Dance Jobs

Types of Dance Jobs

Dance jobs can be a fun way to spend your 20s while you audition for chorus spots, hoping for a lead dance position. Additionally, a dance job can have the added reward of creating through choreography, teaching others or making someone's vacation a wonderful memory. Either way, dancing is certainly a career for someone who loves music and movement.

Professional Dancer

Dance jobs are extremely competitive, with only the most talented dancers finding regular work. Many dancers begin their formal dance training at a very early age, some as young as five years old. They may have their first professional audition in their mid teens. Dancers usually stop performing by their late 30s, but some remain in the field as choreographers or teachers.

Whether the job is as a ballet dancer, Broadway show dancer, or a cruise or theme park dancer, the hours are long and the pay is low. Employment is often short-term and irregular with jobs that may last a day or a week. It is extremely rare for dancers to have guaranteed employment that exceeds three to six months.

Some dancers earn just $10 an hour, but $40,000 to $60,000 for accomplished performers is not uncommon. A college education is not essential for a dancer, but it would be important to qualify to teach dance in schools. Many college and universities offer degrees in dance techniques, composition, history and analysis.

Choreographer

Many professional dancers turn to choreography as their next career step. Choreography jobs are scarce, so the field is very competitive. As with other professional dance jobs, the hours are long and the employment can be short term. Local theater companies usually have a choreographer on staff. Some theme parks and cruise ships hire choreographers if the dance troop does not come with its own established choreographer. Salaries could range from $26,700 to $40,000, increasing significantly for well-known choreographers in large theater companies.

Gentleman Dance Host

Luxury cruise lines often invite two to six men on every cruise to dance, interact and share in the activities aboard the ship. They ask the men to attend ship activities, social functions and shore excursions, to act as goodwill ambassadors for the cruise line and to dance with unescorted women on the dance floor.

The cruise lines look for single, divorced or widowed men who are mature, in good health, with positive attitudes, flexible schedules and excellent dance and social skills. Many of the hosts are semi-retired or retired professionals with backgrounds in law, business, travel, finance, medicine, military and education.

Dance hosts must be able to dance all of the ballroom and Latin dances including the waltz, rumba, foxtrot, swing and cha-cha. This is not a paid position, but dance hosts receive free cruises, room and board.

Getting Started

Starting a profession dance career begins with many hours of dance lessons at a very early age. As with all sports-related activities, practice and dedication are key to honing your skills. A successful professional audition could open the door to a chance to try out for a dance or theater company or continue as a teacher.