Alison Raphael, GRSM (Hons)
Alison has a keen interest in children’s ballet music & has written music for the Cecchetti class exams plus dances etc since the early 90's. She has plans to make many more music CD’s which hope to stimulate the musical experience of children who perhaps do not get the chance to work with a pianist often.
This website is something she has been thinking about for many years as people constantly ask her where to purchase good quality music for dance classes & choreography. She is excited about providing a source of inspiration for students, teachers & professionals.
With grateful thanks to my husband who has spent many long hours setting up this site for me!!!!
Debbi Parks, GTCL (hons), LTCL, LLCM, AISTD
Debbi studied Piano and Flute at Trinity College of Music, London and has worked as an Accompanist/MD for Dance and Theatre for 30 years, since making her debut as “Kent’s Youngest Musical Director” at the Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone at the age of 16.
Music publications include the Syllabus music for the Intermediate, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 in Classical Ballet for the ISTD International Dance Examinations Board, and a Musical of “The Little Mermaid” for which she composed the music.
Debbi has composed a wealth of music for all types of Theatre Dance, including composing the music for a Ballet Class Video “Step into Ballet with Wayne Sleep”( in which she also appears as the ballet pianist!) and producing approximately 50 CD’s of music for dance classes and short ballets which have been performed worldwide.
She currently works as a Freelance Accompanist/ Workshop Practitioner for the Education Departments of both The Royal Opera House and The Royal Ballet School on the “Chance to Dance” and “Primary STEPS” outreach programmes. She accompanies regularly at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for The Royal Ballet Company and is also Head of Music at the Deborah Capon College in Whitstable, where she teaches Singing in Musical Theatre, Ballet and Music Theory for dancers.
Ross Alley, B. Mus.
In the field of dance, Ross Alley has worked as a ballet accompanist for around 40 years. Moving to the U.K. from his native New Zealand in 1979, he was pianist and Music Tutor to the Teachers’ Training Course at the Royal Ballet School for ten years. During the same period, he founded a music course at the Benesh Institute of Choreology. In 1994, he was invited to devise and teach the music modules for the B.A. Hons. in Theatre Dance at London Studio Centre. In 2000, he inaugurated an annual series of workshops for graduating students at the London School of Contemporary Dance on using music in dance teaching which evolved into a module of the B.A. programme there.
Ross is closely associated with the Cecchetti Society for whom he has researched, arranged, and edited for publication the music for much of the classical ballet syllabi (Children’s Grades, Class Examinations, Elementary). Additionally, he has evolved and directed Guided Teaching Practice courses for the Cecchetti Society’s teachers in England, the U.S.A., Canada and Italy. A special interest in teacher development has led to the organizing of several seminars: the “How To” Seminar (1991), From Ballet to Business (1992 – for the Royal Academy of Dancing) and The London Seminar (1992, ’93 and ’94)
As a specialist in music for dance, Ross has given numerous guest lectures at events organized by the Royal Opera House Education Dept., Birmingham Royal Ballet Education Dept., London University Musical Diploma Society, Council for Dance Education and Training, Barbican Art Gallery, I.S.T.D., Royal Academy of Dancing, British Ballet Organization, and the Cecchetti Societies of Great Britain, Italy, U.S.A. and Canada.
In 1988, he formed his own company to produce audio cassettes and piano albums of music suitable for the ballet class. Much of this music was researched from rare archival material housed in the British Museum. Ross has also produced two educational ballet videos: Pointe by Point with Barbara Fewster – former principal of the Royal Ballet School, and Ballet for Boys, with Richard Glasstone – former Senior Teacher for boys at White Lodge, the Royal Ballet Lower School.
He has also written a series of articles for The Dancing Times entitled “What’s in a Ballet Score?”
Ross is closely associated with the Cecchetti Society for whom he has researched, arranged, and edited for publication the music for much of the classical ballet syllabi (Children’s Grades, Class Examinations, Elementary). Additionally, he has evolved and directed Guided Teaching Practice courses for the Cecchetti Society’s teachers in England, the U.S.A., Canada and Italy. A special interest in teacher development has led to the organizing of several seminars: the “How To” Seminar (1991), From Ballet to Business (1992 – for the Royal Academy of Dancing) and The London Seminar (1992, ’93 and ’94)
As a specialist in music for dance, Ross has given numerous guest lectures at events organized by the Royal Opera House Education Dept., Birmingham Royal Ballet Education Dept., London University Musical Diploma Society, Council for Dance Education and Training, Barbican Art Gallery, I.S.T.D., Royal Academy of Dancing, British Ballet Organization, and the Cecchetti Societies of Great Britain, Italy, U.S.A. and Canada.
