Aspiring dancers need to study intensively under qualified teachers. They should expect to train up to six days a week, for several hours each day, for approximately 10 years. In addition to studying their preferred dance style, they should explore a variety of dance forms, including ballet, jazz, modern and tap.
Young dancers should also take advantage of summer dance programs and institutions. They allow dancers to progress technically, introduce dancers to different instructional styles, help dancers become known to teachers from professional companies and expand their network. Such programs also help dancers gain confidence in their abilities.
Some dancers know the type of dance they wish to pursue in the early teens or before. Others may not decide until their late teens or the end of their pre-professional training. Once a dancer has made this decision, he should find the best training for his form of dance. This may be intensive training, pre-professional programs or apprenticeship with a dance company. Another option is a vocational dance school, where students can begin training at age 11 and continue through age 18.
If dancers plan to perform on Broadway or in films, however, they must perform multiple dance forms well. Therefore, they must study a variety of dance styles, even though they may specialize in one or two. Additionally, these dancers are often required to sing, so they should also take singing classes.
Aspiring dancers should learn about their potential as a dancer. To get a true assessment, they should seek the opinions of their teachers, parents and others in the field. Just a few considerations include body type, flexibility and strength, musicality and technique. Dancers should learn their strengths and weaknesses as well as the types of dance in which they would be most successful. But dancers must also consider their personal desires when determining the dance forms in which they will specialize.
Pre-professional dancers need to gain as much experience performing as possible. They should participate in their dance school's performances as well as school and community productions. This experience helps them gain confidence on stage, teaches them to work with different directors and expands their skill set, especially if they take on different roles such as acting. Dancers will also include some of these performances on their resume when they audition professionally.
Young dancers should gain experience auditioning at minor dance auditions and castings. Some dance attributes that casting directors look for include strong technique, ability to pick up combinations quickly and accurately, ability to adjust to tempo changes, willingness to try unfamiliar steps and a passion for dance.
Before auditioning, dancers should learn about the company and its dance style. Then they should determine if their technique meets the company's standards and if their style matches that of its dancers. Finally, dancers should audition as often as possible, as they will improve their auditioning skills with practice.
Aspiring dancers need a wide network to procure jobs. By talking with other dancers, casting directors, choreographers, agents and others, dancers learn about the industry. Their network also provides tips about upcoming auditions and what particular directors look for in dancers. Additionally, a dance network is important because choreographers often call for dancers they know or have worked with previously.