Professional dance covers three main areas – classical ballet, contemporary dance, and modern stage dance (which includes jazz and tap, and often also involves acting and singing in musical theatre). Other types of dance are becoming more popular, such as African and Asian dance styles and street dance. Professional dancers usually specialise in one type of dance, and may perform live, on TV or in music videos.

Usually, dancers will interpret the work of a choreographer, although in some cases improvisation may be required. As well as performing, dancers spend a lot of time rehearsing and maintaining their skills and fitness.

Many dancers combine performance with other related work such as teaching or working on projects in schools and colleges.

Social dancing, such as ballroom, disco and line dancing, is usually done as a recreational activity, although there may be a few opportunities to teach others, perform on stage or in competitions.

Hours and Environment

Work as a dancer is strenuous and involves long hours, with rehearsals and practice during the day and performances in the evenings. Travel is often involved, touring in the UK and possibly abroad. It is often necessary to re-locate to find work.

Performances take place in a range of venues, including theatres, film and TV studios, nightclubs and cabarets, hotels, halls and on cruise ships, so facilities will vary. Rehearsals may be in purpose-built studios or more basic locations.

Skills and Interests

To be a dancer you should:

• be talented and creative
• have a good sense of rhythm and timing
• be enthusiastic, determined and prepared to work extremely hard
• be able to maintain focus and concentration
• have the ability to memorise complicated routines
• have flexibility, for example to deal with cast changes and different venues
• have a high level of fitness, stamina and resilience
• have the ability to work well with others.

Entry

To become a professional dancer you will usually need to train for several years in at least one form of dance. Training is often undertaken from the age of 16, although it can begin as early as 10 or 11 for those wishing to become ballet dancers.

Many professional dancers have attended classes with private teachers, or at independent dance schools, from primary school age, and some go to specialist vocational schools such as the Royal Ballet School from age 11 or younger, and combine dance training with general education. Some of these schools are residential.

Dance schools offer part-time lessons in one or more forms of dance, usually preparing students for the graded examinations of awarding bodies such as the Royal Academy of Dance and the British Ballet Organisation. These schools also offer full-time dance courses, which take students at age 16 or 17, and which are designed to prepare you for a career as a performer. Check entry requirements with individual schools, as these may vary.

Entry to vocational schools is by audition, and usually interview and medical. The most important requirements will be performance ability and potential. Different styles of dance have different requirements as to height and physique.

Information on registered teachers and accredited courses is available from the Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET).

Dance-related courses available at colleges of further education include A Level Dance or Performing Arts (Dance), or BTEC/SQA Foundation, National Certificate or Diploma in Performing Arts (Dance). These help you develop a range of dance skills and may be required for entry to some vocational schools. If you wish to develop a career as a performer you will usually also need to take extra classes with a private teacher or dance school. You could also join a local dance company to build your experience. See the Foundation for Community Dance website for an online directory of dance companies (details in the Further Information section below).

Training

Vocational dance schools may specialise in specific dance styles such as classical ballet, or offer training in theatre dance, covering jazz, contemporary, ballet, and other subjects useful in musical theatre, such as singing and acting. Training will include extensive practical work. Most of these schools are private. Funding may be available for approved courses through the Dance and Drama Award Scheme, which is funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

Most courses lead to a National Diploma in Professional Dance or a National Certificate in Professional Classical Ballet, awarded by Trinity College, London.

Some of the specialist institutions also offer full-time vocational degree courses, which have a practical emphasis to prepare students for careers as dance artists. Entry to degree courses is usually with a minimum of five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) and two A levels/Highers or equivalent, plus an audition.

A number of colleges of higher education and universities offer degree courses in dance, but you should check the content of these, as they are often aimed at those who wish to work in areas such as dance education, administration and development, rather than as performers.

On-going training is essential throughout a dancer’s career, in order to maintain and develop skills. Courses, workshops and summer schools are available at dance schools throughout the UK.

It can also be useful for dancers to gain other skills, which can be used to supplement income, or for career development when performance is no longer possible. This could include training which builds upon dance skills and knowledge, such as Pilates, massage, the Alexander Technique, yoga and other complementary therapies. After gaining experience as performers, some dancers undertake training in dance-related areas such as choreography, notation, dance teaching, community theatre work and arts administration.

The CDET offers advice on all aspects of dance education and training. Dancers’ Career Development (DCD) offers educational advice and funding for professional dancers whose performing careers are coming to an end. See Further Information section for contact details.

Professional dancers may be able to apply for funding for some aspects of professional development through national Arts Councils.

Opportunities

Competition for dance work is fierce, and periods of unemployment and under-employment are common.

Many dancers work initially in the corps de ballet in classical ballet, or as part of a small company or chorus. Only the best will succeed as a principal or soloist dancer. Hard work, talent and dedication are essential.

Employers include ballet companies and contemporary dance companies. Dancers may perform in musical shows in the theatre, in clubs and cabarets in the UK and abroad, or on cruise ships. Some dancers set up their own dance companies, possibly with funding from the Arts Councils.

Dancers often have a fairly short performing career. By their mid-thirties most dancers retrain or move into other dance-related careers such as:

• dance teaching, either in state schools, private classes or setting up their own dance school
• choreography 
• dance movement therapy 
• dance administration and management
• freelance journalism.

See the Dance Teacher, Choreographer, Dance Movement Therapist and Arts Administrator profiles for more information on some of these careers.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Members of Equity, the actors' and performers' union, should earn the negotiated minimum dance artists' rate of £304 a week. Non-Equity work may pay less.

Full-time employment by a dance is rare in the contemporary dance area. Most dancers are freelances who work mainly on short-term contracts and are usually paid a fee per week or per performance. Some dancers supplement their salaries by working in teaching, choreography, or community arts, or by taking unrelated jobs.

Further information

14 Great Peter Street
London
SW1P 3NQ
Tel: 0845 300 6200 Woolbororough House
39 Lonsdale Road
Barnes
London
SW13 9JP
Tel: 020 8748 1241 Old Brewer's Yard
17-19 Neal Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2H 9UY
Tel: 020 7240 5703 2nd Floor, Finsbury Town Hall
Rosebery Avenue
London
EC1R 4QT
Tel: 020 7713 0730 222-227 Africa House
64 Kingsway
London
WC2B 6BG
Tel: 020 7404 6141 Guild House
Upper St Martin’s Lane
London
WC2H 9EG
Tel: 020 7379 6000 Cathedral Chambers
2 Peacock Lane
Leicester
LE1 5PX
Tel: 0116 251 0516 PO Box 4099
Lichfield
WS13 6WX
Tel: 01543 308618 36 Battersea Square
London
SW11 3RA
Tel: 020 7326 8000 Tel: 0845 603 6000 Tel: 08080 300 900 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Tel: 0808 100 8094 for Scotland