In 1988, he formed his own company to produce audio cassettes and piano albums of music suitable for the ballet class. Much of this music was researched from rare archival material housed in the British Museum. Ross has also produced two educational ballet videos: Pointe by Point with Barbara Fewster – former principal of the Royal Ballet School, and Ballet for Boys, with Richard Glasstone – former Senior Teacher for boys at White Lodge, the Royal Ballet Lower School.
He has also written a series of articles for The Dancing Times entitled “What’s in a Ballet Score?”
Christopher Hobson
Christopher Hobson is a pianist who works both nationally and internationally in the field of ballet accompaniment, musical theatre, arranging and performing. Here is a brief biography:
Christopher started piano lessons at the age of 4. Aged 8 to 11, he attended the Royal Northern College of Music Junior School, under the tuition of Valerie Eastham. Later Christopher trained at the world famous Chetham’s School of Music, studying classical piano with Peter Lawson and jazz piano with Les Chisnall.
Since leaving education, Christopher has worked in the dance field, gaining a wealth of experience playing at some of the most respected dance establishments in the UK such as Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Elmhurst School for Dance, Liverpool Institute for Performing Artsand Central School of Ballet, to name but a few. Whilst working at Northern Ballet (UK), Christopher had the privilege to work with many world renowned choreographers and directors (including Gillian Lynne, Mark Godden, David Nixon) on many productions including Lynne’s ‘A Simple Man’, Gable's ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’, Nixon’s ‘Nutcracker’, ‘Hamlet’, ‘Swan Lake’, ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’, ‘Peter Pan’ and also working closely on the revival of Claude-Michel Schönberg’s (Les Miserables, Miss Saigon) first ballet commission, ‘Wuthering Heights’.
Christopher’s musical tastes are very varied from early baroque, classical and romantic through to modern jazz, musical theatre and popular. This wide and varied musical interest along with his understanding of music and dance forms has led him being in high demand as an arranger. His first work for ballet appeared as Sadler’s Wells (London) in 2009, a jazz ballet entitled “As Time Goes By” with choreography by David Nixon and sung by jazz singing sensation, Peter Grant.
Christopher also has a keen interest in music for dance education. He often works with establishments & companies, accompanying classes in both Ballet and Contemporary disciplines.
Current projects include Christopher being commissioned by the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) to compose and record all the music for their new ballet syllabus.
Christopher started piano lessons at the age of 4. Aged 8 to 11, he attended the Royal Northern College of Music Junior School, under the tuition of Valerie Eastham. Later Christopher trained at the world famous Chetham’s School of Music, studying classical piano with Peter Lawson and jazz piano with Les Chisnall.
Since leaving education, Christopher has worked in the dance field, gaining a wealth of experience playing at some of the most respected dance establishments in the UK such as Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Elmhurst School for Dance, Liverpool Institute for Performing Artsand Central School of Ballet, to name but a few. Whilst working at Northern Ballet (UK), Christopher had the privilege to work with many world renowned choreographers and directors (including Gillian Lynne, Mark Godden, David Nixon) on many productions including Lynne’s ‘A Simple Man’, Gable's ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’, Nixon’s ‘Nutcracker’, ‘Hamlet’, ‘Swan Lake’, ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’, ‘Peter Pan’ and also working closely on the revival of Claude-Michel Schönberg’s (Les Miserables, Miss Saigon) first ballet commission, ‘Wuthering Heights’.
Christopher’s musical tastes are very varied from early baroque, classical and romantic through to modern jazz, musical theatre and popular. This wide and varied musical interest along with his understanding of music and dance forms has led him being in high demand as an arranger. His first work for ballet appeared as Sadler’s Wells (London) in 2009, a jazz ballet entitled “As Time Goes By” with choreography by David Nixon and sung by jazz singing sensation, Peter Grant.
Christopher also has a keen interest in music for dance education. He often works with establishments & companies, accompanying classes in both Ballet and Contemporary disciplines.
Current projects include Christopher being commissioned by the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) to compose and record all the music for their new ballet syllabus.
Grant Horsley, DIP.R.C.M.PERF. CERT ED (FENTO) M.C.I.E.A.
