Our diverse music library features over 500 original pieces, carefully recorded and curated specifically for dance.
Explore the Music Library
Unlimited Annual Licensing Subscriptions for dancers, choreographers, dance companies, dance filmakers and educational programs of all sizes. Custom Limited, Student and Extended licensing are available for one-time licensing needs.
Easy Music LicensingWith over 15 years of experience teaching in higher education around the globe, we’ve taught dancers and musicians how to compose, accompany, perform, and teach music for dance. Dancers possess an embodied knowledge of music, and we’re dedicated to helping them harness and manipulate sound in whatever way they dream. Educational posts will continue to be added and are available for free to everyone.
Start Making Music for Dance
We offer bespoke collaborations, both remote and in person, with choreographers, dancers, filmmakers, educational programs, and dance companies worldwide. We’re always taking on new projects.
Let's Collaborate
Twenty years ago, Michael Wall (Founder/Musician) saw dance teachers the evening before a class, searching through hundreds of CDs to find the right track in the right meter, at the right tempo, with the right vibe, and hopefully without awkward lyrics. He wondered: What if there was a website where people could find a wide range of music in multiple meters, tempos, and instrumentation, all made specifically for dance educators and makers? As soon as .mp3s could be connected to PayPal, Michael began collaborating with coders and web designers, iterating through many versions of websites to create what you see here today.
Michael started accompanying ballet classes at Rutgers University in 1995 under the mentorship of the incredibly versatile Robert “Tigger” Benford. After learning to play for a wide range of technique classes and teachers, Michael expanded his knowledge by learning from leading musicians at the American Dance Festival and Bates Dance Festival, including innovators like Natalie Gilbert, Terrence Karn, Albert Mathias, Peter Jones, Khalid Saleem, John Hanks, Mike Vargas, Ken Ray Wileman, Vladimir Espinoza, Arthur Solari, Norman Beede, Raj Bhandari, Adam Crawley, Atiba Rorie, Jefferson Dalby, and many more.
As a faculty member at several Research 1 Level Universities and a guest in many small dance programs, Michael developed a unique curriculum for teaching music to dancers. Drawing from the wisdom of many musicians in dance before him and his own experience, Michael created a way of teaching music that empowers dancers to make their own music using software, a method now widely adopted by musicians in dance. He has also helped several dancers develop active music careers alongside their dance careers.
The current goals of Sound for Movement are to continue expanding our diverse music library, refine music licensing possibilities for our community, collaborate with emerging choreographers internationally, teach anyone interested in making music for dance, and stay on the cutting edge of web and music distribution technology to help usher in the next generation of artists manipulating sound for movement.
— Michael Wall 9/1/24