Tim tried to relax as he walked into the local performing arts center. He had practiced his routine, but it was hard not to be nervous. It was his first professional audition. Tim had been taking dance and movement classes since he was 10 years old. Seven years later, he knew he wanted a career in modern dance.
His older sister, Sara, also planned to become a professional dancer. She started studying ballet when she was 5 years old. Like Tim, she took summer classes at a nearby academy that was owned by a famous dance company. The courses they had taken were for students between the ages of 13 and 18. The academy also offered classes for older dancers who wanted to train with the company full-time. Sara decided that this was the right step for her when she graduated from high school.
Tim was happy for his sister, but he wanted to go to college. He knew a college degree wasn’t required to become a professional dancer. But he wanted to study art and literature along with music and dance.
Like Tim and Sara, people who want to dance professionally have a few options. Many of these people start dancing at very young ages. Louise Reichlin got her start as a child. “I basically began dancing as soon as I was walking,” she says. “I started lessons when I was 5, though they mainly involved improvisational and modern styles. I moved on to ballet in high school.”
Teenagers who are serious about dance careers often try to enroll in preprofessional programs offered by dance companies and academies. They take these classes during the summer or after school. Preprofessional training builds new skills in a particular style of dance. It is also an opportunity to meet choreographers and other business contacts.
Several colleges and universities allow students to earn their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in dance. Many dance students also take classes in history, literature, art, and music. These subjects can add to their understanding of certain productions.
Not all professional dancers have college degrees, though. Young dancers may instead decide to train at a school that is owned and operated by a dance company. These dancers are often interested in studying with certain choreographers. Many have already participated in a company’s preprofessional summer programs when they enroll as full-time students.
LEARNING & INNOVATION SKILLSDancers have an easier time finding work as they gain more professional experience and become known. Some take on other roles in their companies. For example, some become ballet mistresses and masters, and are responsible for instructing dancers and overseeing rehearsals. In addition, professional dancers may eventually decide to develop careers in choreography or artistic direction. Other dancers look for teaching jobs at schools and studios. Many even offer private lessons out of their homes.
Most dancers realize early on that auditions will make up a large part of their career. It is common for dancers to begin auditioning for professional work between the ages of 17 and 18. Yet it is also important to remember that even the most talented performers don’t get every job they want.
Reichlin encourages dancers not to give up if they don’t receive offers as soon as they start auditioning. “Try not to get too personal about rejection,” she advises. “It is one of the most difficult parts of being a dancer.”
Dancers don’t receive a job offer after every audition. This means they need to be flexible and creative in order to earn a steady salary. Dancing jobs are often short-term. They do not always pay well. A large number of dancers must take on extra jobs that are not related to dancing. Professional dancers earn anywhere from $7.28 to $27.26 an hour. The average hourly wage in 2008 was $12.22. How much dancers are paid depends on their experience and who they work for. Some dancers belong to unions that guarantee benefits and a minimum wage.
Are you starting to see how a dance career requires determination and effort? Working as a dancer is challenging, but it can also be very rewarding.
