Becoming a Professional If you love to dance then you’ll leap in your leotard over the many kinds of jobs that await you Get Started 1 Get to know yourself as a dancer your strengths interests and ambitions 2 Keep a journal to track your progress accomplishments and challenges 4
There are dream jobs such as joining a professional ballet company or dancing on stage with the trending boy band There are lesser-known jobs too such as dance therapy PRO ADVICE No dancer ever became successful riding on their natural-born talents only Dancers are artists and athletes The world of dance today is akin to an extreme sport Natural ability and talent will only get us so far Dancers must work hard and persevere Dancers give years of their lives plus their sweat tears and sometimes blood to have the honor and pleasure of performing on stage Melanie Doskocil director of the School of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet with more than 20 years of professional dance and teaching experience 5
Professional dancers perform in ballets operas musical theater and more Not surprisingly there are more dancers than there are dance jobs This makes the competition fierce The good news is there are many other jobs that can fuel a dancer’s passion Dancers often begin taking dance classes at an early age They study ballet tap jazz and other styles Later they may attend special dance schools such as a performing arts college or a conservatory Many hope to join a professional dance company Dancers who add singing and acting to their performance skills open doors to more opportunities in musical theater 6
Opportunities for people with disabilities to dance continue to grow showcasing the talents of these skilled dancers Fast Fact Students pursuing dance careers may study at a college or university that offers an advanced degree in dance They might also attend specialty dance schools or conservatories Select students may be invited to join a professional dance company These are traditional paths to dance success But some students continue their studies on their own They may join a dance studio view online videos or take part in classes offered through community programs 7
