Dancers

Dancers express ideas, stories, and rhythm by moving their bodies with music.

Dancers audition for parts in productions such as ballets and plays. During auditions, they are taught dance routines that they perform for choreographers.

Dancers are in the Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications career cluster and the Performing Arts pathway.

Quick Facts

Source: Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and CareerOneStop.

Wages & Outlook

Wages

Dancers may be paid by the show, week, day, or hour. Dancers usually do not work full time. In addition, they may face long periods of unemployment. Because pay can be low and work intermittent, many dancers work a second job to support themselves.

Only hourly wages are reported in the wage table below. This is because there is wide variation in the number of hours dancers work. It is rare for dancers to have a guaranteed job for longer than three to six months.


Wages vary by the type of dance, the dancer's experience, and the area of the country. For a major production, such as a Broadway musical, the unions and the show's producers sign contracts that specify wage rates. Dancers are paid extra for overtime. Dancers who go on tour receive additional money to cover room and board.

Dancers who are covered by union contracts usually receive paid sick leave, paid vacations, and health insurance. Most other dancers must provide their own insurance.

View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:

• Dancers

 

Employment

In Minnesota, about 535 dancers work in this small occupation.

Many jobs for dancers are in the larger cities. New York City is the main center of dance in the United States. However, many other cities are major dance centers.

Major employers:

• Dance and theater companies
• Bars
• Dance studios, schools, and halls

Outlook

The dance field is highly competitive. There will always be more job seekers than job openings. Only the most talented dancers will find jobs. Regional ballet companies should offer good opportunities. However, the growth of dance companies may be slowed due to the public losing interest in traditional dance. Some of the fastest growth will be for dancers who perform in bars or in shows at amusement parks, or work in music videos. Other openings will occur for dance teachers, as dance for recreation and exercise becomes more popular.

Employment Outlook for Dancers

	Employment		Employment Change
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
U S	12,400	13,700	1,400	11.3%
Minnesota	686	701	15	2.2%
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
Central Minnesota	30	33	3	10%
Northeast Minnesota	20	22	2	10%
Northwest Minnesota	35	41	6	17.1%
Southeast Minnesota	23	24	1	4.3%
Southwest Minnesota	24	26	2	8.3%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	545	529	-16	-2.9%

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.

On the Job

Overview

Dancers express ideas, stories, and rhythm by moving their bodies with music.


There is something magical and moving about ballet. The dancers are both delicate and incredibly strong. With grace, they stand "on pointe" - on their toes - and "pirouette" elegantly around the stage. They stretch their legs higher than what seems possible, and their arms flutter just like a butterfly's. The best dancers can make a song come alive with a story, or simply make us feel.Dancers perform in many types of productions. They synchronize body movements with music. They spend a great deal of time rehearsing on their own. If they dance with partners, they practice together and coordinate their moves. Some plan and choreograph routines for themselves and other dancers.

Dancers audition for parts in productions. During auditions, they are taught dance routines that they perform for choreographers. If they are selected for parts, dancers attend rehearsals. Productions usually require weeks, even months, of rehearsing. During rehearsals, dancers work with choreographers to learn and perfect their dance steps.

There are several types of dancing. Ballet is a stylized, traditional form of dance. Modern dance allows more free movement and self-expression. Other types of dancing are jazz, ethnic, folk, and tap. These last types of dancing are mainly used in musicals. Many dancers sing or act as well as dance. Dancers frequently appear in music videos.

Most dancers work with a group of other dancers or performers. Some top artists dance solo. Many dancers combine performing with teaching.

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.

• Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain ability and fitness.
• Study and practice dance moves for a given role.
• Match body movements with music.
• Perform different kinds of dance for production, including classical, modern, and ballet.
• Work with choreographers to refine dance steps.
• Devise and choreograph dance for self and others.
• Rehearse solo or coordinate moves with partners or troupe members.
• Audition for parts in productions.
• May teach dance students.
• Stay abreast of trends.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.

• Perform activities that use the whole body.
• Perform for the public.
• Think creatively.
• Establish and maintain relationships.
• Explain the meaning of information to others.
• Get information needed to do the job.
• Update and use job-related knowledge.
• Coach others.
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates.
• Teach others.
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work.
• Identify objects, actions, and events.
• Develop and build teams.

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

Interpersonal Relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They often rehearse with dance partners and perform for audiences.
• Communicate mostly by talking in person.
• Usually work as a part of a group or troupe of dancers.

Physical Work Conditions

• Almost always work indoors, but may perform outdoors for special events.
• Work extremely near other dancers, coming into close physical contact.
• May be exposed to extremely bright stage lights.

