While we don’t like to dwell on it, eventually our students at Prestige Dance Studio are going to graduate from high school. They will have to navigate college, careers, and figuring out the role dance will play in their lives. We want our dancers to be aware of all the career options available for dancers. Even if they decide not to pursue dance professionally, there are MANY ways to incorporate dance into your life after you leave Prestige!
A few ideas to get your wheels turning:
- Professional Dancer– Perhaps the most obvious option, also the most difficult! Requires setting specific goals and lots of tenacity! In the path to landing a professional job, dancers will be required to continue to take dance classes, audition, and find ways to support themselves financially throughout the process.
- Dance Teacher– Spreading dance throughout the community and sharing it with students is an extremely rewarding path. Consider seeking out a dance teacher mentor or taking early education classes. Job opportunities can be found at private studios, public schools, and colleges.
- Dance Studio Owner– Combine dance, business, and education! Be prepared to wear lots of hats! Shape exactly the type of environment that you desire for your students.
- Choreographer– Work with dancers, dance studios, companies, or teams to create dance pieces. It may require a little time to build a portfolio. Most choreographers have a background as dance performers and teachers.
- Company Director– Start your own dance company! Similar to running a dance studio, this career path will require a mix of business skills and dance knowledge. You will also need to raise money for your company and be confident managing a group of people. There are dance companies of ALL sizes and with a wide range of annual budgets.
Less obvious options:
- Arts Administrator– Dance organizations and companies need a team of professionals to keep everything running smoothly.
- Physical Therapist- Work specifically with dancers or athletes. Many major dance companies have a physical therapist on staff!
- Marketing Expert– Marketing is a broad term that includes graphic design, public relations, branding, web design, and anything else that helps to communicate a message. All dance companies, organizations, and studios need marketing!
- Photographer or Videographer– It may be possible to build a career solely focusing on working with dancers or dance companies. Capture moments on stage or in the studio!
- Yoga or Pilates Instructor– Dancers need to cross train! Being a certified teacher is also a great career path for dancers pursuing a professional dance career. The hours can be complimentary.
- Lighting Designer– Lighting is so crucial to the final product. Help design lighting that showcases dancers and highlights choreography.
- Massage Therapist– Again, many professional dance companies have a massage therapist on staff.
- Costume Designer– Help dancers to look their best on stage and work with choreographers to create their vision.
Anything sound enticing? We recently came across this article from Dance Magazine. It’s worth a read! More than offering career ideas, it provides confirmation that the skills our students are learning in the dance studio will be extremely valuable as they enter the workforce both in and outside of the dance world. More and more, employers are requiring creativity, resiliency, and strong communication skills. A dance class is the perfect setting to gain experience in these areas. Dancers are forced to find creative solutions, deal with setbacks, and work with their peers daily!
We encourage all of our high school students (and their families!) to start thinking about what happens after their years at Prestige Dance Studio. We hope that dance and their years at Prestige help to set them up for success in whatever path they take!