How to dance like a professional dancer

How to Dance Like a Professional

Have you ever seen a dance performance and wondered how the dancers moved in such a graceful manner that it made your heart melt? Or maybe the sharpness of their moves shocked you in their portrayal of the villain in “Beauty and the Beast”? It is amazing how a dancer expresses an idea or emotion through moving in ways the average person cannot, while also making the effort seem effortless. Dancers take the audience to another world, telling entire stories with their bodies, and when they’re really good, it makes you want to dance too.

Although achievable, such dancing takes practice. If you take an open class, you may not remember all the choreography or you may find that you have trouble with musicality, but both of these challenges can be overcome, as can virtually any other impediments that you can run into when learning to dance. So, if you want to take that next step and learn how to move like the performers who have moved you, get ahead of the game with these tips.

Remember the body is moving as a whole. This may seem obvious, especially to well-established dancers, but for those who don’t know much about dance, it may be useful to be remember that one part of the body doesn’t move independently of the other parts. Be aware of how the dance instructor moves his or her body altogether, and then try it yourself. Avoid focusing on the movement of one body part, imitating it, and then the next time the instructor dances, imitating another movement, and so on. The body is moving as a whole. Do, with the body, what the teacher does, altogether.

How To Become A Better Dancer: 5 Tips -

So you want to know how to become a better dancer?

Here are 5 important tips that will help you improve as a dancer fast:

1. Take Lessons Consistently (You’re not special)

Some people think that they can get good without ever taking any dance lessons…

This is a mistake. Think about everything else you ever learned in your life, did you just wing it? No, you probably took lessons to become good at it. The same goes with dancing. You can take lessons in person or online. For in-person lessons you can do group classes or private lessons. For online lessons you can learn from videos. Check out our online Ballroom dance videos here.

Furthermore, it is important to take the time to find the right dance teacher for your goals, because some are definitely more qualified than others. My recommendation is try out a lesson with several teachers before committing to one specific dance instructor. Read our article on what makes a good dance teacher.

2. Practice Daily At Home/Studio

One of the most important habits you need to adopt is daily consistent practice. No matter how naturally good you are, you need to practice if you want to become a better dancer. Many people assume that just because they take lessons, they don’t need to practice. This could not be further from the truth. It is precisely because you take dance lessons, you need to practice even more to make sure you retain everything you’ve been learning.

Becoming a better dancer requires muscle memory. And muscle memory requires a lot of repetition through practice. So don’t overthink it – simply make some room in your living room, get a mirror and practice the things you worked on at your last lesson/class. Check out our practice guide for Ballroom dancers.

3. Have A Goal

One of the fastest ways to improve your dancing is simply to have a goal to work towards. The goal can be a performance at your studio’s showcase or party. It can also be a dance competition. Even if you don’t want to perform you can still come up with a social dance goal such as “be able to dance comfortably at next month’s party”. Be creative with it as there is no wrong or right goals. The most important thing is to have one and to have a future date that you’re working towards. This will keep you motivated with your daily practice!

4. Feel your body

After you’ve learned the mechanics of the steps and routines, you need to make sure that you let your body “Feel” the movements so that all the steps and styling can really sink in to your muscle memory. You don’t want to be stuck in your head when you’re practicing or taking lessons, you need to be in “your body” to retain the dance moves, and progress faster.

After you got it pretty good, just put on the music and try to feel your body going with the music… This will also add enjoyment to your dancing.

5. Keep yourself inspired

It is critical to work on staying inspired and motivated with your getting better in dancing goal. Life gets in the way, so some days you will be more inspired than others… The key is to figure out some specific triggers that can energize you quickly to get back in the groove, whenever you’re not feeling it.

For example, let’s say you don’t feel like going to your dance practice today. What you can do is watch some videos of your favorite dancers performing your favorite choreography on youtube!

That should get you back on track fast.

Watch Video – 5 Tips For Improving As A Dancer:

What do you think? Leave a comment below.