Grant was trained at the Royal College of Music London graduating in 1982. He studied piano performance with Angus Morrison OBE, piano accompaniment with Ruth Gerald, flute with Edward Walker, conducting with Sir Norman Del Mar and composition with Alan Ridout and Stephen Dodgson.
Whilst a student at the RCM he occasionally rehearsed with the Royal Ballet School and later with The London Festival Ballet including workshops led by Christopher Gable at summer schools.
He had his own show produced, performed and published together with lyricist Adrian Wright early in his career called “The Bluebird” later renamed “Prince Charming” and then went on to work as pianist for the Cameron Macintosh group.
He has an active career playing all types of music from classical to contemporary. He has worked as a session musician around the country playing all styles of music, as well as working as an arranger and guest conductor.
He spent a number of years as head of music in the performing arts department at Great Yarmouth College in Norfolk, where he specialised in preparing young people for stage performance, whether classical, rock or musical theatre. He was also a team leader for Edexcel for A level Music Technology for four years marking composition papers as well as monitoring a team of examiners.
Further afield, his career has involved him performing piano concertos, playing in jazz trios and quartets, playing in rock/function bands and working in various theaters in the role of musical director.
He has played extensively for dance schools playing for both Classical Ballet and Tap, and has been asked by teachers to write short compositions to be used in festivals and competitions.
He works from home as a performer, teacher, music composition examiner and verifier for educational music programmes, as well as composing ballet music. He still enjoys playing for classical ballet classes and is a registered pianist for both ISTD and RAD.
The majority of Grant’s CD’s are recorded live on a Yamaha C3 grand piano with no effects added to create the feeling of the pianist in the room with the dancer. He wants to create power and passion entwined with grace and charm to inspire and lift the dancer.
Whilst a student at the RCM he occasionally rehearsed with the Royal Ballet School and later with The London Festival Ballet including workshops led by Christopher Gable at summer schools.
He had his own show produced, performed and published together with lyricist Adrian Wright early in his career called “The Bluebird” later renamed “Prince Charming” and then went on to work as pianist for the Cameron Macintosh group.
He has an active career playing all types of music from classical to contemporary. He has worked as a session musician around the country playing all styles of music, as well as working as an arranger and guest conductor.
He spent a number of years as head of music in the performing arts department at Great Yarmouth College in Norfolk, where he specialised in preparing young people for stage performance, whether classical, rock or musical theatre. He was also a team leader for Edexcel for A level Music Technology for four years marking composition papers as well as monitoring a team of examiners.
Further afield, his career has involved him performing piano concertos, playing in jazz trios and quartets, playing in rock/function bands and working in various theaters in the role of musical director.
He has played extensively for dance schools playing for both Classical Ballet and Tap, and has been asked by teachers to write short compositions to be used in festivals and competitions.
He works from home as a performer, teacher, music composition examiner and verifier for educational music programmes, as well as composing ballet music. He still enjoys playing for classical ballet classes and is a registered pianist for both ISTD and RAD.
The majority of Grant’s CD’s are recorded live on a Yamaha C3 grand piano with no effects added to create the feeling of the pianist in the room with the dancer. He wants to create power and passion entwined with grace and charm to inspire and lift the dancer.
Karen MacIver
Karen has spent the major part of her professional career encouraging excellence in music for dance. She has worked for most of the UK Ballet companies whether as a staff member, freelance musician or contract player. Her work with Scottish Ballet has spanned 20 years and in the past 5 years has been coaching young musicians in a unique postgraduate Master of Music programme in association with the Scottish Ballet company and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Karen worked as a contract musician with Birmingham Royal Ballet and a freelance player with The Royal Ballet. She has worked as freelance Class musician for visiting dance companies at the Edinburgh Festival where, over the years, she played for American Ballet Theatre, Mark Morris Group and Rambert Dance Company. Internationally she has worked with The Hong Kong Ballet and Staatstheater Nurnberg .
Karen MacIver
Karen has spent the major part of her professional career encouraging excellence in music for dance. She has worked for most of the UK Ballet companies whether as a staff member, freelance musician or contract player. Her work with Scottish Ballet has spanned 20 years and in the past 5 years has been coaching young musicians in a unique postgraduate Master of Music programme in association with the Scottish Ballet company and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Karen worked as a contract musician with Birmingham Royal Ballet and a freelance player with The Royal Ballet. She has worked as freelance Class musician for visiting dance companies at the Edinburgh Festival where, over the years, she played for American Ballet Theatre, Mark Morris Group and Rambert Dance Company. Internationally she has worked with The Hong Kong Ballet and Staatstheater Nurnberg .
