Dancer Career Guide and Counseling

Question: How do you become a professional dancer? To hip hop dancers, ballet dancers, any dancers, How did you become a dancer? While I am not planning to be a dancer, I am very interested to know how you become a professional. Like, what are the good dancing schools, how many years does training take, when did you start dancing, and so on. Also, what kind of career opportunities do different types of dancers have? If you are a professional dancer, or even if you are not, please post an answer. :) Not that kind of dance. Thank you for your answers. :) However, I would appreciate if more people posted their opinion on how many years of training is reasonable/typical and what kind of career opportunies are available. I did check out So You Think You Can Dance and Dancers 4 Answers. Thanks, especially for the answers website. I am more interested in hop hop than classical or swing or those kinds of dances. I know that ballet education is more structured and it's easier to give answers on it. But does anyone know about hip hop?

Answer: The biggest thing is to practice as much as possible and get yourself out there. Taking classes in various types of dance is important to find what you are good at and gain skill. But after that, a lot of it has to do with natural skill (not everyone can be a dancer) and motivation. It is a lot of hard work, as you spend hours practicing and have to regularly audition (to get your name out there and start performing). While I was trained in various dance forms, I currently choreograph and so I tend to make new moves and use different styles in my work, and I don't always use classically trained dancers because sometimes the best dancers are those who have the natural talent and had the motivation to learn on their own and keep trying. It has a lot to do with your natural skill and ability to put yourself out there. Edit: I just want to add that while I respect Janine's opinion, I never said dance training was not important. In fact, if you read my answer, I said taking classes and gaining key skills was important to be a good dancer, but that I believed natural talent also played a part in it and classical training is not always going to get you there. Give some classes a try and see what happens!

Question: How much ballet should a dancer take to effectively branch out into other genres? This is a general question for all dancers, not just for professional ballet dancers. How much ballet training is sufficient for a dancer to have "technique" and effectively acquire and excel at other styles of dance? I know barre and centerwork are ubiquitous even at the professional ranks, but I'm referring to before that.

Answer: Well honestly, you should never stop taking ballet. Ballet is the center of all that is dance. It helps with a lot of other styles and techniques. Like tap for instance, you need ballet! Pretty much anywhere you go, dance instructors will tell you that. Best of luck!

Question: The dancer is standing still on one leg. What is the x component of the friction force? A dancer is standing on one leg on a drawbridge that is about to open. The coefficients of static and kinetic friction between the drawbridge and the dancer's foot are u(s) and u(k), respectively. N represents the normal force exerted on the dancer by the bridge, and Fg represents the gravitational force exerted on the dancer. Assume that the bridge is a perfectly flat surface and lacks the curvature characteristic of most bridges.

Answer: Zero

Question: What makes a good and well rounded dancer? How would someone prepare to be a well rounded dancer? What is dancing? The basics please break it down from A-Z. What is a dancer? Who can be considered a dancer?

Answer: Take ballet class. And acro. And tap. And lyrical. And jazz. And technique. And hip hop. To be well-rounded, you must be good at everything. Turns, leaps, kicks, and tumbling are all "specialty" areas. Also, you should be able to pick up choreography fast, work well with others, know how to count music, be able to free style/make up poses in all types of dance, and remember routines.You should be able to take correction easily, and have a ton of dedication. You should be responsible to bring all props, bring shoes, bring costumes, and show up for class and rehearsals and competitions and performances. dancing is art. its expressive movement, normally to music, but i guess it doesnt have to be. anyone who dances is a dancer :] generally we dance at studios and spend most of our lives there haha. the good ones compete and perform. some even dance at their schools.

Question: What should a dancer eat before a preformance? I am 13 and a dancer I really need to know what to eat before a preformance, because i want to keep my good figure and also get energy out of what I eat. I once read an article to have a lot of liquid, is that true? I would realy appriciate your answers. Thank You!

Answer: Dancing is a lot like my Tae Kwon Do ( I used to be a dancer, and I am still doing kicks!!!), best idea is to eat light. I'd reccomend a sandwich or a salad with some meat in it. After that it would be a good idea to top of dinner with a piece of fruit. After the show, you can chow down. An yes liquid is good. Drink a bottle of water a little while before, and another after. You don't want to drink too much because it will make you somewhat uncomfortable. Good luck with your performance.

Question: How do I become a better dancer to pop & music? What things do exellent dancers do that regular people don't do when dancing to fast music? What things can make me a better dancer? Help me, Please and thank you.

Answer: Stretch regularly. Practice different moves over and over until it becomes natural. Practice until it becomes natural to you, so you don't look stiff or insecure on the dance floor. Keep in RHYTHM, for goodness sakes! Work out regularly to keep in shape. HAVE FUN! Who cares how you look out there when you are having fun?

Question: What does it really take to become a dancer? There are back-up dancers who just dance in videos and there are real dancers that get jobs for good dancing music videos, what is the low down and what does it really take to become a good dancer with good jobs.

Answer: Back-up dancers ARE real dancers. A paying gig is a paying gig, and there aren't enough of them in the world to employ all of the well-trained dancers. Becoming a good dancer is fairly straight-forward: get trained by people who have had professional experience. Becoming a good dancer WITH GOOD JOBS is another thing altogether, as many good dancers have tried and given up due to lack of employment or employment that pays the rent and food bill. Some of the things it takes to make it: 1) Perseverance - the ability to withstand constant rejection and hang in there. 2) Looks - and having the right look for the right job. 3) The "It factor" - stage presence that makes an audience want to watch you. 4) Strong technique - comes from years of training. 5) Nice personality - ability to get along with other dancers and directors. NEVER BURN BRIDGES in showbiz. 6) Organization and drive - you'll need to juggle your life and get to auditions and rehearsals on time and prepared. 7) Political savvy - showbiz isn't "fair," so learn to deal with it with a smile and play the game to get ahead. 8) Lots of luck - being at the right place at the right time and meeting the right people. 9) Rich family members who support you before your first break and between breaks. 10) A good agent (in some markets) or connections.

