Do you like to dance? Have you ever wondered if you could work as a professional dancer? If you get carried away by your passions and want your work to involve rhythm, connection, synchrony, and body-mind interaction, perhaps this is the piece you were looking for to start investigating a little more about the dance profession in Canada. And how not to give it a shot if dancing allows us to experience new sensations that involve the body, mind, and spirit! Discover everything you need to know to become the most famous dancer in Canada.
How can I become a professional dancer?
To become a dancer in Canada you'll need training through a degree, diploma or completing in a private dance program.
Although in Canadian territory, professional dance and associated professions such as dance teachers are not regulated by provincial bodies, we recommend you get familiarized with the training needed to become a professional dancer in Canada since this is what you will need to obtain a job as a dancer.
Another critical hiring criterion is talent and ability, usually demonstrated during an audition. So if you want to immerse yourself in the professional world of dance, you will need a lot of practice and professional experience as a dancer.
Also, you may need to join an association or academy related to the occupation to access new training and professional networks.
What university has the best dance program in Canada?
Since a university degree or college diploma in dance or graduating from a private dance school or academy may be required to work as a dancer in Canada, here you will find the best university programs for dance:
- York University:
Through the School of Arts, Media, Performance, and Design, you can learn about choreography, performance, and teaching to become a contemporary and global dancer. This is one of Canada's most comprehensive dance programs. Students will split five years of study, earning an Honors Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance from York University and a diploma from the National Ballet School. And you can focus on three main formations: Choreography and Interpretation Branch, Dance Education, and the Teacher Training Program.
- Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University):
Through the Performance Dance (BFA) program, you can obtain excellent training to prepare yourself as a performer, choreographer, or dance teacher. The program offers professional training in multiple dance styles, including ballet, modern, jazz, street, and contemporary dance styles. This Bachelor of Fine Arts has a duration of 4 years.
- Concordia University:
Concordia University's dance program is focused on choreography and the creative process, as well as a comprehensive approach to contemporary dance imparting technical skills, theory, and creative thinking. This program offers specialized training in movement principles and notions of dance forms and style-specific techniques. The Bachelor of Fine Arts takes three full years of the creative process.
- Simon Fraser University:
The School of Contemporary Arts offers a dance program in training, creation, and performance of contemporary dance. The study courses provide theoretical approaches for training by integrating composition, improvisation, collaboration, and interpretation techniques, in addition to promoting transversal projects with other disciplines such as film, music and sound, theater interpretation, theater production and design, and visual arts, among others. This 5-year program is a joint degree/diploma program with the National Ballet School Teacher Training Program.
- The University of Western Ontario:
Dance classes are available through the Don Wright College of Music Music Education Department. Students from all Western University faculties can enroll in dance courses in their sophomore, junior, and senior years. In addition, a Dance Minor is available from the second year. This program offers courses in basic dance concepts, modern technique, theater dance, dance composition and production, movement creation, and dance improvisation, among others.
If you are interested in knowing how long it takes to be a professional dancer in Canada, you will find all the answers here.
What qualifications do you need to be a professional dancer?
If you are interested in learning the qualifications to become a professional dancer in Canada, generally in addition to acquiring a university diploma, it will be essential that you also take into account that dance is a discipline that requires a great deal of passion and dedication, as well as years of continuous training and practice. Therefore, we recommend that you consider the following to be better prepared for professional dance:
- Practice and perseverance are essential factors for success in dance and life. As in other sports disciplines, constant practice is necessary to evolve. With continuous training, the dancer will be able to grow artistically because what is learned can only be integrated with a lot of practice.
- Be open to musical training, such as audition and music theory classes. The interaction between music and dance contributes to the dancer's ability to perform in various musical structures, interpretations, movements, and dance styles.
- Acquire knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, as well as the history of dance. To become a professional dancer, you must acquire singing, acting, and stage skills and even learn to play a musical instrument.
- Keeping up to date with new training methods and techniques, seeking intensive training with qualified teachers, helping each performer develop and strengthen their potential, talent, and artistic identity, and giving them the tools to perform professionally.
You can find private dance schools in Canada, such as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and the National Ballet School of Canada. Also, the Alberta Ballet School is recognized as one of Canada's leading professional dance schools.
Can you make a living as a professional dancer?
The annual salary for a dancer in Canada is approximately $56,000 or $29 per hour. It is essential to consider that entry-level dancer positions may start at $45,000 annually, while more experienced performers can earn up to $65,500 annually. The average salary may also depend on the training and education the dancers have acquired and even the province where they are located. For example, if you are interested in folk dance, perhaps some questions you could ask yourself that will undoubtedly impact your salary:
Is folkloric dance appreciated in your city? How much do citizens attend folkloric dance performances? Are there a good number of schools that teach folkloric dance? Does your government support folkloric dance with enough funding? It is essential to ask yourself these questions to determine how viable it is to make a living as a professional dancer.
With the proper training, experience, and qualifications as a professional dancer, you can also become:
- Dance critics: Professional dance critics are responsible for producing written or spoken reviews of a dance performance (e.g., ballet, modern or contemporary dance). The dance review may employ technical language and reflect the critic's opinions. In addition, did you know that dance criticism is also available in other media types, such as blogs, websites, and even online videos? You can be the next famous blogger in dance criticism!
- Choreographers: This professional works with the corps de ballet to interpret and develop ideas and transform them into stage performances. They usually control the entire production or work hand in hand with an artistic director.
- Artistic directors: A dance project's artistic director helps turn the creative vision into stage reality. Art directors are responsible for working hand in hand with the production designer to give a production its visual identity.
- Dance teacher: A professional who teaches dance to a diverse audience (from young children to adults). They can work in both public and private institutions and are involved in defining the pedagogical, educational, and artistic components of teaching.
Discover more about the salary expectations for professional dancers and the types of jobs for professional dancers in Canada!
Would you like to know more about dance?
After letting yourself be inspired by this fascinating art, we agree 100% with you that it's the perfect time to give it a shot!
The Superprof platform is an excellent virtual tool where you can find personalized tuition to start your favorite dance moves or learn more about art history from anywhere in Canada.
The world of private classes and extracurricular support is broader than you imagine and can be adapted to what you are looking for with just one click. So, if you are looking for a flexible tutoring option that fits your budget and going at your own pace, Superprof is one of the best ways to find what you are looking for.
Welcome to the Superprof Canada family, and dance!
Did you like this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