Nolwenn Collet
I am a French pianist specialised in dance accompaniment.
With passion, and in collaboration with dancers and ballet teachers, I create original ballet class music for your ballet classes and recitals from baby ballet to advanced ballet class.
Composing music for ballet class came as an evidence for me. More than a "skill" or a "job", this is a real passion for which I have a lot of inspiration and ideas.
My albums of music for ballet class are of very high quality and are recorded on a Steinway & Sons grand piano in a recording studio, by a sound engineer in order to offer the best possible sound for your classes, recitals or shows.
All my albums of music for ballet class are available to download in MP3 format as files on your computer or you can also order them in a traditional CD format.
Each album tells a story, a love story between music and dance!
With great research and attention to detail, I create different musical atmospheres whether my albums are for baby ballet, beginner's ballet class or advanced ballet class.
My aim is to stimulate the dancer's musicality, imagination and artistry and offer dance teachers a source of inspiration to make their ballet class like no other..
...This becomes your story!
So, from Baby Ballet to professional ballet class, you will find plenty of inspirational music!
I am a French pianist specialised in dance accompaniment.
With passion, and in collaboration with dancers and ballet teachers, I create original ballet class music for your ballet classes and recitals from baby ballet to advanced ballet class.
Composing music for ballet class came as an evidence for me. More than a "skill" or a "job", this is a real passion for which I have a lot of inspiration and ideas.
My albums of music for ballet class are of very high quality and are recorded on a Steinway & Sons grand piano in a recording studio, by a sound engineer in order to offer the best possible sound for your classes, recitals or shows.
All my albums of music for ballet class are available to download in MP3 format as files on your computer or you can also order them in a traditional CD format.
Each album tells a story, a love story between music and dance!
With great research and attention to detail, I create different musical atmospheres whether my albums are for baby ballet, beginner's ballet class or advanced ballet class.
My aim is to stimulate the dancer's musicality, imagination and artistry and offer dance teachers a source of inspiration to make their ballet class like no other..
...This becomes your story!
So, from Baby Ballet to professional ballet class, you will find plenty of inspirational music!
Robert Long, ballet pianist - composer
Robert has worked as a ballet pianist-accompanist for over 22 years. He has played for Royal Academy of Dance Exam Syllabus classes as well as "open" classes, where the instructor sets the exercises and there is no set music. It is the latter experience that led Robert to improvise and compose for ballet classes, as each exercise could pose musical demands that existing repertory would not accommodate. Three albums of original piano music for ballet class have resulted from this: Ballet Etudes, released in 2000, Etudes II (2005) and Etudes Volume 3 (2013).
It has been said that ballet is rooted in music, but over the years Robert found the inspiration for his music in the movements of the dancers: the lyrical gracefulness of the ports de bras or ronds de jambe en l'air as compared to the athletic precision of battements frappes.
Robert has also worked as a church musician for several years, as well as a variety show accompanist/synth arranger. He has appeared in an episode about ballet on a syndicated children's TV show ("This is Daniel Cook") and recently has been performing locally in the pop/rock scene. He currently resides in Port Credit, Ontario, Canada.
Robert has worked as a ballet pianist-accompanist for over 22 years. He has played for Royal Academy of Dance Exam Syllabus classes as well as "open" classes, where the instructor sets the exercises and there is no set music. It is the latter experience that led Robert to improvise and compose for ballet classes, as each exercise could pose musical demands that existing repertory would not accommodate. Three albums of original piano music for ballet class have resulted from this: Ballet Etudes, released in 2000, Etudes II (2005) and Etudes Volume 3 (2013).
It has been said that ballet is rooted in music, but over the years Robert found the inspiration for his music in the movements of the dancers: the lyrical gracefulness of the ports de bras or ronds de jambe en l'air as compared to the athletic precision of battements frappes.
Robert has also worked as a church musician for several years, as well as a variety show accompanist/synth arranger. He has appeared in an episode about ballet on a syndicated children's TV show ("This is Daniel Cook") and recently has been performing locally in the pop/rock scene. He currently resides in Port Credit, Ontario, Canada.