Dancers entertain people by expressing ideas and emotions, usually to music, using body movements.

Job Opportunities

Chances of getting a job as a dancer are poor due to limited paid roles and high competition for positions.

HOW TO ENTER THE JOB

Pay

Pay rates for dancers depend on your ability, as well as how often you work and what type of work you do.

There are guidelines of pay rates for dancers, but what you earn depends on your ability as well as how often you work, and what type of work you do. Work may be irregular, and many dancers rely on second jobs to make a living.

• Contemporary dancers are usually paid per project or performance.
• Classical dancers who are employed full time, can earn between $35,000 and $65,000 a year. Principal ballet dancers are paid more than those in the corps de ballet (ballet company dancers who perform as a group).
• com website – use this calculator to convert pay and salary information

What you will do

Dancers may do some or all of the following:

• attend dance classes to rehearse movements and learn techniques
• exercise daily by doing dance and Pilates classes, for example
• research and identify what areas of their body are prone to injury, and work to prevent this
• combine movement with musical accompaniment
• audition for dance companies and dance roles
• study and practise roles
• complete tasks set by choreographers
• perform in front of an audience or camera.

Skills and knowledge

Dancers need to have:

• understanding of different dance and drama techniques, and the ability to use them in performance
• understanding of music and rhythm
• skill in interpreting ideas into dance
• performance skills
• the ability to memorise dance sequences
• knowledge of anatomy and how the body works.

Working conditions

Dancers:

• usually work irregular hours and mostly work part time. If they are full-time, dancers generally rehearse from 9am to 5pm, although when they are touring and performing, they may work longer hours.
• work in rehearsal rooms, studios and theatres, and may also perform outside
• may travel around the country to perform and may tour internationally.

ABOUT THE JOB

Entry requirements

There are no specific educational requirements to become a dancer. However, contemporary and classical dancers usually need to have a tertiary qualification in contemporary dance or classical ballet.

To secure a contract with a dance company, it is usual to go through an audition process.  An audition application, which may vary depending on the individual requirements of different companies, usually involves preparing a resume, headshot, two to three dance photos and video footage.

Personal requirements

Dancers need to be:

• creative
• motivated and disciplined
• dedicated to maintaining their health and fitness
• able to pay attention to detail, as they may be directed to make very small movements
• punctual and reliable when attending classes, rehearsals and performances
• good communicators.

You’re always working with other people because that’s what dance is all about, so communication skills and being able to get along with others is really important.

Useful experience

Useful experience for dancers includes:

• athletics
• acting or any other kind of public performance.

Classical dancers need to have studied classical ballet from an early age, to get used to the physical demands of the discipline.

Physical requirements

Dancers need to have:

• excellent fitness and health
• strong feet, ankles, legs and back
• good eyesight and hearing
• good co-ordination
• a flexible body.

Find out more about training

Dance Aotearoa New Zealand (DANZ)

(04) 801 9885 – [email protected] – www.danz.org.nz/

Royal NZ Ballet

(04) 381 9000 – www.nzballet.org.nz

Tertiary Dance Educators’ Network

(04) 476 8699

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