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Dancers

The occupation Dancers covers people who perform dances. O*NET rates it as medium preparation, which usually means one or two years of vocational training, an apprenticeship or an associate’s degree. It leans on active listening, critical thinking, and coordination. One core duty is to study and practice dance moves required in roles. With a code of ARS, this is mostly a job for people drawn to creative work with room for original expression. Realistic interests also help, rated 4.8 out of 7. The job can ask you to harmonize body movements to rhythm of musical accompaniment. People who want creative work with room for original expression usually fit better here than those who need research, analysis and working through hard problems.

What they do

Perform dances. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for video recording.

Main tasks

  • Study and practice dance moves required in roles.
  • Harmonize body movements to rhythm of musical accompaniment.
  • Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.
  • Coordinate dancing with that of partners or dance ensembles.
  • Develop self-understanding of physical capabilities and limitations, and choose dance styles accordingly.
  • Perform classical, modern, or acrobatic dances in productions, expressing stories, rhythm, and sound with their bodies.

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Coordination
  • Time Management
  • Speaking
  • Social Perceptiveness

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You want room to make something in your own way.
  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You are willing to put in a year or two of focused training.
  • You are comfortable relying on active listening and critical thinking.

May not suit you if

  • You prefer clear instructions to open creative briefs.
  • You want to spend most of your time analyzing and researching. Investigative rates 1.4 out of 7 here.
  • You need to start within a few months, with no training period.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ARS takes the three highest, and Artistic comes first here.

Preparation

Medium preparation. Expect vocational school, an apprenticeship, related experience or an associate’s degree, usually one or two years in total.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Ballerina
  • Ballet Company Member
  • Ballet Dancer
  • Ballet Soloist
  • Belly Dancer

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.