Staff Pianist/KTC Music Director
Inside Higher Ed, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
Position Title
Staff Pianist/KTC Music Director
Job Information
Posting Open Date: 03/09/2026
Application Deadline: 04/05/2026
Position Number: 20072945
Vacancy ID: S026977
Department: Dramatic Art – 310200
Work Schedule Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM with some weekends.
Hours per week 10
Position Type Part‑Time Temporary
Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range $25.00 - $30.00 per hour
Proposed Start Date 08/01/2026
Estimated Duration of Appointment 6 months, not to exceed 11 months
Position Summary The Staff Pianist/KTC Music Director serves as the principal accompanist and music director for the Kenan Theatre Company (KTC), the undergraduate production arm of the Department of Dramatic Art. This position provides musical leadership, instruction, and performance support for curricular and production activities in collaboration with faculty, guest artists, and the Department of Music. The staff pianist serves as accompanist and music director for one Musical Theatre course each semester. Responsibilities include leading vocal warm‑ups, recording rehearsal and practice tracks, and providing live piano accompaniment for in‑class work sessions focused on musical theatre repertoire and scene study. Courses meet twice weekly for 1 hour and 15 minutes. For the annual KTC musical production, the position serves as Music Director, Pianist, and Conductor. In coordination with the Music Supervisor (appointed by the Department of Music), the staff pianist supports DRAM 216, the course in which the cast learns and prepares the musical score. Once staging rehearsals begin, the position assumes full music direction responsibilities, providing piano accompaniment for rehearsals and conducting and/or performing with the orchestra for technical rehearsals and public performances. Additional responsibilities may include accompanying auditions for KTC, performing for special events, and collaborating with the Music Supervisor to contract professional pit musicians when student staffing is not sufficient.
Responsibilities
Lead vocal warm‑ups and conduct rehearsals.
Record rehearsal and practice tracks.
Provide live piano accompaniment during in‑class sessions (1 hour and 15 minutes, twice weekly).
Serve as Music Director, Pianist, and Conductor for the annual KTC musical production.
Support DRAM 216 course by adjusting musical arrangements for the cast.
Provide full music direction during staging rehearsals: accompaniment, conducting, and performing with orchestra for technical rehearsals and public performances.
Assist with accompanying auditions for KTC and perform at special events.
Collaborate with the Music Supervisor to contract professional pit musicians when necessary.
Qualifications
Graduation from a four‑year college or university with a degree preferably in Theatre Arts, or equivalent combination of training and experience.
Professional experience in the arts field.
Ability to operate audio equipment used in live productions.
Experience as accompanist, music director, or pianist in musical theatre or similar contexts.
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities Not Applicable.
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Job Information
Posting Open Date: 03/09/2026
Application Deadline: 04/05/2026
Position Number: 20072945
Vacancy ID: S026977
Department: Dramatic Art – 310200
Work Schedule Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM with some weekends.
Hours per week 10
Position Type Part‑Time Temporary
Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range $25.00 - $30.00 per hour
Proposed Start Date 08/01/2026
Estimated Duration of Appointment 6 months, not to exceed 11 months
Position Summary The Staff Pianist/KTC Music Director serves as the principal accompanist and music director for the Kenan Theatre Company (KTC), the undergraduate production arm of the Department of Dramatic Art. This position provides musical leadership, instruction, and performance support for curricular and production activities in collaboration with faculty, guest artists, and the Department of Music. The staff pianist serves as accompanist and music director for one Musical Theatre course each semester. Responsibilities include leading vocal warm‑ups, recording rehearsal and practice tracks, and providing live piano accompaniment for in‑class work sessions focused on musical theatre repertoire and scene study. Courses meet twice weekly for 1 hour and 15 minutes. For the annual KTC musical production, the position serves as Music Director, Pianist, and Conductor. In coordination with the Music Supervisor (appointed by the Department of Music), the staff pianist supports DRAM 216, the course in which the cast learns and prepares the musical score. Once staging rehearsals begin, the position assumes full music direction responsibilities, providing piano accompaniment for rehearsals and conducting and/or performing with the orchestra for technical rehearsals and public performances. Additional responsibilities may include accompanying auditions for KTC, performing for special events, and collaborating with the Music Supervisor to contract professional pit musicians when student staffing is not sufficient.
Responsibilities
Lead vocal warm‑ups and conduct rehearsals.
Record rehearsal and practice tracks.
Provide live piano accompaniment during in‑class sessions (1 hour and 15 minutes, twice weekly).
Serve as Music Director, Pianist, and Conductor for the annual KTC musical production.
Support DRAM 216 course by adjusting musical arrangements for the cast.
Provide full music direction during staging rehearsals: accompaniment, conducting, and performing with orchestra for technical rehearsals and public performances.
Assist with accompanying auditions for KTC and perform at special events.
Collaborate with the Music Supervisor to contract professional pit musicians when necessary.
Qualifications
Graduation from a four‑year college or university with a degree preferably in Theatre Arts, or equivalent combination of training and experience.
Professional experience in the arts field.
Ability to operate audio equipment used in live productions.
Experience as accompanist, music director, or pianist in musical theatre or similar contexts.
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities Not Applicable.
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