If you're an avid dancer, you must have fantasied about a career in it. Well, as a dance enthusiast, you must never waste this energy or motivation.

This era has abundant opportunities for artists. Hence, you can build a successful yet fun career for yourself with dancing.

Choreography is one of the most exciting jobs you do as a dancer. So, if you're wondering how much you could earn as a choreographer or what qualifications you require in America, read below.

And If you're a student with a passion for dancing, enquire about the qualifications required and the schools that offer them.

But, if you're a graduate already and are unsatisfied with your boring office jobs, let us tell you it's never too late to build a career in what fascinates you!

Put your efforts in the right direction and unleash the passionate dancer in you. Read on as we discuss numerous exciting career opportunities with dancing in the United States.

A choreographer guiding young girls
Becoming a choreographer takes up a lot of energy and dedication, especially when teaching kids to dance. Even though the job is fun, it can be draining at times. Additionally, you must keep up with training to keep improving (Source: Pixabay)
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$85
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What Do Choreographers Do?

As a dancer, you will be required to learn complex dance moves for:

  • Filming
  • Live performances
  • Theatre

Next, you will have to train to maintain consistent flexibility and timing in each dance step for several hours a day.

Moreover, you will also be required to learn modern dance styles and the emerging trends people are inclined towards. This will also help with marketing and advertising positions.

Additionally, you will have to attend photography sessions and promotional events of the production your dances will be a part of.

In some cases, you may even have to audition to secure a part in a show with dance companies.

Once you've capitalized on all the basics mentioned above, you can look forward to work as a choreographer.

You will be responsible for putting together dance moves to create new routines and interpret the existing ones.

Additionally, you must audition dancers and pick the most suitable candidates for dance performances or play roles.

Furthermore, it is also necessary for choreographers to have a sense of music. If you do not understand what dance suits what kind of music, you can not go far as a choregrapher.

Stage production experience is also appreciated. This includes expertise with lighting, costumes, and the other artistic aspects of the dance performances.

Along with all these specifications, you must also be diligent and should continue learning new styles. The best add-on could be to assist your dance company with finances.

A Career In Choreography

Thinking about a career in dance choreography could keep you from signing up for a practical job that you don't like. Unfortunately, however, most people don't know where precisely to look.

The employment opportunities for choreographers and dancers are expected to show a 6% growth from 2019 to 2029.

Hence, the scope of choreography careers is vast. As a smaller occupation, its rate of growth is expected to be higher than competing professions. The forecast is around 800 new jobs over the decade.

In addition, most of these jobs are projected to be in the private sector. However, massive public sector institutes will begin to cut funding to creative disciplines.

Another reason why there is more potential for employment opportunities in choreography is the expanding interest in pop culture.

Hence, we stand to witness growing demand in:

  • Casinos
  • Movies
  • TV
  • Theme parks

Furthermore, the big American cities will experience this rise in demand for choreographers earlier than the others; this includes Las Vegas and New York.

Required Education And Skills

The job seems fun and physically fitness-oriented. But how do you get started? What qualification does a choreographer need?

Almost all choreographers begin their careers as professional dancers. And professional dancing takes several years of experience with training, depending upon the dance style you choose.

Hence, choreographer qualifications revolve around:

  • Extensive training
  • A dance school degree
  • Practical experience

While all the training and formal education around choreography are acquirable, one must exhibit the required traits:

Athleticism

You should be able to move your body with a sense of rhythm, balance, composure, physical dexterity, and physical strength

Teaching Ability

As a choreographer, your job will involve directing a group of performers to perfect their moves. Therefore, if you can't lead people, the job is not for you!

Teamwork is an add-on. It is crucial to make your student enjoy your classes and make your dance sessions more manageable.

Creativity

To create exciting dance routines, you must have innovative ideas and the artistic ability to express feelings, emotions, and messages with dance moves.

This will allow you to be more aware of what is relevant and trendy, allowing you to market your skills and rake in a more prominent clientele.

Persistence

You must stay committed to practicing and honing your art for years. Choreography requires you to stay determined with your goals in place.

Hence, you should keep learning and improve your services.

Maintain Physical Fitness

As a dancer, you will have to practice for prolonged durations. Such a routine requires you not to get tired and remain energetic even after hours of rehearsals.

This is more of an advantage of a career in dance choreography than a requirement.

A theatrical dance performance
A theatre enables artists to showcase their talent. When it comes to dancing, theatres are famous practicing grounds for performers. Therefore, if you're looking for a career in dance choreography, you must have some theatre experience (Source: VisualHunt)

Qualifications

If you think you possess these skills, you can move towards starting a degree or training. Some dancers may even acquire formal postsecondary education in dancing.

