i want to become a dancer when im older and.....?

Question

i live in greece. but i want to go to a dance school in the uk.
i leave school at 18 n then i want to come to england to a dance school. what certificates /grades do i need to have ?
i go to a dance school now here in greece and this yr im going to get my first certificate in modern dance. what else do i have to do?
this is really important to me so please answer me seriously with any info you have. thank you. x

Answer 1

dancer
The work
Professional dance covers three main areas – classical ballet, contemporary dance, and musical theatre or modern stage dance (which includes jazz and tap, and often also involves acting and singing). Other fields are also growing in popularity, such as African and Asian dance styles and street dance. Professional dancers usually specialise in one area, and may perform live, on TV or in music videos.



Usually, dancers will interpret the work of a choreographer, although in some cases improvisation may be required. As well as performing, dancers spend a lot of time rehearsing and maintaining their skills and fitness.

Many dancers combine performance with other related work such as teaching or working on projects in schools and colleges.

Social dancing, such as ballroom, disco and line dancing, is usually done as a recreational activity, although there may be a few opportunities to teach others, perform on stage or in competitions.


Hours and Environment
Work as a dancer is strenuous and involves long hours, with rehearsals and practice during the day and performances in the evenings. Travel is often involved, touring in the UK and possibly abroad. It is often necessary to re-locate to find work.



Performances take place in a range of venues, including theatres, film and TV studios, nightclubs and cabarets, hotels, halls and on cruise ships, so facilities will vary. Rehearsals may be in purpose-built studios or more basic locations.


Skills and Interests
To be a dancer you should:

be talented and creative
have a good sense of rhythm and timing
be enthusiastic, determined and prepared to work extremely hard
be able to maintain focus and concentration
have the ability to memorise complicated routines
have flexibility, for example to deal with cast changes and different venues
have a high level of fitness, stamina and resilience
have the ability to work well with others.

Entry
To become a professional dancer you will usually need to train for several years in at least one aspect of dance. Training is often undertaken from the age of 16, although it can begin as early as 10 or 11, especially for those wishing to become ballet dancers; for classical ballet it is necessary to start training whilst the bones and joints are still flexible, usually between the ages of 10 and 12 for girls and 10 and 15 for boys, although some begin between five and eight.



Many professional dancers have attended classes with private teachers, or at independent dance schools, from primary school age, and some go to specialist vocational schools such as the Royal Ballet School from age 11 or younger, and combine dance training with general education. Some of these schools are residential.

Dance schools offer part-time lessons in one or more forms of dance, usually preparing students for the graded examinations of awarding bodies such as the Royal Academy of Dance and the British Ballet Organisation. These schools also offer full-time dance courses, which take students at age 16 or 17, and which are designed to prepare you for a career as a performer. Check entry requirements with individual schools, as these may vary.

Entry to vocational schools is by audition, and usually interview and medical. The most important requirements will be performance ability and potential. Different styles of dance have different requirements as to height and physique.

Information on registered teachers and accredited courses is available from the Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET).

Dance-related courses available at colleges of further education include A Level Dance or Performing Arts (Dance), or BTEC/SQA Foundation, National Certificate or Diploma in Performing Arts (Dance). These help you develop a range of dance skills and may be required for entry to some vocational schools, but if you wish to develop a career as a performer you will usually need to supplement these by taking extra classes, or gaining dance experience, for example by joining a local youth dance company. The Foundation for Community Dance website has an online directory of dance companies (see Further Information section).


Training
Vocational dance schools may specialise in specific dance styles such as classical ballet, or offer training in theatre dance, covering jazz, contemporary, ballet, and other subjects useful in musical theatre, such as singing and acting. Training will include extensive practical work. Most of these schools are private. Funding may be available for approved courses through the Dance and Drama Award Scheme, which is funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).



Most courses lead to a National Diploma in Professional Dance or a National Certificate in Professional Classical Ballet, awarded by Trinity College, London.

Some of the specialist institutions also offer full-time vocational degree courses, which have a practical emphasis to prepare students for careers as dance artists. Entry to degree courses is usually with a minimum of five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) and two A levels or three Scottish Highers or equivalent, plus an audition.

A number of colleges of higher education and universities offer degree courses in dance, but you should check the content of these, as they are often aimed at those who wish to work in areas such as dance education, administration and development, rather than as performers.

