Ballet’s Most In-Demand Rehearsal Pianist & Dance Music Icon- Michael Cherry Releases New Ballet Music LP

The acclaimed and highly prolific pianist Michael Cherry—class and rehearsal accompanist for many of the world’s famed dance institutions, has announced the release of his new full-length recording Looking Through the Rainbow: Music For Ballet Class.  

The new album is a compilation of popular works Mr. Cherry’s performs daily during classes and rehearsals for American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theater of Harlem, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ballet Hispanico and more.

Produced by Farin Kaulitz and Executive Produced by Gleidson Hoffman, Looking Through the Rainbow: Music for Ballet Class features music from classical composers through contemporary selections that guide each ballet sequence with Mr. Cherry’s heralded precision, eloquence and emotion. From Brahms and Schubert, to John Philip Sousa and Erik Satie, the album gives teachers the perfect musical roadmap to lead every class while giving students a strong practice platform.

“This album brings together many of the current music styles that I have the privilege to play for each class with ABT and others,” says Mr. Cherry. “I’m delighted that this new album has finally come together and I’m beyond thrilled to share it with many more ballet teachers and students.”

Looking Through the Rainbow: Music for Ballet Class is available on Mr. Cherry’s website- as well as leading streaming services including Spotify, Apple Music and Youtube.  This album is the first in a series of four full-length recordings of Mr. Cherry’s performances—the remaining three albums are schedule to be released throughout the remainder of 2023.

A native New Yorker and piano player with extraordinary talent from the age of 5. Michael Cherry graduated from The High School Of Music and Art, and went on to receive his Bachelors and Master Degrees in Music and Composition from The Manhattan School of Music in New York City, and was a recipient of a BMI Young Composers Award in 1979. Since his recital debut in 1983 at the International Tanzwerkstatt in Bonn, Germany, Mr. Cherry has remained active throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, both as a concert pianist soloist as well with orchestras. 

Performing with “profound involvement and sensitivity’ to enthusiastic audiences”, Mr. Cherry has had the honor to perform for the United Nations Peace-keeping Forces Nobel Peace Prize Celebration, the 2006 PBS Performances from White House, at The Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center and beyond. 

For over 45 years, Mr. Cherry has been a committed collaborator with the art of Dance and one of the most resourceful and sought-after pianists in the world of classical ballet. A prolific class and rehearsal piano accompanist with various world-renowned dance institutions including The American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theater of Harlem, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ballet Hispanico and Limon Dance Company. 

His discography includes six album releases as a principal pianist and class accompanist in collaboration with Ballet Master David Howard, Ballet Mistress Antonniette Pelosi and with his long-time piano teacher Willian Daghlian and JazzHead Records.