High School

A good high school education is highly recommended for those interested in becoming dancers. You should take courses in speech, music, and dramatics, and engage in extracurricular activities that will enhance your knowledge of these areas. You should also continue your dance studies during the summer. Some summer camps feature dance training, and special summer classes are available in some large cities.

Postsecondary Training

A number of avenues for advanced training are available. About 240 colleges and universities offer programs leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in dance, generally through the departments of physical education, music, theater, or fine arts. These programs provide an opportunity for a college education and advanced preparation and training. For a list of more than 80 accredited dance programs, visit the National Association of Schools of Dance’s Web site, https://nasd.arts-accredit.org/directory-lists/accredited-institutions. Other possibilities include study with professional dancing teachers or attendance at a professional dance school. There are a number of such schools in the country; most of them are located in large cities.

Typical classes in a dance program include: 

• Choreography
• Dance Production
• Dance and Society: 1700–1960
• Dance and Society: 1960–Present
• Dance and Disability
• Dance, Music and Film
• Dance for the Child
• Improvisation
• Modern Dance: Elementary, Low Intermediate, High Intermediate, Advanced, Performance Workshop, Guest Artists Workshop
• Tap Dance
• Ballet: Elementary, Low Intermediate, Intermediate Pointe, High Intermediate, Advanced, Performance Workshop, Guest Artists Workshop

Experience as a performer is usually required for teaching in professional schools, and colleges and conservatories generally require graduate degrees.

Certification

Some colleges offer certificate programs in dance. For example, Princeton University provides a certificate in dance to students who complete four studio courses above the introductory level, two of which must be performance courses; one seminar course in dance studies; two additional performances during the junior and/or senior year with a guest choreographer; one semester of twice-weekly co-curricular ballet, modern dance, or conditioning classes; Dance Technique and Anatomy of Movement; and 20 hours of technical work in support of the dance program’s productions. Students can focus their studies on dance scholarship, performance, choreography, or an interdisciplinary focus. Visit http://arts.princeton.edu/academics/dance/program-of-study for more information. 

Other Education or Training

Dance/USA offers professional development opportunities at its annual conference. Visit http://danceusa.org/annual-conference for more information.

Certification or Licensing

There is no certification or licensing available or required for dancers.

Training in dance usually begins when a child is still young; in fact, ballet dancers often begin between ages five and eight years old. Training may occur in elementary school, where children take dance instruction and participate in dance recitals. Some children also attend special training programs after school and during the summer. Dance companies frequently offer summer programs and admit students who are talented and want to attend. Training continues during high school and many ballet dancers are dancing professionally by the time they are 18 years old.

Dancers need physical stamina to perform on stage, a good sense of balance so they can move without stumbling or falling, a dedication to teamwork because most dance routines involve other people, and the persistence to put in many years of practice. Persistence and sensitivity, as they apply to the day-to-day preparation of the dancer, are also important personal characteristics.

The physical demands of daily practice as well as the demands of the dance routine necessitate good health and a strong body. A dancer must also have a feeling for music, a sense of rhythm, and grace and agility. Good feet with normal arches are required. Dancing is strenuous and demanding. Many dancers end their performing careers by their late thirties, although a few dancers are able to continue their careers much further.

The preparation for a professional dancing career is as much a test of your personal characteristics as it is of your talent. You need, first and foremost, to be enthusiastic about dancing, for the basic desire to achieve success is an ingredient that will help you overcome some of the disappointment and setbacks that seem to be hurdles normally encountered.

Dancers who cease to perform sometimes continue to work in the field as choreographers, company managers, or dance teachers.