| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | interesting background. You should be the focus and |
| Dance careers can be difficult to jump-start, so why | | | | the subject of interest, nothing else. Good |
| not listen to some advice from professional dancers? | | | | photographs can really help you further you dance |
| This past weekend, we had some additions to our | | | | career by grabbing the attention of those who should |
| usual group of friends, professional dancers. After I | | | | be watching you. |
| got over my initial sense of awe, we began to talk | | | | 5. At this point, you should already have been to |
| about their dance careers. I’ve always been | | | | minor dance auditions and castings, just to get your |
| fascinated with how people rise to the top of their | | | | feet wet and some sort of experience, however, |
| profession. Professional athletes, movie stars and | | | | now you are ready for some serious work
and it |
| bands, they all have a unique story but there are | | | | is work. Don’t ever forget that this is your |
| usually some core similarities. This article outlines the | | | | job, your profession. This new level of dance might |
| basic things you should do to start your career in | | | | come as a shock or seem like foreign territory, but |
| dance to become a professional dancer. Now, | | | | you must believe that you are good enough to be |
| you’ll need a little bit of luck, good timing and | | | | here. You are good enough to be here. This is a |
| connections as well, but you could get all of that | | | | higher standard. It will be different. It will be difficult, |
| while getting a Big Mac at your local McDonalds. | | | | but that is what makes it so much greater when you |
| Natural talent is a good base, but it won’t | | | | succeed. You’ve come this far. This is what |
| take you to the top. You need to nurture that talent, | | | | you’ve been training for, and others have |
| develop it and present it to the right people. This | | | | found potential in you, enough to accept and train |
| article shows you the basics. Some are more obvious | | | | you. You belong here. The more of these auditions |
| than others. Most of you just need some | | | | and casting calls you attend, the more comfortable |
| reassurance that you’re taking the right steps | | | | you will become. |
| to reach your goal, while others have no idea where | | | | 6. Those networking and people skills you picked up |
| to start. I believe that not all people in the | | | | during your days at dance camp and college will now |
| know have the level of talent they need, and | | | | come into play. You’re in the deep end of the |
| not all people with talent are in the know. I | | | | pool now, playing with the big kids. Time to mingle |
| want to change that, so let’s start! | | | | and make new friends. You have to start talking to |
| 1. People do not become professionals in anything by | | | | those professional dancers you see walking the |
| reading a few articles or practicing a few hours a | | | | studio halls during your dance auditions. Talk to other |
| week. They become students of their profession. | | | | dancers who are auditioning. Talk to the judges, |
| Students go to school. This goes for professional | | | | casting directors, agents, anyone that will talk to you. |
| dancers as well. Now, there are a select few that | | | | Ask them questions, pick their brain, and learn from |
| push themselves on their own and have developed a | | | | their stories. Even if they don’t answer your |
| wonderful ability, but that is still not enough. Their | | | | questions, their behavior, demeanor, and way of |
| talent is rough and unrefined. Regardless of how | | | | conversing with you will teach you something. The |
| many years you’ve practiced in your | | | | best thing you can do is become friends with |
| basement, everyone needs some formal training. | | | | someone successful. |
| Nothing can replace a veteran dancer showing you | | | | 7. You should be fairly comfortable with auditioning |
| right from wrong, critiquing you and encouraging you. | | | | by now, and ready to start searching for a dance |
| Start by going to a dance studio. Obviously, the | | | | agent or a dance agency. You will most likely have to |
| sooner you do this the better. You’ll rack up | | | | perform a dance routine for them in order to be |
| experience and the younger you are the more | | | | accepted, however, once you’re in you will be |
| receptive you are to learning. A good rule of thumb is | | | | given opportunities that you otherwise |
| the bigger the dance studio the better the dance | | | | wouldn’t know existed. These dance agents |
| professionals. However, a good teacher has | | | | and dance agencies get the scoop on dance auditions |
| experience, but also a connection with their pupil. This | | | | and casting calls so try your best to get represented |
| relationship can be forged at smaller, local dance | | | | by one. Once you are in, your dance career will be |
| studios as well. Remember, this is just the beginning. | | | | given wings. However, this is no time to take it easy |
| There are many professionals that reminisce about a | | | | and coast on through. Now is the time to step it up. |
