Become a Dancer
Dancing is a career that begins with ballet classes when girls are between the ages of five and eight; boys generally start classes after age 10. Strict discipline is key to success in any form of dance, since it demands hours of daily practice. Competition for jobs is tremendous and many talented dancers have to turn to other careers to make a living.
Instructions
1. Decide - now that you are most likely a teenager with years of difficult practice behind you - if you want to devote your life to dance. Be honest with yourself. If the answer is yes, take a few steps to make certain you are on a level playing field with other dancers.
2. Make sure you're attending a dance school that is giving you excellent training in ballet and any other form of dance you are studying. Compare it with other dance schools in your area by arranging for several interviews.
3. Ask for information from each school about how students can prepare for and obtain professional auditions with regional ballet companies or national dance companies. A good school should have some connections.
4. Go online to receive further information about the dance field and training. Visit the National Dance Association Web site (see aahperd.org/nda).
5. Remember that there are always local events at which dancers appear. These will give you practice performing before the public.
6. Consider that a full-time college education immediately after high school might work against you if you put off trying to get those all-important professional auditions when you are 18. If you wait until you graduate from college, you will be competing with younger dancers who have been concentrating on their craft.
7. Work toward a bachelor's degree if you decide you want to teach dance in a school or university setting. Go to the National Association of Schools of Dance Web site (see nasd.arts-accredit.org) for a list of accredited colleges offering dance programs.
