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Vocational schools
If you're interested in becoming a professional
dancer, it's helpful if you've some idea of the area(s) in which you
might eventually want to perform. Although it's advisable to get an
early, all-round dance education (as you may change your mind later on)
in dance, getting the right information at the right time can make a big
difference to the career you choose to follow.
Before beginning professional training it is
advisable to have studied different styles or techniques with different
teachers. Nowadays, all professional dance forms require versatility
from performers and the more aware you are of the different ways of
moving that the various forms demand, the more adaptable you will be.
If you're thinking seriously about a career as a
performer in dance and feel you have the talent, you'll need to attend a
professional vocational dance school. These offer courses specifically
designed to prepare you for a career as a performer. Training will
include many hours' practical work each day together with courses in
contextual studies. Teaching staff will be experts in their own
disciplines and guest teachers from the profession will also contribute
regularly.
Vocational dance schools train students from the
age of 16 and currently offer either a National Diploma in Professional
Dance or National Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre or a BA (Hons)
degree in the three main theatrical dance genres: classical ballet,
contemporary dance and/or musical theatre. While performers may work in a
variety of sectors, they will have almost certainly specialised in one
area during their training.
Colleges and universities
Many colleges and universities now offer Dance
Diploma and Degree courses, and this number is increasing. Dance Diploma
and Degree courses normally cover subjects such as dance technique,
choreography, notation, analysis and critical appreciation, dance and
film studies, history of dance, dance and new technology, and commercial
applications of dance, such as management. Many courses offer work
experience placements with dance companies and organisations; these
placements enable dance students to learn through a hands-on approach
and to make useful industry contacts for the future. Practical classes
in these courses, however, are usually considerably less frequent than
at a vocational training school. It is always worth checking with the
institution how many technique classes you can expect to undertake in
one week as this is something you should take into account, if you are
determined to be a performer.
Other dance forms
For those interested in more culturally diverse
dance styles a number of courses offer dance training in Urban, South
Asian and African Peoples' Dance - although established dance companies
tend to provide most training in these areas. There has also been an
increase in the number of training opportunities for dancers with
disabilities in recent years.
The working dancer
Dancers work in a range of venues such as
theatres, film and TV studios, nightclubs, hotels, halls, cruise ships
and holiday resorts, and frequently work away from home, sometimes
abroad. The dance scene is ever-changing and nowadays often merges with
acting or singing, film, media, visual arts etc., so it is important for
dancers to maintain their training throughout their careers and be
aware of new developments in the industry.
Working hours for anyone seriously pursuing a
career in the performance industries are long. It is important for
anyone wanting to dance professionally to understand that the majority
of time will be spent rehearsing rather than actually performing on
stage.
Minimum salaries for dancers are negotiated by
Equity and depend on the type, length and location of the job. Many
dancers work as freelancers on a contract basis and therefore rates of
pay vary so most professional dancers need to earn additional income
which might come from teaching or choreography.
There are definitely opportunities for those
dancers who have had high quality training and are proactive and
committed to working hard. However, the industry is extremely
competitive - most dancers go through periods of unemployment and a
performing career is relatively short, but dancers who have been
successful in their careers will tell you they have the best job in the
world! Always remember, when pursuing your dancing ambitions or any goal
in life, if someone else has achieved success doing what you want to
do, then it can be done!
For more detailed information about studying dance you should contact the lead body representing the professional dance training industry:
The Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET)
Old Brewer's Yard
17-19 Neal Street
London
WC2H 9UY
Tel: 0207 240 5703
E-mail: info@cdet.org.uk
Web: www.cdet.org.uk