By: Leon Turetsky
Professional dance instructor

Related:
More Dance Articles & Tips
Types of ballroom dances
Styles of Latin Dances

15 truths about how to be a professional dancer

1. Dancing is hard. No dancer has ever become successful based solely on their innate talents. Dancers are artists and athletes. The world of dance today is akin to an extreme sport. Inborn abilities and talent will help us only up to a certain time. Dancers must work hard and persevere. Dancers give years of their lives, plus sweat, tears and sometimes blood, for the honor and pleasure of performing on stage.

2. You won't always get what you want. We don't always get the role we want, get the job we want, get the compliments we want, earn the money we want, etc., etc. It teaches us humility and respect for the process, the art form, and the masters we have chosen to teach us. The sooner we accept this, the sooner we can succeed. We will never be 100% sure that it will work, but we can always be 100% sure that we will not achieve anything if we do not work.

3. There are many things you don't know. There is always more for a dancer to learn. Even our unloved teachers and choreographers can teach us something. The minute we think we know everything, we stop being a valuable asset.

4. There may not be tomorrow. A dancer never knows when their dance careers will suddenly end…studios close, careers end due to injuries, car accidents, deaths…Dance every day like it's your last performance. Don't save the fun of dancing just for the stage. Perform even ordinary exercises in class with passion!

5. There are many things you cannot control. You cannot control who hires you, who fires you, who likes your job, who doesn't. Don't waste your talent and energy worrying about things you can't control. Focus on honing your skills, be the best dancer you can be. Keep an open mind and a positive attitude.

6. Information is not true knowledge. Knowledge comes with experience. You can discuss the task a hundred times, go to 1000 classes, but without performing on stage even once, we will only have a philosophical understanding of dance. Find an opportunity to get to the stage. You have to know what performances are like firsthand to call yourself a professional dancer.

7. If you want to be successful, prove your worth. The easiest thing that does not require work is to prove to your employer that he does not need you. Instead, be irreplaceable. Come early, know your material, be prepared, keep your opinions to yourself unless asked and above all, be prepared to work hard.

8. There will always be someone better than you/be better than yourself. Whether it's a job, or money, or a role, or trophies, it doesn't matter. Instead of worrying about what others are doing around you, focus on what you're good at, what you need to work on, what makes you happy as a dancer.

9. You cannot change the past. Everyone has a past. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has great moments they want to enjoy. “Would you keep a piece of garlic in your mouth just because you liked potatoes last night?” - "Boston Common" television series. Dance is an art form that forces us to focus on the present. To be a master at dancing, we must be in this moment; Sometimes we fail, we get hurt. If this happens, see point #12.

10. The only person who can make you happy is yourself. Dancing for ourselves and for others cannot make us happy. The basis of our happiness is our relationship with ourselves, not how much money we earn, what role we play, what studio we dance in, or how many competitions we win. I'm sure these things can affect our mood, but ultimately who we are to ourselves makes us happy.

11. There will always be people who don't like you. Dancers are on display when they perform. And especially in the internet world, there are a lot of critics. You can't please everyone. No matter what you do, there will always be those who think it needs to be done differently. So concentrate on doing what comes from the heart. What others think and say about you is not all that important. What really matters is how you feel.

12. Sometimes you will fail. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, following the best advice, being in the right place at the right time, we still fail. Failure is part of life. Failure can be the spur to our greatest growth and learning progress. If we never failed, we would never appreciate our successes. Be prepared to fail. When it happens to you (because it will happen to you), accept the lesson that comes with failure.

13. Sometimes you will work for free. Every professional dancer has ever worked without pay. If you are offered to work for free, you must be sure that you really agree to this. There are many good reasons to work for free, and there are just as many reasons not to work for free. Ask yourself if there is a worthy reason, if it will bring you a good experience, if it will bring you joy. Negotiate all financial aspects at once and completely and do not expect payment at the end.

14. Repetition is good. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is crazy. If you keep doing what you do, you will keep getting what you get. If you keep attending the bare minimum of required classes and don't practice extra, don't complain to your teacher that you're not progressing to the next level. If you want to go beyond your comfort zone, you must force yourself to go beyond your own limits.

15. You will never feel 100% ready. Nobody ever feels 100% ready when the time comes. Dancers must be willing to take risks. From performing dangerous stunts to traveling the world with a new dance team, from trusting a new partner to trying to learn a new dance form, dancers need to have a flexible mind and outlook as well as a body. The greatest opportunities in our life force arise when we grow out of our comfort zone. This means that you will not feel absolutely comfortable or completely ready.

