What are the available jobs for dancers?

Question

I just finished talking to my parents about how much I love dancing and they told me if I did some research, then I could possibly transfer from my private high school to a public high school for half the day and for the other half I would go to a dancing school. So I was just wondering two things-

1. What are the available jobs for dancers?

2. How hard is it to get those types of dancing jobs?

Please please please help me out here, I am so confused and this could change my whole life with this one decision.

Answer 1

If you move to LA you could audition for dance spots in commercials, music videos, movies, or touring with musical artists.  In New York you could try out to dance on Broadway.  In most large cities they have ballet companies which you could audition for.  There are dance conventions which travel from city to city throwing huge workshops where you could apply to be an instructor and teach lessons to dancers from the area like Los Angeles Dance Force (LADF).  You could also apply for a job dancing on cruise ships or at shows at Disney Land or Disney World.  Of course, you could also teach dance classes at a dance studio, and sometimes various dance studios will hire you just to choreograph a dance for them if you are a good choreographer.  The difficulty of getting the more prestigious jobs is pretty high, especially as a female, since there are so many of us.  There is no way to tell you how hard it would be for you, since I have no idea how good you are.  Most girls who end up in movies or music videos started dancing when they were 4 or younger.  They have almost perfect technique and can execute difficult jumps and turns.  Also, you really have to stand out and be able to emote while doing these difficult maneuvers.  It is highly do-able, I have many friends who are professional dancers.  Some people just don't have the natural ability, but if you find a good school and practice, practice, practice, it is not a wild and ridiculous dream to dance professionally.  As you get older, you will probably end up teaching, because no one can stay in perfect physical condition forever.  If you have more specific questions, feel free to email me.  Good luck!

Answer 2

Hi there,

This is a difficult question to answer because it's a little vague.  You're in high school, so obviously you won't be able to have a full-time job teaching or dancing.  Plus, dancing companies aren't going to hire your at your age.

However, this is a great time to gain experience teaching.  Professional dancers, when in between companies, when they retire, or when they have spare time, teach a lot, and sometimes even create their own schools.  You're not a professional dancer (although if you're serious enough to go to high school and college for it, you've got a really good chance), but you can still teach.

Some schools hire their own students to substitute or even teach their own class for the younger ones in the school.  These are always the oldest and most advanced dancers, so you really have to shine in class and show your potential and skill for your school to want to have you teach for them.  You can also get your dance and performing arts resume together and apply for a teaching or assistant teaching job at a different school.  A great place to start looking is a local athletic center or gym, such as the YMCA.  They have dance programs and are almost always willing to accept new teachers and assistant teachers.  It's a great place to learn and experience being in charge in the classroom before you take on a serious class.

When you get older you can start teaching more.  Go to auditions and get in a professional school if you want to be a professional dancer.  Being a professional dancer is tough, because you don't get paid a lot, and it takes hard work and a lot of dedication.  You have to have a thick skin for rejection (and for pointe shoes, haha).  If you're determined, you can make it.  You have to keep trying and be determined, or else you will be stuck in the middle of nowhere with your heart broken and nowhere to go.  So if you're willing to commit to dance as your future, go for it.  If you're not, don't take that risk, because it's a rough world in New York City or Boston or wherever.

I hope that helped.  If you have any questions at all about the finer points of auditions, how to do certain steps, how to get more flexible, whatever, don't hesitate to contact me.  Keep dancing!♥