist Pros & Cons
Lesson 6 : The Rehearsal Pianist Path
Lesson 8 : Contract Navigation
Lesson 9 : Business and The Ballet
Module 4 : Summary

Audio Examples

Warm Up (with balance)
Plie (with balance)
Tendu Slow
Tendu Quicker
Tendu Ragtime
Jete Polka (with balance)
Jete Quicker Polka (with Balance)
Jete Irish Eyes
Jete Quick Polka
Ronde de Jambe
Fondu (with balance) Tango
Frappe (with balance) Volare
Adagio 1
Center Adagio 2
Adagio 2 (short)
Grand Battement Besame Mucho
Center Tendu Ragtime
Center Jete Tarantella
Pirouette 1
Pirouette 2
Warm Up Jump Polka
Petit Allegro
Petit Allegro
Medium Allegro _ Wild Irish Rose
Medium Allegro
Grand Allegro
Reverence

Meet Your Mentor

“Music is the language of the soul — and nowhere is that more true than in the ballet studio.” — Joseph Cianciulli

Joseph Cianciulli

-founder

Former Principal Pianist for the Pennsylvania Ballet
Professional Dancer with the Louisville Ballet
Founder of the Academy of Ballet Accompaniment

I’ve spent my career on both sides of the studio.

First as a dancer, then as a pianist — collaborating with the most respected ballet companies in the world:
Pennsylvania Ballet, Louisville Ballet, Houston Ballet, ABT, PNB, Tulsa Ballet, and more.

For over 15 years, I’ve played for world-class choreographers, worked alongside principal dancers, and trained under legendary dancers. I’ve also been in the hot seat — auditioning, fumbling, failing, and learning everything the hard way so you don’t have to.

Inside this course, I don’t just teach piano technique.

I teach you the invisible craft — musical instinct, tempo control, studio intuition, and how to support a dancer’s artistry in real time. You’ll learn how to walk into any ballet class and own the room.

“We don’t train pianists to be good ballet accompanists. We train them to be exceptional ones.”

💬 What Dancers Say About Working With Joseph:

“I have had the pleasure of working with Joseph Cianciulli whose musicality, sensitivity and deep understanding of movement elevated every class. His intuitive playing brought energy, nuance and rhythm that not only supported the dancers but also inspired them to reach deeper into their artistry.
Joseph’s ability to improvise, adapt tempos and match the energy of each exercise created an inspiring and dynamic atmosphere.
He is an exceptional talent who has inspired so many.”

Children's Staging Director, Pennsylvania Ballet | Former Company Dancer

💬 From Music Professionals:

“Joseph Cianciulli offers a deeply informed, practical, and inspiring roadmap into a field that is often overlooked in traditional music education...
The course walks readers step-by-step through the essentials, blending musical detail with real-world wisdom. A must-have resource.”
Former Principal Pianist, Houston Ballet School

Pricing Table – Choose Your Track

  • Waitlist

"Become a Paid Ballet Accompanist in Months—Not Years"

  • Course
  • 121 Lessons

Train online with a former Principal pianist and Professional dancer who has worked with the world’s top Ballet companies and schools. Learn the unspoken rules of the studio and get hired with confidence.

You're signing up to receive emails from .

  • Waitlist

The Accelerator Cohort

  • Bundle
  • 2 Items

🚀 Go all-in. Get hired. Includes everything in Pro — plus 1-on-1 mentorship, personalized coaching, audition prep, personal letter of recommendation and job strategy. 👉 For professionals ready to turn their talent into a full career inside the studio. Seats capped at 15.

✅ Your Risk-Free Guarantee

Try the Academy of Ballet Accompaniment completely risk-free for 7 days.
If you get inside and realize it’s not the right fit — if it doesn’t feel like the career upgrade you hoped for — just email us and we’ll refund every penny. No questions. No guilt. No drama.

We’re not here to “sell a course”...

We’re here to build professionals.

❓ FAQ — Ask Us Anything

❓ Do I need ballet or dance experience to take this course?

Nope. You don’t need any prior dance background.
You bring the piano skill — we’ll teach you everything else:
Class structure, tempo control, musical phrasing, and how to read and support movement.


❓ What if I’ve never played for a dancer in my life?

That’s exactly who this course was made for.
We walk you through the process step-by-step, from your first class scenario to how to communicate with ballet masters and adapt in real time. You’ll avoid the painful trial-and-error most pianists go through.


❓ How long will it take before I can get paid to work?

