Placement Overview

This VIP is a trained Dancer and Choreographer as well as being the owner of Urban Strides Dance School. They have performed in a wide variety of television and stage productions and danced alongside some of the biggest names in music.

Click here to read their profile in full 

Generic Job Description for a Dancer

Dancers use their body to tell a story or interpret music. They perform dance routines in front of audiences, usually to music.

There are many styles of dance including jazz, modern, ballet, contemporary, salsa and disco. Dancers usually work in teams, performing the work of Choreographers.

Performing is just a small part of what the job involves, much time is spent learning routines and practicing.

Skills:

• Physical fitness
• Good rhythm
• A love of music
• Talent
• Motivation
• Creativity
• Stamina
• The ability to work well in a team

Pay:

• Dancer are often paid weekly or per performance
• Entry around £17,000
• £18,000 - £22,000 with experience
• £30,000 or more top contracts 

Please not that salary figures are a guide only. Actual salaries may vary depending on the organisation and geographical location

Hours:

• Hours can be long and unsocial
• Evening and weekend work is often required for performances and rehearsals

Environment:

• Most work is indoors in venues and dance studios
• Travel is common to performance venues
• The work can physically tiring and injuries are relatively common

Qualifications:

• No set entry requirements
• It is common to start dancing from a young age
• Entrance to dance school is competative and subject to audition and interview
• Degree and Diploma courses are widely available in Performing Arts 

Training:

• Most dancers will have trained from a young age
• Training continues throughout a dancers career 

Opportunities:

• Competition for dancing work is fierce
• Some unemployment is common where dance is the only profession
• Opportunities exist in theatrical companies, stage shows and dance schools
• There are opportunities for Dancers abroad and on cruise ships

Links:

www.equity.org.uk - Equity

www.british-dance-council.org - The British Dance Council

www.rad.org.uk- The Royal Academy of Dance

www.danceuk.org - Dance UK