| grade school teacher that influenced them the most. | | | | 8. Back to what I mentioned before,
you |
| Of course, it was probably some Julliard professor | | | | never stop learning and practicing. Well, it’s |
| that trained them the most, but the person who | | | | time to traintraintrain. Practice makes perfect, |
| taught them passion and desire is usually someone | | | | I know you’ve heard that before. This intense |
| they met earlier in their dance career. | | | | training period isn’t about learning new styles |
| 2. Dance camps and other supplemental dance | | | | as it might have been about before. This dance |
| institutions are a great way to increase your | | | | training will focus on honing your existing skills and |
| exposure to various aspects of the dance industry. | | | | techniques down to a sharp, crisp point. You need to |
| You will network, learn techniques and be exposed to | | | | be awesome in what you do, not mediocre in a |
| different teachers and performances. Going outside | | | | broad range of areas. A professional dancer needs to |
| your comfort zone is a great way to build | | | | be at the top of their specific field, not hovering in |
| independence, character and a sense of responsibility | | | | the middle across the board. You’ll have plenty |
| as a dancer. | | | | of time later to expand your horizons, but for now |
| 3. When you graduate high school, you’ll be | | | | you need a job so you can gain valuable |
| looking to go on to college. This decision should be | | | | experience
and money. Also, stop and take a |
| well thought out. You’re going to trust them | | | | breath. Look around, you’re becoming a |
| with your education that will play a significant role in | | | | dancer, and your dance career is beginning to take |
| life after college. As an aspiring, professional dancer, | | | | shape. Enjoy it! |
| you will want to attend the most prestigious dance | | | | 9. When you think you’re ready, and |
| school you can find. Try to find an accredited dance | | | | don’t wait to long at this point, start |
| school, but at the very least any dance school is | | | | researching some choreographers you would like to |
| better than none. Make sure you start planning | | | | work with or train with as a pupil. Most dance |
| before it’s time to apply, like well before. You | | | | choreographers will offer dance classes at their own |
| should begin your research about dance schools while | | | | dance studios. You have to wait this long before you |
| you’re still in high school. Find out what | | | | attempt to train with a professional dance |
| requirements they are looking for in a dancer. Do | | | | choreographer, because they are just that, |
| whatever you can to better your chances at being | | | | professionals. Dance choreographers will only work |
| accepted. | | | | with the best dancers so you have to be at a certain |
| By the end of your formal training, you should, if you | | | | point of your dance career for them to take interest |
| haven’t already, be narrowing down your | | | | in you. There are many benefits to working with a |
| dance techniques to a few select, specialized styles. | | | | dance choreographer. You become familiar with the |
| You need to seek out the best dance teacher(s) you | | | | way this aspect of the dance industry works. They |
| can find in those styles and traintraintrain. Like | | | | will begin to recognize you and perhaps throw some |
| any profession, it’s all about education, and for | | | | work your way. You will also be updated and trained |
| a professional dancer, you never stop learning and | | | | in the most current dance techniques and trends. The |
| practicing. Once again, if you are serious and want to | | | | fewer things that surprise you during a dance audition |
| advance in your dance career, at this point you need | | | | the better. |
| an expert, a real professional dance teacher. | | | | 10. At the end of all this there is one important thing |
| 4. The next tip is something that I’ve written | | | | to remember, that usually separates those that |
| about before. You need good head and body shots, | | | | make it and those that do not. If this is truly what |
| and for that you need a good photographer. Refer | | | | you want, and you’ve dreamt about it all your |
| to my article, 4 Tips for Great Actor | | | | life, never give up trying. Every successful person in |
| Headshots, on Talent Trove for more information | | | | the world has one thing in common. They were |
| about what you need for a good portfolio. Yes, | | | | relentless in their pursuit of happiness. If you want to |
| it’s about actor headshots, but there are | | | | make the most out of your dance career, it will take |
| some valid and transferable tips for dancers as well. | | | | a lot of hard work so don’t get discouraged. |
| The important thing to remember for your body | | | | You’ll get rejected. Everyone does. Being a |
| shots as a dancer is that you should take pictures of | | | | dancer is not easy for anyone, but people do it. Why |
| yourself in various dancewears. Don’t wear | | | | not you? |
| flashy jewelry, use lighting or shadows to create | | | | These tips are not set in stone or by any means in |
| illusions, or distract the observer with a complex or | | | | exact order. |