Marygrove College

Panek/Jonathon Cash

IS 326B-02 Travel Seminar (New York)

Susan

When people think about careers in dance, they may think only about being
a performer, choreographer, or teacher. However, dance includes many
exciting professional possibilities. Today's dance community is made up of
diverse professionals working as artists, writers and academics, teachers,
technologists, and body care professionals.
List of dance and dance-related occupations:

Back-up dancer
Ballroom dancer
Modern dancer
Exotic dancer
Promotional model (trade fairs or auto shows)
Rptiteur (rehearsal director)
Showgirl
Dance journalist
Dance historian
Dance critic
Dance company manager
Artistic director
Dancer in a major arts organizations, such as a ballet company, opera
house or musical theater company
Choreographer for arts organizations and companies
Notate to preserve the choreography and repertoire for dance
companies
Dancer in a large-scale theme park or Las Vegas production, or smaller
productions on a cruise line
Dancer for music videos and commercials
Choreographer, trainer or coach for music videos
Marketing and public relations for a dance company
Web design and social media management for a dance company
Grant writing, development and finance for arts organizations
Artist management and representation
Arts facilities operations
Special events planner for a ballet company or arts organization
Dance teacher and/or owner - dance studio or school
Dance or movement therapist/Movement analyst/Dance medicine
specialist
Sports trainer, fitness instructor (Yoga, Pilates, Zumba group exercise)
Arts Activist

Professionals in Somatics (relating to or affecting the body, especially

the body as considered to be separate from the mind)
Dance technologist
Dance photographer or videographer
Costume designer

Dancer: Career Development

Dancing is a very competitive profession, and unfortunately, only a small
percentage of dancers can actually find steady work in this area. To land a
job in this field, dancers will usually have to audition for a part/role along
with several other dancers. In order to supplement their income, many
dancers will often hold other jobs as well. There is no clearly defined career
path for a dancer. Most dancers will start their careers as dancers, or
combining another aspect of dance with performance, and then move out of
performance into a related area.
Many dancers progress into teaching, either in the private or the public
sector. The Council for Dance Education & Training (CDET) lists accredited
teaching qualifications on its website. Many qualified dance teachers run
their own courses and some large chains of health and fitness clubs offer
franchises to run classes. Contracts are sometimes available to teach in
leisure facilities, hotels or on cruise ships. Another option is to open a dance
school or buy an existing one.
Some dancers go on to be dance captains and may then move into
choreography (as an assistant choreographer and then choreographer) or
work as dance notators. Others become dance administrators or work for
dance development organizations.
Another way to use your dance knowledge and experience is to write articles
or review performances in the press. This is normally part-time, freelance
work and tends to be part of a portfolio career alongside teaching or
choreography. Short courses in dance writing are offered at festivals, or you
could consider an MA in a related subject such as journalism.
Some dancers go on to become dance movement psychotherapists, which
requires a relevant MA. This therapeutic process helps people address their
problems or develop personally through dance and movement.
It is also important to remember that there is a rich variety of dance styles in
the professional dance world including classical ballet, contemporary dance,
modern dance in musicals, African and Asian dance styles, street dance and
they all appear on television, in videos as well as live in theatres. Many

dance specialists have a variety of dance related jobs through their careers
or combine several at once in what is called a "portfolio" career.
What Is a Professional Dancers Salary Like?
Salaries of those talented and lucky enough to make dancing a profession
can often vary widely, depending on a number of factors. Obviously, more
talented dancers can make more money, as can more experienced dancers.
Also, dancing in large productions or shows will also bring in more money
than small productions.
Dancers typically get paid either per show or per week. Some dancers might
make as little as $50 to $100 per show, while others may have contracts that
guarantee them up to $1,500 per week.
Dancers in music videos and other filmed productions are generally paid by
the hour or by the day. While some dancers can make hundreds of dollars a
day, this money is not always consistent.
Teachers and choreographers typically earn a steadier wage, and they are
usually paid by the hour as well. Dance teachers can make anywhere from
$10 to $30 per hour. Choreographers, on the other hand, usually make
around $35 per hour. The median hourly wage for dancers was $14.16 in
May 2012. The median hourly wage for choreographers was $18.33 in May
2012.
What Type of Education Does a Person Need To Become a Dancer?
Technically, a formal education is not absolutely necessary for a dance
career, but studying under an experienced dancer or in a prominent dance
school is usually very helpful.
Most dancers start their careers at a very young age. Professional ballerinas,
for instance, usually start dance classes before they are even enrolled in
school. As they get better, they can move up to more advanced classes.
During their teenage years, dancers can also choose to attend special
performing arts or dance schools. Though they will get a general high school
education in these types of schools, young dancers will also take different
dance classes in order to fine tune their skills. After high school, some
dancers begin looking for work right away, but others may choose to attend
a traditional university or a performing arts university.

Choreographers and dance teachers should always have a solid dance

education. Ideally, they should be well-rounded and able to perform many
different types of dance. They should also be very experienced and talented
in at least one type of dance, however. Some dance teachers may also need
to get their teaching certificates, especially if they will be teaching small
children.
Job Outlook
Employment of dancers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2012 to 2022,
slower than the average for all occupations. Employment of choreographers
is projected to grow 24 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the
average for all occupations. Dance companies are not expected to add many
jobs over the decade. Generally, when one company disappears, a new one
replaces it, without any change in the total number of companies. There may
be better opportunities for dancers and choreographers in large cities, such
as New York and Chicago, with many dance companies and performances.
A growing interest in dance in pop culture may provide opportunities in fields
outside of dance companies, such as TV or movies, casinos, or theme parks.
Many dancers and choreographers, nonetheless, struggle to find
opportunities to express themselves creatively; newer dance companies rely
on word-of-mouth, grants, and public funding. However, public funding and
grants for dance performances can be highly competitive.
The growing interest in dance in pop culture is expected to lead more people
to enroll in dance schools, and growing enrollment should create more jobs
for choreographers.
Job Prospects
Dancers and choreographers face intense competition, and the number of
applicants is expected to vastly exceed the number of job openings. Dancers
who attend schools or conservatories associated with a dance company may
have a better chance of finding work at that company than others.
Employment projections data for Dancers and Choreographers, 2012-22
Change,
2012-22
Employme Projected
Occupational Title
nt, 2012
Employment, 2022
Perce Numer
nt
ic
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
25,800
29,200
13
3,400
Dancers and

Employment projections data for Dancers and Choreographers, 2012-22

Change,
2012-22
Employme Projected
Occupational Title
nt, 2012
Employment, 2022
Perce Numer
nt
ic
choreographers
Dancers
Choreographers

15,600

16,500

900

10,200

12,700

24

2,500

The average pay for a Dancer is $30,594 per year. Most people move on to
other jobs if they have more than 20 years' experience in this field. Pay for
this job does not change much by experience, with the most experienced
earning only a bit more than the least. Approximately 20 percent of dancers
are self-employed, meaning they receive no benefits. Unionized dancers
receive some paid sick leave and vacations, as well as health insurance
benefits. Ironically, the dancer is listed in Business Insider as one of the 14
most stressful jobs in America.
The following states have the lowest average wages for a career in dance
Nebraska $7
Alabama
$8
Kansas
$9
Guam
$1
0
Puerto Rico $1
0
Indiana
$1
1 Dancers have the highest average income in the following
North
$1 states
Carolina
2 Washingto $2
n
7
Oregon
$2
7
New York $2
4
Nevada
$2
2
Utah
$1
9
Original:
New
$1 1/19/2015
Jersey
8
Virginia
$1
7