Many students are ready to audition or sub for ballet classes within 6–12 weeks, depending on your commitment level.
If you go through the modules, practice using the included music guide, and apply our class strategies — you’ll be studio-ready faster than you think.


❓ Can I go at my own pace?

Absolutely.
This is a self-paced, on-demand course hosted through Podia. You can move through the material in your own time, from anywhere in the world. There’s no pressure — but we do give you structure so you don’t get lost.


❓ What’s included in the course?

  • Lifetime access to all video modules

  • A comprehensive coursebook that breaks down every class structure, technique, and etiquette scenario

  • A Musical Accompaniment Book with curated music for barre, center, allegro, and more — specifically for pianists new to ballet

  • Optional certification track and support pathways for paid work


❓ I’m interested, but the price feels steep — what if this doesn’t pay off?

We get it.
But this isn’t just another music course. This is a path to real, paid, respected work.

Many of our students go from $25–$30/hour teaching lessons to $45–$75/hour accompanying ballet, with opportunities to land consistent contracts at dance academies and companies.

If you take this seriously, it pays you back.


❓ Is this even a real career path?

More than ever.

Ballet companies, dance schools, and summer intensives urgently need trained accompanists.
Most pianists never learn how to work in this field — and that’s why they don’t get hired.

This course gives you the skills, structure, and insider advantage that most musicians never receive.


Still unsure?
Email us your questions at academyofballetpiano@gmail.com, and we’ll personally help you decide if this path is right for you.


⏳Limited Access — Serious Training Only

Seats are limited. Doors are closing. The opportunity is real.

Most musicians never hear about ballet accompaniment until it's too late.
And even when they do — they don’t know where to start.
You do. Right here. Right now.

We keep this course intentionally small and focused.
Why? Because we don’t train hobbyists.
We train professionals.


🎓 Accelerator Track: Only 15 seats per cohort

We open enrollment in waves, and once the cohort fills — it closes.
No exceptions. No extensions.

Your next opportunity could be days away… or months.


🎁 BONUS — FOR THIS WEEK ONLY:

Enroll in any track and receive a 1-on-1 live feedback session with Joseph himself — a rare chance to get direct insight from someone who’s played for NYC Ballet, ABT, PNB, and more.

🎧 Real feedback.
🎼 Real music.
🎯 Real results.

Offer expires when the next 15 enrollments are filled — or the countdown ends.

✅ Ready to Make This Real?

🎹 You already have the skill.
Let us give you the structure, the system, and the studio confidence you’ve been missing.

This is your moment to leave burnout behind and walk into a career that pays, fulfills, and elevates.

👉 Enroll Now
(Choose your track below before the next cohort closes)

  • Waitlist

"Become a Paid Ballet Accompanist in Months—Not Years"

  • Course
  • 121 Lessons

Train online with a former Principal pianist and Professional dancer who has worked with the world’s top Ballet companies and schools. Learn the unspoken rules of the studio and get hired with confidence.

You're signing up to receive emails from .

  • Waitlist

The Accelerator Cohort

  • Bundle
  • 2 Items

🚀 Go all-in. Get hired. Includes everything in Pro — plus 1-on-1 mentorship, personalized coaching, audition prep, personal letter of recommendation and job strategy. 👉 For professionals ready to turn their talent into a full career inside the studio. Seats capped at 15.

Only 15 Seats. Don’t Miss Your Shot.


🎹 This Is Your Moment.

If you’re ready to stop chasing gigs…
If you want respect, consistency, and creative fulfillment…
It starts here.

👉 Enroll Now
(Choose your track below)

💬 7-Day Risk-Free Guarantee
⏳ Rolling Enrollment – Seats fill fast

  • Waitlist

The Pro Track (Most Popular)

  • Course
  • 121 Lessons
  • Includes 1 additional product

🎯 Get feedback. Build confidence. Includes everything in Essentials — plus a deeper dive into a career as Ballet Accompanist. Receive direct feedback, live coaching calls, Certificate of Competency. 👉 For musicians ready to stop guessing and start preparing for real paid work — with a mentor in their corner.

Includes 1 additional product

  • Waitlist

The Accelerator Cohort

  • Bundle
  • 2 Items

🚀 Go all-in. Get hired. Includes everything in Pro — plus 1-on-1 mentorship, personalized coaching, audition prep, personal letter of recommendation and job strategy. 👉 For professionals ready to turn their talent into a full career inside the studio. Seats capped at 15.