Should I be a dancer?

Are you the one who dances in the rain or under the stars?

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Does music move you more than anything else? Do you feel like you can't stop dancing?

Find out if becoming a professional dancer is a good path for you!

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Professional dancers work hard. When they are not on stage dazzling audiences, you'll probably find them:

• in the studio practicing for the next show

• in a class, learning new techniques and skills

• in the gym, swimming pool, or on the running track, working on their strength and stamina

Hint: don't expect 9-5 workdays!

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Dance performances often happen on evenings, nights, and weekends, so dancers usually work very irregular hours.

Auditions, traveling performances, and workshops can also affect the daily schedule of a dancer.

Besides the variety of dance styles, there are also different kinds of jobs dancers can do. Let's explore some options!

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1. Performers: A dancer can be a permanent member of a troupe, or take on seasonal gigs, can be a solo performer, or a chorus member.

2. Choreographers: They work behind the scenes, creating and teaching dances to the performers. If you love dancing but don't enjoy being looked at, this one might be for you!

3. Trainers/teachers: Every dancer needs teachers to learn from! Dance teachers work with all age groups in many different settings.

You'll love it if you...

• are passionate about dancing

• can work hard every day

• can maintain a healthy and active lifestyle

• can tolerate an irregular schedule

• are OK with being told what to do

Look for another career if you...

• prefer a regular schedule

• don't like following others' instructions

• prefer working at a desk

• enjoy rest days in your training schedule

Let's see if you can tell which of your friends would be the best material for a professional dancer!

Gabe: Runs 5 miles every weekend, and watches sports every day. Likes having a beer with friends in the evening, and sleeping in the next day. Listens to music all the time.

Kim: Energetic and curious, calls you at odd times, sometimes even late at night. Always thinking about their next project, and loves to work together with others.

Mark: Night owl and workaholic. You wonder if he ever takes a day off. Enjoys being his own boss, and he only gets mad if someone tells him what to do.

You don't need a degree or a certificate to become a dancer. You just need a lot of practice. There are many different job requirements for different dance styles, but generally the more training you have, the better.

Some dance styles can be studied in college, like ballet and contemporary dance.

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To find a job as a dancer, you'll need to go to auditions, where dance companies or a dance production will select new members.

The average salary of a dancer in the US is $65,158.

The average salary of a dancer in Canada is $72,624.

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Does dancing sound like your jam? Get closer to your dancing dreams by taking these next steps!