Question: How do I become a professional belly dancer? My mother used to train for up to seven hours a day (for several years). I've been thinking about it for a few years, and now I wonder... Is 28 a bit late to begin training (from the beginning) to become a professional belly dancer? And how do I train to become a serious, professional belly dancer? Thank you ;) Lol, Theresa. That's not a problem for me. Anyway, is 28 too late to begin (to start from the beginning with the intention of doing it professionally)?

Answer: It is never too late to begin dancing. Take lessons and then eventually you will be good enough to perform on your own and charge people. Have you heard of Rachel Brice? Youtube her if you haven't. My friend took classes with her, and Brice only took a few belly dance classes then began dancing/choreographing on her own. Now shes touring and performing in her own shows. She's amazing and has developed her own technique and personality. Find a good teacher who has a good reputation, and those belly dance videos won't teach you much either. You need a teacher to correct your technique in the beginning. What you put into dance you will get back. Practice is the key, and focus. Oh, BTW (in response to Philip): Bellydance is a Middle Eastern dance style, it has nothing to do with India.

Question: What would be your definition ofa good dancer? Like what makes your think that somebody is a good dancer? Also any advice on how to become a better dancer? Oh when I say good dancer, I mean like going out dancing sort of dancing.

Answer: A good dancer is someone who pushes him/herself to improve some more. He/She doesn't settle on what they have right now but strives to be better. There's no real shortcut or secret into becoming a better dancer. Just keep on practicing and you'll eventually be better.

Question: How do you get started becoming a professional dancer? I have been dancing for twelve and a half years now and I really would like to be a back up dancer for pop/rock dancers. Like going on tour and what not... I really love to dance but I don't know how to get started in that type of dancing. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Answer: AUDITIONS... they are posted in newspapers, on the web but before you back up dance for pop/rock dancers i believe you must try start small like big group performance then you have the references. references are the major thing you need. just remember practice and have fun then you will succeed!

Question: How do I become a dancer in a nyc nightclub? I am interested in becoming one of those go-go or caged dancer in a nyc nightclub.

Answer: Do you mean a stripper? NYC doesn't have clubs with caged go-go dancers, unless you're talking about strip clubs. If so, be really, really hot and get comfortable flirting with 40 year old guys and tricking them out of their money by hinting you might go home with them. Also, make sure you lock up your stuff so it doesn't get stolen while you're working and be prepared for the club owners who'll only let you work if you sleep with them or give them a cut of your earnings.

Question: What is a good tattoo for an exotic dancer? I'm going to be getting a job as an exotic dancer soon. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I am under the impression that all exotic dancers have tattoos. What would be a good tattoo for me to get?

Answer: I would say do not get one. If it is indeed common for them to have tattoos then you would stand out a little bit more and could get more tips. Remember lots of guys like the innocent girl image too...

Question: What is it like to date a professional ballet dancer? I'm a nurse. I have a date tomorrow with a ballet dancer. What will she be like? What do we have in common? Will she be a fun person? Is anybody intimitated by the thought of dating a dancer?

Answer: I'm a dancer and am studying to become a surgeon. I can't tell if she's fun or not, I mean it varies person to person. Your profession doesn't tell much on your personality, mainly on your education. She could be more on the serious side, but I'm sure she should be a nice girl wanting to have a good time and being able to get away from the strict atmosphere of a studio. I'd have things in common with a nurse or doctor just because I am also interested in their field of work. Find out about music, food, and just things she enjoys in her free time. Girls like men to listen to them, so make sure you pay attention and act like you are really interested in her. Don't be intimidated by a dancer, there is nothing to be afraid of. You should be comfortable and confident in yourself but not cocky. No dancer, or any female for that matter, wants someone like that. Be courteous. As a dancer, we have learned, depending on our teacher, but as a whole, to always be polite and formal. Have good manners and be a gentlemen as you would to any lady. Just be yourself and be aware of her needs. I agree with snowflake, have her choose the restaurant. I am a picky eater, as most are. Have fun on your date!

Question: How do you become a backup dancer for a celebrity like britney spears or christina aguilera? My dream is to become a backup dancer or in a music video. Do you need an agent to get booked? Or is it possible to find information about the auditions on your own? Thank you so much! Any extra advice is greatly appreciated!

Answer: visit answers4dancers.com that should answer any questions! :)

Question: Where to find work a proffessional dancer? I have 16+ years of experience, would love to be a commercial dancer or something like that. (nothing adult related) Oh, I should add, I have 4 children so being gone isn't an option..... :(

Answer: I have friends that dance as professional dancers on various cruise ships! They love it and the perks are wonderful. They have gone on so many far and exotic cruises and danced their way across the world. Check with the cruise lines, I am sure they would snatch you up if you are that good.

Question: Is being a good dancer or looking good the main importance in clubbing? I have a little vendettain talking about hiphop dancing, only because I think that in a hiphop club it has little to do with how you dance and more to do with how you look; however, when talking about latin dancing regardless of how you look you get respect if you are a good dancer and you know if a person is a good latin dancer regardless of how they look!

Answer: nope you dont need to be a good dancer or look good all you need to do is HAVE FUN!!! and be your self you will also make plenty of friends this way! have fun and DRINK LOTS OF WATTER!!! have fun and good luck