Every dancer reaches a point in their lives when it is time to consider their future: what role is dance going to play in your life as you move forward? The college search & decision process is a great time to sort this out. But don’t worry, we are here to help get you the information you need!
Think that the only way to keep dancing is to become a starving artist? Think again. There are numerous ways to stay involved in dance and to build dance into your future without necessarily “risking it all”. Here is a list of some possible professions in the dance industry or that are related to dance:
- Professional Dancer (company dancer, commercial dancer, Broadway)
- Dance Instructor (at the University level, at a studio, directing programs in public schools, outreach programs)
- Studio Owner
- Local studio
- Company director
- Choreographer
- Dance Critic
- Costume Designer
- Work for dancewear/costume manufacturing companies
- Talent agent
- Stage manager
- Work for national tours (competitions, pageants, dance company tours)
- Dance Therapy Specialist (psychology-based)
- Physical Therapy specializing in working with dancers
- Marketing/Advertising for dance companies & businesses
With all of these ideas in mind, you can start to decide how you want to tackle your future dance involvement. Major in Dance? Minor in Dance? These will both give you degrees and credit in the world of academia and certainly help you in becoming a dance teacher, talent manager, choreographer or dance critic.
Schools with a Dance Major
Schools with a Dance Minor
Professional Training Programs
If you really do want to go the professional performance route, consider entering a Professional Training Program (no degree, but world-class training and you are working directly within the world of dance professionals.) No matter what, there will always be a way for you to stay connected to the art form that you know and love.