“How do you get a job in the dance industry?” is a question from Quora.com. According to their website, “Quora is a place to gain and share knowledge. It’s a platform to ask questions and connect with people who contribute unique insights and quality answers.” As you might expect, I’ve chosen to explain and recommend ballroom dance jobs.
Why ballroom dance?
Ballroom dancing has lots of benefits like showing off your creative side as you express the music, improved posture, and a healthy sense of accomplishment. In addition, making new friends by joining the ballroom dance community is a huge plus. Check out this Dance Safari post, “Friendship and Ballroom Dancing Go Hand-in-Hand.”
What exactly is ballroom dance?
Simply put, ballroom dance is two people dancing together as one. With this in mind, take a look at some of the different styles.
Ballroom and Social Dance Styles
- Ballroom dance styles are the American Smooth and Rhythm, as well as, International Ballroom and Latin.
- Social dancing includes Club and Latin Styles like Lindy Hop, Hustle, Salsa, Bachata, Argentine Tango, and more.
- Also included in social dancing is the Country Western Style. Specifically, Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, Slow Night Club, Two Step, West Coast Swing, and Waltz.
What kind of opportunities will I find in the dance industry?
That’s a good question, but first, there’s something I need to mention before we get to the different ballroom dance jobs. It’s important to realize that ballroom dance training is not optional. That is to say, you have to learn to dance and teach to be successful in this industry. Most people spend a lifetime studying to continue to grow as dancers and teachers.
How can I learn to dance?
Personally, I started as a student in my early 20s. Before that, I knew nothing about ballroom dancing. But, I liked it…a lot. Eventually, after taking lessons for a few months, I looked in the paper for dance jobs and saw an ad for free teacher training at the studio I was taking lessons at. Without delay, I asked the studio owner to consider me. He agreed and that’s how my journey started.
Here’s an example of a studio ad for ballroom dance teachers and trainees. Studios are looking for new people with or without experience. That’s because they’re going to train the future instructor to dance and teach dance. This is a simple Google search for ‘ballroom dance jobs Chicago’.
“We are growing! Fred Astaire Dance Studios® is excited to be adding to our team of professional dance instructors. We are currently hiring for Dance Instructor. Whether you have years of dance and/or dance instructor experience or none at all, you could have a successful future with us! If you love interacting with people, having fun, helping others, staying VERY active, and controlling what you earn, you will love a career with Fred Astaire!“
Here are 3 different ways you can learn to become a professional and easily be hired for ballroom dance jobs.
- Finding a studio that’ll train the right person for free is not hard. (See above.) But, there are a few things you’ll need to agree to. For one, you must work at the studio that trained you. There could be a set period of time that you’ll be required to work before considering another studio. If you leave before that time, it’s possible you’ll be charged for the training you received.
- You could enroll in a personalized teacher training program at the studio. This would include an intensive lesson plan that is prepared based on your individual abilities and needs. When you finish your program, you’d have a job at the studio and could begin developing students of your own.
- Finally, you might choose to enroll in the Ballroom Dance Teachers College. The Sol Ballroom in Las Cruces, New Mexico has a program to train and certify instructors at their facility. Ballroom Dance Teachers College’s professional curriculum is available at other studios across the United States. Visit their website for more information about this program.
Ballroom Dance Jobs
- All ballroom dance studios need instructors, dance directors, supervisors, and managers. Some dance professionals go on to become studio owners and regional franchisees.
- Professional competitors may choose to become traveling coaches, choreographers, competition organizers, or judges.
- At ballroom dance competitions, behind-the-scenes services are provided by costume designers, makeup and hair artists, emcees, and musical directors who play the music for competitions.
As you have learned, an exciting career with lots of opportunities is there for you if you choose a career in ballroom dancing.