Posted by Melanie Doskocil

How to Become a Professional Dancer (Step by Step) • BUOM

Posted by the Indeed Editorial Team

May 13, 2021

Becoming a professional dancer takes passion, determination, and dedication. You must invest time in building your craft in order to have a successful career. Hard work is an important quality that a professional dancer possesses. In this article, we will explain what a professional dancer is, what a professional dancer does, how to become one, skills, salary and job prospects.

What is a professional dancer?

A professional dancer is a person who has the qualifications, skills and training in a particular form of dance. Professional dancers perform a choreographed dance in front of an audience and use their bodies to convey the emotions that tell the story. They specialize in various dance styles such as modern dance, modern dance, street dance, ballet and hip hop and appear in theater productions, films, music videos and Broadway shows.

What does a professional dancer do?

A professional dancer works with directors, choreographers and other dancers to develop dance sequences for performances. Professional dancers work in a professional environment and work in large dance groups. They spend time studying difficult numbers and interpreting the work of the choreographer. Other duties of professional dancers:

Spending time rehearsing performances
Attendance and preparation for the audition
Learning different types of dance.
Compliance with safety precautions
TEACHING TO MEED HOW TO CHOOKS, such as acting or singing
Timely appearance at rehearsals, advertising events and auditions
Maintaining good relations with other dancers, instructions and senior staff

Professional dancers work in a wide variety of industries, but generally fall into these three categories. These are:

Company dancers: Company dancers are usually hired by one company with which they perform regularly for a long time.
Commercial dancers: Commercial dancers are usually freelancers who work on commercial projects including films, music, cruise ships, musicals and commercials.
Dance teachers: Dance teachers often become teachers when they can no longer dance or discover that teaching is their passion.

How to become a professional dancer

Professional dancers are passionate, determined and persistent in achieving their goals. Here are a few steps to help you transition to professional dancing:

1. Complete extensive training

No qualification or degree is required to become a professional dancer, but training is an important factor. Professional dancers begin their training at age five and begin auditioning for full-time jobs at age 18. Training helps develop the muscle strength and techniques necessary to turn a talent into a profession. Dance groups and performing arts schools offer students the experience they need to enter professional dance groups. People who are just starting out in dance should start with ballet because it offers an excellent foundation for developing strength, muscle memory and flexibility that will help them in any dance style.

2. Consider getting a bachelor's degree

You don't have to have a university degree to become a professional dancer, but a dance major can give you the opportunity to explore different dance genres. You also have the option to focus on a particular dance. A variety of universities and colleges offer majors in dance through visual arts or theater departments. On the dance direction you will learn:

Choreography: you learn how to perform with different dance techniques and ways of expressing yourself through choreography.
Production: As a student, you will learn about behind-the-scenes production processes. This may include sound work, lightbar control, costumes, lighting design, and stage management.
The history of dance: you will learn about the origins of dance and how people from different continents view dance from a social, ceremonial and cultural point of view.
Teaching: You will learn how to develop teaching skills to teach people from different age groups and communities.
Movement and Body Alignment: You will learn about muscle coordination and posture.

3. Gain experience

If you want to increase your chances of getting a job as a professional dancer, you should consider moving to a city where entertainment flourishes. However, take the time to research the arts communities in your area where you can volunteer to dance. You can also gain experience:

Activities: Participation in dance classes helps you develop your skills, stay physically fit and gain experience. Taking dance classes also increases your chances of getting an audition because the director or choreographer may be familiar with your work or have experience working with you.
Master Class Attendance: Most of the dance workshops are taught by renowned choreographers and members of dance groups. Choreographers always keep a close eye on who follows instructions and improves. Always try to make a good impression by attending seminars because it may lead to future opportunities.

