Reddit reviews Dance and Music: A Guide to Dance Accompaniment for Musicians and Dance Teachers

I'm the music director/coordinator for a large ballet company, so I play for a lot of ballet classes. I'd highly recommend reading: http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Accompaniment-Musicians-Teachers/dp/0813018870/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371184317&sr=8-1&keywords=ballet+accompaniment

Almost any song can be played appropriately for a ballet combination, but a pianist must be experienced and flexible enough to mold a melody/song to properly fit an instructor's needs. Can you turn a 4/4 into a 3/4, or a 2/4, or a 6/8? I play classical, jazz standards, tangos, rag-time, waltzes, pop tunes, adagios... You have to be very versatile as a pianist, while playing music appropriate to the feel needed for the class. Some great pianists are horrible ballet accompanists. It really requires a certain personality and the ability to think on your feet, as well as a certain energy (be it high, low, gentle, heavy, light, etc) to your playing. Some pianists' playing will really drag a class down!

I am always happy to allow interested pianists the opportunity to sit in on classes. Do you have that option in your area? It's the best way to learn. Taking ballet classes and learning the names of exercises and positions yourself is also very helpful. :)

Hope that helps!