On-going training is essential throughout a dancer’s career, in order to maintain and develop skills. Courses, workshops and summer schools are available at dance schools throughout the UK.

It can also be useful for dancers to gain other skills, which can be used to supplement income, or for career development when performance is no longer possible. This could include training which builds upon dance skills and knowledge, such as Pilates, massage, the Alexander Technique, yoga and other complementary therapies. After gaining experience as performers, some dancers undertake training in dance-related areas such as choreography, notation, dance teaching, community theatre work and arts administration.

The Work in Dance website has information on professional development for dancers, and CDET offers advice on all aspects of dance education and training. Dancers’ Career Development (DCD) offers educational advice and funding for eligible professional dancers who need to make the transition from performing careers. See Further Information section for more details on all of these organisations.

Professional dancers may be able to apply for funding for some aspects of professional development through national Arts Councils.


Opportunities
Competition for dance work is intense, and periods of unemployment and under-employment are common.



Many dancers work initially in the corps de ballet in classical ballet, or as part of a small company or chorus. Only the best will succeed as a principal or soloist dancer. Hard work, talent and dedication are essential.

Employers include ballet companies and contemporary dance companies. Dancers may perform in musical shows in the theatre, in clubs and cabarets in the UK and abroad, or on cruise ships. Some dancers set up their own companies, possibly with funding from the Arts Councils.

Dancers often have a relatively short performing career, and after their mid-thirties most either retrain or move into other dance-related areas such as:

dance teaching, either in state schools, private classes or running their own dance school (see the Dance Teacher profile for more details)
choreography (see Choreographer profile)
dance movement therapy (see profile)
dance administration and management
freelance journalism.

Annual Income
Figures are intended as a guideline only.



Equity, the actors and performers union, has negotiated minimum rates for ballet and dance artists who are Equity members of £304 a week. Non-Equity work may pay less.

Many dancers work as freelancers on a contract basis and rates of pay vary widely according to the type of dance and geographical location. A number of dancers supplement their salaries by working in related areas such as teaching, choreography, and dance in community settings, or by taking jobs unrelated to the field.

Full-time employment by a company is rare in the contemporary dance area. Dancers are mainly employed on short-term contracts and paid a weekly fee.


Further information


Arts Council England
14 Great Peter Street
London
SW1P 3NQ
Tel: [phone]
http://www.artscouncil.org.uk


Arts Council Wales
http://www.artswales.org.uk


Arts Council of Northern Ireland
http://www.artscouncil-ni.org


British Ballet Organisation
Woolbororough House
39 Lonsdale Road
Barnes
London
SW13 9JP
Tel: [phone]
http://www.bbo.org.uk


Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET)
Old Brewer's Yard
17-19 Neal Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2H 9UY
Tel: [phone]

http://www.cdet.org.uk


Dance UK
Battersea Arts Centre
Lavender Hill
London
SW11 5TN
Tel: [phone]
http://www.danceuk.org


Skillset Careers
Tel: [phone] for England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Tel: [phone] for Scotland
http://www.skillset.org/careers


Royal Academy of Dance (RAD)
36 Battersea Square
London
SW11 3RA
Tel: [phone]
http://www.rad.org.uk


Scottish Arts Council
Tel: [phone]
http://www.scottisharts.org.uk


Foundation for Community Dance
Cathedral Chambers
2 Peacock Lane
Leicester
LE1 5PX
Tel: [phone]
http://www.communitydance.org.uk


National Dance Teachers Association (NDTA)
PO Box 4099
Lichfield
WS13 6WX
Tel: [phone]
http://www.ndta.org.uk


Dancers Career Development (DCD)
222-227 Africa House
64 Kingsway
London
WC2B 6BG
Tel: [phone]
http://www.thedcd.org.uk


Equity
Guild House
Upper St Martin’s Lane
London
WC2H 9EG
Tel: [phone]
http://www.equity.org.uk


Dance and Drama Awards
http://www.direct.gov.uk/danceanddrama

If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning advisor at the learndirect advice line, call 0800 100 900 or email: [e-mail]

Answer 2

u should finish college if you want to get a good job if u cant become a dancer just warnin ya
but other than that good luck!

Answer 3

greece