MMus (Piano for Dance)
Scottish Ballet’s MMus (Piano for Dance) degree, accredited by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, offers a unique mix of professional tutelage and practical application and is the only course of its kind in the world.
Graduate pianists aspiring to work within the professional dance world have come to Glasgow to take advantage of the mentoring by well-established dance musicians, the opportunity to experience working within a professional environment and to learn from the support and friendship offered by close association with the Artistic Staff and the Company dancers.
Whether the students arrive with experience of working within dance, or with no previous experience at all, the programme ensures that they will leave with the skills required to work in the professional dance sector. From the earliest stages of training the students accompany all aspects of the Company’s work, in dancers’ classes, rehearsals or education projects. Uniquely amongst pianists those engaged in dance are expected to be able to improvise and the course places great emphasis on developing this skill.
As with any post-graduate study experienced support is critical. Our small team of John Davidson, Music & Orchestral Services Manager, and Brian Prentice, Company Pianist, provide stability throughout the course Previous students have praised the dancers for their support and friendship.
There is a chronic lack of skilled dance pianists and it is gratifying that all our previous students have found work within the dance world, amongst other companies with Birmingham Royal Ballet and Northern Ballet.
Those wishing to apply should contact Registry at The Royal Conservatoire for details.
Registry
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
100 Renfrew Street
Glasgow
G2 3DB
Tel: 0141 270 8285
Email:registry@rcs.ac.uk
Website: www.rcs.ac.uk
Or contact: engagement@scottishballet.co.uk
In association with The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Want to know if this course is right for you? Read testimonials from our students below…
Sara Almohalla Gonzalez
My second year on the MMus Piano for Dance course has been an unforgettable experience of complete immersion in the professional dance world of Scottish Ballet. Being part of a professional dance company has been really exciting and has taught me the importance of the role of piano accompaniment in ballet. Through a combination of lessons with Brian Prentice and Richard Honner, observing ballet classes and working practically as an accompanist, I have had the opportunity to consolidate my playing both in daily ballet classes and in repertoire rehearsals.
Playing for Scottish Ballet has been a unique and rich experience that has helped me to focus on my career as a dance accompanist. Since graduating I have been working with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Scottish Ballet Associates programme, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and The Dance School of Scotland.
All of this would not have been possible without the generous support I received from everyone at Scottish Ballet. The whole team made me feel at home and integrated into their Company from day one.
Without a doubt, this has been one of the most exciting and enriching experiences of my life.
Sara Almohalla Gonzalez , MMus (Piano For Dance) Student
Photo credit: Rachele Dunn
Wen Yang Ho
The course exceeded my expectations and offered me more than what I have imagined. Other than the one-to-one piano technique lessons and the research and writing subjects in fulfillment of the Masters in Music criteria, there was a wide variety of Electives and supporting modules to choose from at the conservatoire. On top of all these modules, the main crux of the Piano for Dance programme lies in the highly specialised modules run in conjunction with the Scottish Ballet. The limit of two students per intake, allow the programme to be personalised and versatile, catering to the individual’s growth and capabilities.
‘The course was a great and enriching experience, one that I would highly recommend to interested beginners or even experienced accompanists looking to further their skills’
Wen Yang Ho, MMus (Piano For Dance) Student
