The dance industry offers a wide and diverse range of careers to progress into. From performing on the stage or choreographing behind the scenes, there’s all sorts of different career paths that you can go down after completing a Level 3 performing arts dance qualification with us. Here at Middlesbrough College, we have outstanding staff and resources that will set you up to become successful in whichever performing arts path you may chose. It is easy to have a passion for something you love, but you may not know exactly what to do with it. So here are four careers you can begin to pursue once gaining a Level 3 performing arts dance qualification…
Dance performer
To become a professional dancer requires a lot of self-discipline and determination. The dancing community is highly competitive but can be achievable if you have the right mindset and have plenty of experience, as it’s the best way to build your skills and abilities. Becoming a professional dancer often has a traditional route of progressing into an institution that is recognised and accredited by the C.D.M.T. These are schools such as Laine Theatre Arts, Italia Conti and Bird College to name a few. Many of our previous students have progressed to these schools after completing their 2-year College course. Many dancers dedicate their free time to practising and performing dance in local academies, which also makes a vast influence into getting into these institutions. Responsibilities of becoming a professional dancer once qualified will include preparing for auditions, rehearsing, exercising and entertaining live audiences. Studying and practising the Performing Arts Dance course at Middlesbrough College with our resources and facilities will help prepare you to progress into this pathway.
Choreographer
The role of a dance choreographer is to create and teach dance routines to performers. It is very creatively demanding and involves envisioning a performance and being able to teach that through showing emotion with movement and skill. Choreographers when creating routines, often have an idea of what music, costumes and props go with the routine which is further developed by more specialised professionals. Most people often become choreographers later in life after being performers. Choreographing is a perfect route to take after performing as it allows people to still be a huge part of the dance community and express that form of psychotherapy without having to push their own boundaries in doing so. This is because dance is very physically demanding and like many other physical-centred careers, is often one that people retire early in comparison to others. Becoming a choreographer after being a performer often means a person has a lot of awareness and first-hand experience as to what techniques suit distinctive styles.
Some people choose to pursue a career in choreography after completing their training. Again, the more experienced you are, the quicker you will progress. Studying dance at degree level will provide you with more skill and insight and is often required. During your studies on the Level 3 Performing Arts Dance at Middlesbrough College, you will have an opportunity to experience choreographing and how to do it first-hand, as these skills and techniques are taught as part of the course.
Dance TeacherBecoming a dance teacher has a wider mix of elements and skills that are needed to be successful. If carried out correctly, it can be an extremely rewarding path to work up to. Like any other teaching job, it includes being able to explain and motivate students. Specifically, motivating them with enthusiasm and creativity to further the student’s development whilst being patient and analytical. To become a dance academy teacher, one way is to study a dance related course at University level. This will provide you with both practical and theoretical knowledge. Some degrees also involve teacher training elements, so if you know this is the career you want to pursue, be sure to do your research when applying to University. To become a dance teacher within a public/private school, teacher training and safeguarding is required as you will also be responsible for teaching dance theory and curriculum. Many dance teachers often open their own private dance schools, which goes more into the business sector of the dance industry. Teaching dance in the community is a lot less formal and is more flexible. There are various types of dance teachers in the community and each speciality will require different forms of appropriate training. With that foundation laid out by already having a Level 3 qualification in Dance Performing Arts, it is a promising and exciting career path to go into.
Dance fitness instructor:
The most popular forms of dance fitness are pilates and yoga. Pilates strengthens body awareness whilst improving flexibility and is one of the most recommended exercise types for dancers. Improving these skills will improve a dancer’s whole-body movement and technique when performing and is always in high demand to keep up with the performing industry. Becoming a pilates instructor is great way of being a part of the performing community if your skills and interests also link with fitness. Skills that are necessary for a Pilates instructor in the dance industry are: effective communication, fitness abilities, commitment and so on. To progress to become a pilates instructor, you will need to study for a training course. Once becoming qualified, you can build up your experience through teaching and expand your knowledge. Many dance schools and institutions require pilates instructors to work privately for them to train the dancers to their best abilities.
In addition to this yoga instructors are also highly needed to improve the quality and well-being of dancers. Yoga and pilates have some similarities, however yoga is more spiritually inclined. Yoga involves the practice of improving physical posture and flexibility whilst carrying out meditation and breathing techniques. Yoga focuses on connecting the mind and body to improve overall health and can be highly beneficial for the demanding lives of dancers both physically and mentally. Varying from gentle practices to physically skilled ones, it is all classed as a form of physical therapy and is highly popular in the dance community. Yoga instructors must be able to motivate and communicate with their students as well as having the passion for what the practice is. Therefore, being calm, patient and connected between your mind and body is a crucial factor to be able to influence students to follow that mindset too.
Yoga instructors are always needed in the dance community with it being such a positive and healthy practice. Like pilates instructors, dance schools and institutions often hire them privately to keep up with the demands of dancers.
Throughout the Level 3 Dance Performing Arts course at Middlesbrough college, you will learn the basis of the importance of body movement techniques in performance and how to physically keep up with the demands that comes with it. Pilates and yoga are popular methods of maintaining and improving physical and mental well-being and are in demand both in and out of the performing industry.
Studying at Middlesbrough College will help prepare you for a range of careers and our friendly and professional team will support you with University, dance school or job applications during your studies.
Want to apply for September? There’s still time and places are available! Find out more and apply online today: https://www.mbro.ac.uk/career-choices/course/23804-D083-Performing-Arts-Musical-Theatre-Dance-Acting-Level-3