In addition, most modern universities and colleges are now offering bachelors and masters in fine arts and theatre.

Hence, if you're passionate about your talent, work towards building your profile as a professional choreographer.

National Association of Schools of Dance has numerous dance programs to avail yourself and learn the different dancing styles; modern dance, jazz, hip-hop, and ballet.

There are several master's programs for dancers as well. These programs revolve around teaching students the history of dance and creating original content.

In addition, the coursework involves a thesis over artistic perspectives and theories related to dance. A master's program in dance may even allow students to showcase their talent on different platforms.

Even though a master's degree might not be as crucial to your success as a choreographer, it will expose you to experts and learned people in the said field.

Moreover, it will give you the chance to work as a teacher in dance education institutes, as you've already had the exposure.

The best Dance tutors available
Nikolay
5
5 (14 reviews)
Nikolay
$35
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Chefiatou
5
5 (14 reviews)
Chefiatou
$85
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Rourou
5
5 (15 reviews)
Rourou
$205
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Elisabete
5
5 (5 reviews)
Elisabete
$60
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Francesca
5
5 (5 reviews)
Francesca
$25
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Kayla
5
5 (8 reviews)
Kayla
$25
/h
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1st lesson free!
Sophy
5
5 (11 reviews)
Sophy
$30
/h
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1st lesson free!
Léna
4.4
4.4 (5 reviews)
Léna
$50
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Nikolay
5
5 (14 reviews)
Nikolay
$35
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Chefiatou
5
5 (14 reviews)
Chefiatou
$85
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Rourou
5
5 (15 reviews)
Rourou
$205
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Elisabete
5
5 (5 reviews)
Elisabete
$60
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Francesca
5
5 (5 reviews)
Francesca
$25
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Kayla
5
5 (8 reviews)
Kayla
$25
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Sophy
5
5 (11 reviews)
Sophy
$30
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Léna
4.4
4.4 (5 reviews)
Léna
$50
/h
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1st lesson free!
Let's go

Income Expectations As A Choreographer

Money is the most basic incentive. Whatever occupation one picks, money is usually a driving force behind the choice.

So, if you're wondering about becoming a choreographer, you will want to know what kind of a lifestyle you will be able to sustain.

The median hourly wage rate for the occupation in May 2020 was $21. And the highest earnings were recorded as 10% higher than $48.68.

However, you must also understand that the rate varies according to the industry type. For example, while performing arts could bring you an average of $22.43, educational services in dancing have an average of $20.19, whether local, private or state.

These hours are those where you spend time teaching your students or time in your workplace. However, the hours of practice you put into particular dance routines in private do not count.

Working Conditions Of A Choreographer

Choreography jobs in Los Angeles and other busy cities can potentially take a toll on your physical health. This is mainly because of the on-job injuries you are exposed to as a choreographer.

In fact, as a dancer, your occupation has one of the highest injury rates in the industry. Unfortunately, this problem is so pressing that most choreographers leave dancing in their late thirties.

This is because of the physical demands of their work. Therefore, instead, they may look for alternatives such as production and direction.

Additionally, if you're a choreographer, work schedules are another concern. For example, suppose you're employed at a dance school; in that case, you must have standard time durations to follow.

However, in the case of tours, you may have to work long weekdays, rehearsing day and night.

A group dance practice on stage
Group dances are fun but effort-intensive. Keeping the beat and sync in check is an essential aspect of group dance performances, and this takes time and practice. Remember, practice is the most basic requirement for all choreography jobs (Source: Unsplash)

Other Fields To Explore

As mentioned above, some dancers may become choreographers. But, what comes after that? Well, there is a lot beyond this field.

For example, you can become a producer and director for stage plays, theatre, television, and films.

If you believe you have a developed sense of music, you may even step into composition and direction.

Such a job will revolve around composing and writing original music in various trendy styles. You may then lead and direct different group dance performances and record these sessions for albums.

Work With Superprof As A Professional Private Choreographer

While there are many options for you to work for as a choreographer, Superprof brings you another choice!

If you're a passionate dancer or a professional choreographer, Superprof can provide you with a platform to showcase your talent and transfer it to others.

Register as a private choreographer, and every time someone searches for one in your area, you will pop up. This way, you can teach with Superprof and build your profile with authentic reviews and ratings.

So, if you're looking around for choreography jobs to begin your career, log on to Superprof's website and register with us to get started.

Begin now!

Find interesting dance classes near me here on Superprof.

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Aimen

Aimen has five years of experience working in the digital marketing industry paired with her diverse background in fields such as computer sciences, building and construction, international affairs, medicine and finance. As a marketer, she helps businesses of all sizes achieve their goals through increased brand visibility, enhanced lead generation, and proper nurturing of potential leads.