Tag: career

When You Should—and Shouldn’t—Teach for Free

Ever feel the exciting rush of landing your first gig, only to have your stomach drop when you realize you won’t be paid? If you haven’t found yourself in this tricky situation yet, you might’ve still heard the warning stories from other dancers. And if it’s one of your first serious offers to teach or […]

What to Expect at Your First Dance-Contract Meeting

As a dancer, you get artistic feedback in small doses every day: “Don’t forget to spot,” “Turn out your leg,” “Raise your passé”—the works. But what happens when you land that first job, and it comes time to sit face-to-face with your company’s artistic leadership to discuss your bigger-picture progression? We asked three experts for […]

Are TV Dance Competitions a Key to Career Success?

In April 2015, Alyssa Allen found herself in a nearly unprecedented position. It was Vegas Week on Season 12 of “So You Think You Can Dance,” she was a clear favorite for the show’s Top 20—and she respectfully declined the opportunity. In a conversation with judge Nigel Lythgoe, Allen said she strongly believed she should […]

How College Career Counselors Can Help You Advance Your Dance Career

If you want to go far with dance after college, head to your university’s career services office early and often. “We try to see all first-years during their first semester,” says Faith McClellan, director of Field Work Term and career development at Bennington College in Bennington, VT. “That’s when you should ask the big questions: […]

What It Means to Major in Dance at a Liberal Arts College

If you’re thinking about majoring in dance at a liberal arts school, you’re probably already excited about the technique and repertory classes on offer. But what about the academic classes that you’ll need to complete your major? In college, you’ll be dancing a ton. But you’ll also devote time to academic work designed to help […]

How I Got Here

The path to dance success isn’t always a straight line. We asked three pros to reflect on their careers—including the disappointments, unexpected opportunities and inspiring moments of perseverance. Daniel “Cloud” Campos Currently a commercial performer, choreographer and director (Photo by Joe Toreno) Performing at Universal Studios Florida Campos began breaking at a very young age, […]