Work Performance

• Must be very exact in their work and be sure all details are done so their performances are flawless.
• Repeat the same physical activities.
• Must learn choreography under tight deadlines.
• Work in a competitive atmosphere.
• Set their daily tasks and goals under the direction of others.

Hours/Travel

• May have periods without employment. Work depends on contracts obtained for individual productions.
• Generally work 30 hours a week, since six hours a day is the maximum time allowed for rehearsal and performance.
• May work nights and weekends, when many performances are given.
• May travel to perform.

Physical Demands

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

People in this career frequently:

• Repeat the same motions.
• Stand, walk, or run, depending on the needs of the dance.
• Keep or regain balance.
• Bend or twist the body.
• Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

It is important for people in this career to be able to:

• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Education & Training

Preparation

To work as a dancer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or GED;
• dance for many years; and
• be talented.

Education after high school

Dancers do not need to meet educational requirements beyond high school. A proven ability to dance is the most important requirement.

Some dancers attend professional dance schools. Training for dancers is also available at some colleges and universities. A college education is not required for a dancing career. However, it is required if you want to teach dance in colleges and conservatories. Because most dancers retire early, a college education may be useful for pursuing a second career.

In addition to dance courses, training in other performing arts may be useful. Thus, you should take courses in speech, music, and drama if you want to act in addition to dance.

Work experience

Dance, in any form, is necessary experience for this occupation.

On-the-job training

Dancers need many years of extensive training and practice to develop dancing skills. You normally spend eight hours a day in class and rehearsal. During this time you keep your body in shape, learn new choreography, and prepare for performances.

Women usually begin ballet training when they are between five and eight. Men often begin at age ten. Modern dancers do not need to begin their training at as young an age. Training and practice continue throughout the dancer's career. Professional dancers still take daily or weekly lessons. Dancers spend additional hours in practice and at rehearsals.

Related Programs (Current training programs available)

• Dance, General
• Ballet
• Dance, Other
• Musical Theatre.

Fields of Study (What to study to prepare for this career)

Click on any of the Fields of Study listed below to find out more about preparing for this career.

• Dance

Helpful High School Courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this occupation include:

• Chorus
• Dance
• Drama

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Skills

People in this career need to:

Communicate

• Listen to others, understand, and ask questions.
• Express ideas clearly when speaking.

Reason and Problem Solve

• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Develop rules or follow guidelines for arranging items.
• Think of new ideas or original and creative ways to solve problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.

Manage Oneself, People, Time and Things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with People

• Be aware of others' reactions and change behavior in relation to them.
• Use several methods to learn or teach others how to do something.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.

Perceive and Visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Knowledge

People in this career need knowledge in the following areas:

• Fine Arts: Knowledge of the methods and concepts needed to create or perform works of art. Areas of knowledge may include music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Interests

People in this career are people who tend to:

• Consider achievement important. They like to see the results of their work and to use their strongest abilities. They like to get a feeling of accomplishment from their work.
• Consider relationships important. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people. They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
• Consider good working conditions important. They like jobs offering steady employment and good pay. They want employment that fits their individual work style. They may prefer doing a variety of tasks, working alone, or being busy all the time.
• Consider recognition important. They like to work in jobs which have opportunities for them to advance, be recognized for their work, and direct and instruct others. They usually prefer jobs in which they are looked up to by others.
• Have artistic interests. They like work activities that deal with artistic forms, designs, and patterns. They prefer work which allows for self expression.
• Have realistic interests. They like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like to work with plants, animals, and physical materials such as wood, tools, and machinery. They often prefer to work outside.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Licensing / Certification

Certification Details

No certifications are found for this career.

Licensing Details

No State of Minnesota license requirements are found for this career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and CareerOneStop.

Jobs

Find Jobs

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Hiring Practices

Hiring is by audition. Physical characteristics, such as long legs, or height similar to other dancers, may be required for some parts.

Advancement Opportunities

Dancers advance by getting more parts. Those who consistently get roles may advance by performing as part of better-known groups. Some advance to giving solo performances. Others advance to being choreographers or dance teachers. Depending on the employer, dance teachers may need a college degree.

Job Title Examples

Ballet Company Member,  Ballet Dancer,  Ballet Soloist,  Belly Dancer,  Company Dancer,  Dance Artist,  Ballerina,  Performing Artist,  Soloist Dancer 

Similar Careers

Below are careers similar to Dancers you may be interested in reading about. If you are looking to broaden your job search, these careers require similar skills. Click on the names to link to their career profile.

Actors
Choreographers
Models
Professional Athletes

Related Industries

Below are industries related to Dancers you may be interested in reading about. Employers in these industries typically hire Dancers. Click on the names to link to their industry profile.

Amusement And Recreation Services
Eating And Drinking Places
Education
Motion Pictures And Sound Recording
Performing Arts And Sporting Events

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.