Dancers (NOC 5134)

Description

This unit group includes dancers and dance teachers. Dancers are employed by ballet and dance companies, television and film productions and night clubs and similar establishments. Dance teachers are employed by dance academies and dance schools.

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Example Titles

ballet dancer
ballet teacher
ballroom dancing teacher
dance instructor
dancer
folkloric dancer
interpretive dancer
tap dancer

>> View all titles

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Classified Elsewhere

Choreographers (in 5131 Producers, Directors, Choreographers and Related Occupations)
Other Performers (5232)

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Duties

Dancers perform some or all of the following duties:

Practise and rehearse dance routines under direction or instruction to achieve desired interpretation and presentation
Perform dances as soloists or as members of groups before live audiences or for film or television
Train and exercise to maintain the required levels of ability and fitness
May choreograph their own performances.

Dance teachers perform some or all of the following duties:

Teach dance technique and artistic interpretation to amateur and professional individuals and groups
Teach the techniques, cultural origins and symbolic meanings of aboriginal, ethnic and folkloric dances
Teach recreational dancing lessons such as ballroom dancing
Prepare dance students for specific auditions and performances.
Dancers may specialize in specific types of dance such as ballet, ballroom, folk, jazz or modern.

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Skills

Dancers need the following skills and abilities:

enjoy using their bodies to interpret music to entertain people,
talent and creativity,
physical strength and excellent conditioning,
good health,
self-discipline and determination,
self-confidence,
ability to learn quickly and to remember choreography and music,
ability to work with other people.

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Employment Requirements

Talent and ability, as demonstrated during an audition, are important hiring criteria. Some dancers may also be required to have acting talent.
Graduation from a private dance school or academy may be required.
Instructors must have experience in dance.

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Terms & Conditions

Dancers work long, late hours. Most perform in the evenings, but have to spend a great deal of time in rehearsals. They must practice daily even when not performing, and must maintain their physical fitness, weight, and appearance. Their job is strenuous and they are susceptible to injuries, which can force them to leave the occupation. For these reasons, dance careers are much shorter than most other occupations. A career in dance often involves travel and may mean relocating to a larger centre. With the exception of dance companies, work engagements tend to be erratic and short term.

Dance instructors usually work evenings and Saturdays. Most academies and dance schools operate from September to May. The majority of their students are young female dancers. This work is not as rigorous as professional dancing.

In Manitoba, 19% of dancers are self employed. According to the 2006 Census, only one third (34%) of this occupation work full time. Many dancers work in other occupations to supplement their incomes.

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Earnings

$24,800 per annum - starting

$31,000 per annum - average

$64,600 per annum - high

Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.

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Education / Training

The University of Winnipeg offers a Dance Stream degree program.
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Professional Division and the School of Contemporary Dancers offer programs in this field.
Some high schools offer programs in Dance.

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Career Paths

Dancers usually learn a specific type of dance in lessons when they are children. They may specialize in ballet, ballroom, folk, jazz or modern dance.

Most dancers' professional careers are short. With further training and experience they may become dance teachers, choreographers, artistic directors, producers, dance critics.

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Outlook

Employment prospects for dancers are expected to be limited in the 2010 - 2014 period. This is a small occupational group in Manitoba, employment in 2010 is estimated at 220.

Employment opportunities will result from the replacement of retiring artists as dancers tend to have relatively short career spans. Most dancers start preparing for this career at a very young age; very few start professional dance training as adults. According to the 2006 Census, most dancers in Manitoba are under 40 years of age. A few opportunities will also result as new dance forms that combine classical techniques with new expressive art forms evolve. An example is of this art is Cirque de Soleil. There is also a growing interest locally in aboriginal traditions which may create a few opportunities for aboriginal dancers.

Employment opportunities for dancers are concentrated in Winnipeg. They work in the Educational Services (80%), and Arts, Entertainment and Recreation sectors (23%).

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