|
Dancers and Choreographers
Overview » Industry Pathways » Performing Arts 
Dancers and choreographers love to perform in front of audiences and have an ability to move their bodies in some incredibly beautiful and artistic ways. As children and even as adults, these workers are the people you might see skipping every now and then as they walk outside or they may start to tap dance when they are alone in an elevator! These workers have been around since ancient times and express ideas, stories, and rhythm with their bodies. They use a variety of dance forms that allow free movement and self-expression, including classical ballet, modern dance, and culturally specific dance styles. Many dancers combine performance work with teaching or choreography.
Dancers perform in a variety of settings, such as musical productions, and may present folk, ethnic, tap, jazz, and other popular kinds of dance. They also perform in opera, musical theater, television, movies, music videos, and commercials, in which they also may sing and act. Dancers most often perform as part of a group, although a few top artists perform solo.
Many dancers work with choreographers, who create original dances and develop new interpretations of existing dances. Because few dance routines are written down, choreographers instruct performers at rehearsals to achieve the desired effect. In addition, choreographers often are involved in auditioning performers.
Professional dancers and choreographers held about 40,000 jobs in 2006. Many others were between engagements, so that the total number of people available for work as dancers over the course of the year was greater. Dancers and choreographers worked in a variety of industries, such as private educational services (dance studios and schools, as well as colleges and universities), food services and drinking establishments, performing arts companies (dance, theater, and opera companies), and amusement and recreation venues (casinos and theme parks). Almost one-fifth of dancers and choreographers are self-employed.
New York City is home to many major dance companies, however, full-time professional dance companies operate in most major cities.
Dancers and choreographers face intense competition for jobs. Only the most talented find regular employment. This is a very demanding profession and only the very best will succeed.
Employment of dancers and choreographers is expected to grow about average for all occupations through 2016. The public’s continued interest in dance will support larger dance companies, however, funding from public and private organizations is not expected to keep pace with rising production costs. For many small and midsize organizations, the result will be fewer performances and more limited employment opportunities. Although job openings will increase each year because dancers and choreographers retire or leave the occupation for other reasons, the number of applicants will continue to be greater than the number of job openings.
Dancers never stop learning and practicing their art form. Training varies with the type of dance and is a continuous part of all dancers’ careers. Many dancers and dance instructors believe that dancers should start with a good foundation in classical dance before selecting a particular dance style. Ballet training for women usually begins at five to eight years of age with a private teacher or through an independent ballet school.
Serious training traditionally begins between the ages of 10 and 12. Men often begin their ballet training between the ages of 10 and 15. Students who demonstrate potential in their early teens receive more intensive and advanced professional training. At about this time, students should begin to focus their training on a particular style and decide whether to pursue additional training through a dance company’s school or a college dance program.
Because of the strenuous and time-consuming training required, some dancers view formal education as secondary. However, a broad, general education including music, literature, history, and the visual arts is helpful in the interpretation of dramatic episodes, ideas, and feelings.
Many colleges and universities award a bachelor’s or master’s degree in dance, typically through departments of music, theater, or fine arts. The National Association of Schools of Dance accredits 57 programs in dance.
A college education is not essential to obtaining employment as a professional dancer, however, many dancers obtain degrees in unrelated fields to prepare themselves for careers after dance. The completion of a college program in dance and education is essential in order to qualify to teach dance in college, high school, or elementary school. Colleges and conservatories sometimes require graduate degrees, but may accept performance experience.
Choreographers typically are older dancers with years of experience in the theater. Through their performance as dancers, they develop reputations that often lead to opportunities to choreograph productions.
Typical annual earnings of salaried dancers and salaried choreographers were $35,580 in 2007.
Dancers who were on tour received an additional allowance for room and board, as well as extra compensation for overtime. Earnings from dancing are usually low, because employment not always year-round. Dancers often earn additional income by working as guest artists with other dance companies, teaching dance, or taking jobs unrelated to the field.
If you are interested in this occupation or are wondering about related occupations, use the links below to continue your exploration. Always remember, the more effort you put into exploring possible careers, the easier it will be for you to discover the best career choices for you!
For career information and links to employment resources contact:
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Occupational Information Network, O*NET Online: http://online.onetcenter.org/
For general information about dance and a list of accredited college-level programs, contact:
National Association of Schools of Dance: http://nasd.arts-accredit.org
For information about dance and dance companies, contact:
Dance/USA: http://www.danceusa.org
For information about planning and paying for college, visit Junior Achievement’s Financial Aid Center .
|