4. Find out about union jobs

Major dance companies are unionized, and TV, film and Broadway jobs are unionized. You must have a union card to be eligible to audition. The union card identifies you as a legal union member and allows the union to represent you. Some unions representing dancers are:

Screen Actors Guild / American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA): They represent dancers, recording artists, emerging writers, stunt performers and other media professionals.
Actors' Equity Association (AEA): They present Broadway shows.
American Guild of Musical Performers (AGMA): They represent the New York City Ballet.
American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA): They represent performing artists.

5. Find a talent agent

Becoming a professional dancer can be tricky; this is why most dancers choose to work with a talent agent. A talent agent is a professional dedicated to helping clients navigate the entertainment industry as well as helping their clients find auditions and submit dance videos and resumes. They facilitate the process of professional dance career. You must take the time to research and find a reputable agent.

The union usually represents a reputable agent. Laws vary from state to state regarding talent agents, but the agent should not require you to pay anything. They are usually paid a 10% deduction from your earnings when you commission a job. You must find an agent who shares your vision and is interested in you. Asking other dancers or choreographers for recommendations is a step in the right direction, or you can check agency websites to see what kind of clients they represent. You should have these three things in mind before contacting your ideal agency:

Letter of recommendation: You can ask your dance teacher to write a letter of recommendation that highlights your strengths.
Resume: Your resume should detail your education and performance experience, including what you've done, the name of the project you've danced in, and who you work for. If you haven't worked on a professional project yet, you can list competitions, local productions, and musicals you've been in to add to your performance experience.
Dance video: The agency wants to see your skills, so make sure you record a number that shows your style and talent.

6. Write Your Resume

When you go to an audition, some people may want your resume. Your dance resume should contain important details, including:

Dance Video: This is a short collection of videos that showcase your skills and experience as a dancer. Usually it is several minutes. You must have a dance video no matter what production or project you are applying for.
Headshots: Professional headshots are needed because they help choreographers, agents and casting directors remember you. Headshots also provide choreographers and directors with an easier way to decide which dancers are best suited for a company or production. Your headshots should reflect your current look and be crisp.
Resume: Your resume should be easy to read, accurate and concise. It must include your full name, phone number, email address, union status, and dance experience.

7. Go to auditions

Auditions are a huge part of being a dancer. You can showcase your skills and talents to industry professionals. The process can be overwhelming, whether you're going to audition for a dance company or college, but preparing for them can make the process easier and less stressful. Here are some things that can help the audition process:

Review the audition application. Many application forms contain important information about how the audition process works. It is extremely important to make a checklist of dress code requirements and rules to make sure you follow them.

Do your research: in some cases, you may already know the choreographer you are performing for. Studying their videos to get an idea of their style can give you an idea of how to deliver great performance.
Work on your freestyle: directors or choreographers may want you to freestyle to determine what sets you apart from other dancers. You must practice your freestyle regularly to gain confidence.
Rehearse before your audition: For commercial dances, many auditions are done on camera. You should practice your close-ups by asking a friend or family member to film you.
Get enough sleep: You should get at least eight hours of sleep before your audition to get the energy and focus you need to perform.
Arrive early: To make a good impression, set your alarm for the morning so you can get ready and leave home early.
Dress appropriately: your clothing should be comfortable and appropriate for the style of the dance, and allow for freedom of movement. Your clothing must also comply with the audition rules. Keep in mind that the judges also want to see your body, so wear something appropriate to show off your form. If you're auditioning in a classical category such as ballet, jazz, or modern dance, wear leotards and tights. Some auditions have stricter rules and require you to wear a uniform. Always follow the rules.
Watch the reaction of the judges: pay attention to how the judges react to other dancers performing. Observing the judges' facial expressions and body language can help you avoid the same mistakes other dancers make and inspire you to improve your performance.

8. Stay Healthy

To have a long professional dance career, you must maintain your health and strength. You should avoid processed foods and eat whole foods instead. Also, get regular exercise with cardio workouts like running, swimming, cycling, and weight lifting to strengthen your muscles. This helps to reduce the number of injuries.

Skills of a professional dancer

In addition to being talented, you must have skills that will help you have a successful career. These skills are:

Creativity: You must have interesting, innovative ways to express your ideas through dance.
Physical strength: You must have excellent mobility and strength to move your body without losing balance or falling, and be able to work for a long time.
Learn more

How to dance like a professional dancer