7 answers
ace
Student
Vancouver, Washington
1
Question
7 answers
Valerie F
medical student
161
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Valerie’s Answer
Yes! I have a friend that is now a Professional ballerina for Washington D.C. Ballet Company. She has travelled all over the world and she started at age 16! Make sure you do you research and know that this is something you want to do. My finished high school online because she trained all hours of the day. Best of luck
Marina Baker
24
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Marina’s Answer
YES! You can start a new career at any age: 18, 34, 65. Many of my friends went into dance as a career. One owns and operates her own studio, another teaches full-time at few local studios and a couple have gone on to choreographing for musicians and other performing arts. I encourage you discover what about dance you enjoy and what some short-term & long-terms goals could be. While compensation can vary depending on if you're a teacher, choreographer, performer - be clear on what you'd like to pursue and put in the work.
Dee Lyon
Lead Supervisor
22
Answers
Hilliard, Ohio
Updated
Dee’s Answer
You definitely can start a dance career at age 18. If you're willing to put in the hard work to learn and do the research on dance companies you can start a dance career at any age. A career takes perseverence, heart and education. Put in the time and get up to speed to be successful.
Lyndsey J Strand
Artist
11
Answers
Vancouver, Washington
Updated
Lyndsey J’s Answer
Absolutely I actually started working when I was at Fred Astaire and that’s how I became a professional dancer. I was very fortunate they taught me every kind of dance and I worked there for years and then I went on to doing competitions and then branched off into all kinds of dance I was actually featured on dance fever with Danny Ontario back in the 70s and went on to do a lot more dancing so you can absolutely start a career and I wish you all the best. Lyndsey
Erik Lai
Indirect Account Manager
16
Answers
East Meadow, New York
Updated
Erik’s Answer
Hi! First off, best of luck! My belief is any profession in performing arts can be started at your age. Be sure to consult with your family and hire an agent to represent you.
Mansi Sharma
Technical engineer
20
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Mansi’s Answer
On average it takes 9 years of disciplined training to become a professional dancer. This is based on a dancer becoming serious at age 9 and turning pro at 18. Becoming a professional can take less or more time, can occur earlier or later and even 'professionals' continually train to become more professional.
Cynthia Goldberg
Career Advisor (university) retired
22
Answers
Davis, California
Updated
Cynthia’s Answer
maybe. have you been dancing? in class? lessons? are you willing to do very hard work- physically and emotionally? do you have reason (besides your own viewpoint) to think you are exceptionally talented in dancing - are you strong, coordinated, musically oriented, have good visual and body memory, athletic, graceful, creative, driven? Can you handle competition for jobs as there are very few? are you willing to have irregular work and pay? what will you do once your body ages out of a dance career? teach? have you been a coach, choreographer, youth leader, teacher? Are you a risk taker? Can you live with uncertainty? What type of dance do you love and are you ok with other types of dance if that's what the job calls for? Can you take criticism and rejection....going to auditions and not getting the job? Is dance part of your every breath? Are there some other ways you can use your love of dance besides being a dancer? Could you work with other performance or creative careers? Do you love working with the human body? could you pursue a health career or physical education or athletic training or recreation therapy? Can you support yourself with some other work and dance as a recreational activity? So many questions. The answers to some of these will help you figure out if you can put out the major effort to become a dancer now? While nothing is impossible, somethings are very difficult. Good luck!
thanks helped alot
ace
cool. this is fun for me. i hope you'll have a good think...maybe write up some ideas and bounce them around in your head or with those who know you well....and begin to find some answers. this is not an easy or quick process. give it time, if it takes a while to figure out, it means you're doing the work!
Cynthia Goldberg