Are you passionate about dance, and would you like to make it your way of life? Dance is an artistic discipline that requires individuals who are passionate not only about dance but also about art, music, and culture. Those who choose this career must be convinced that the body is the best tool for transmitting sensations and emotions to tell a story. But also that professional dance could involve much more than just performing.

If you want to become a professional dancer, you will master both artistic and technical knowledge about different dance styles, skills, and instruments, but also you will learn everything that goes on behind the scenes. Discover all the employment opportunities after obtaining a degree in dance, follow your passions, and discover how to Become a Profesional Dancer in Canada!

The best Dance tutors available
Becah
5
5 (11 reviews)
Becah
$60
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Onton
5
5 (10 reviews)
Onton
$75
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Mika and kaia
5
5 (12 reviews)
Mika and kaia
$150
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Oxana
5
5 (12 reviews)
Oxana
$130
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Sujaya
4.9
4.9 (24 reviews)
Sujaya
$20
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Drishti
5
5 (7 reviews)
Drishti
$25
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Anja
5
5 (7 reviews)
Anja
$25
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Aayushi
5
5 (6 reviews)
Aayushi
$60
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Becah
5
5 (11 reviews)
Becah
$60
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Onton
5
5 (10 reviews)
Onton
$75
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Mika and kaia
5
5 (12 reviews)
Mika and kaia
$150
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Oxana
5
5 (12 reviews)
Oxana
$130
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Sujaya
4.9
4.9 (24 reviews)
Sujaya
$20
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Drishti
5
5 (7 reviews)
Drishti
$25
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Anja
5
5 (7 reviews)
Anja
$25
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Aayushi
5
5 (6 reviews)
Aayushi
$60
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Let's go

What employment opportunities are out there for professional dancers?

Anyone becomes a professional dancer in Canada; however, after obtaining a degree in dance, you can find many career possibilities in Canada. Even if only a tiny percentage of young people interested in becoming professional dancers work as performers or choreographers due to the great competition and high demand, dance graduates possess a wide variety of skills and techniques that will also allow them to pursue other equally rewarding jobs.

Once you have developed the golden skills of discipline, motivation, creativity, and teamwork through dance, you will have acquired everything you need to succeed in any career path - nothing will stop you! Ready to discover which are the most popular dance-related professions?

A man with a radio
"Once you have gained the skills of discipline, motivation, and creativity, you will have acquired everything to succeed!" Source: Pexels

Professions related to dance!

  • Choreographer: Choreographers work with the corps de ballet to interpret and develop ideas and transform them into stage performances. They may be in charge of production or work together with an artistic director. Choreographers require experience, such as five or six years in dance teaching to evolve onto this professional path.
  • Dance Performer: These professionals are also known as dance artists, performing for live audiences or in recorded performances. Professional dancers perform dramatic or musical work in front of an audience. Dance performing usually involves interpreting the creation of a choreographer or sometimes requires improvisation.
  • Dance/Arts/Culture Officer: A culture officer is in charge of managing culture plan projects, from planning to coordination, evaluation, building partnerships, and delivering marketing and communications to encourage cultural engagement. Culture officers are in charge of promoting the local arts and culture community.
  • Dance Company Education Specialist: Dance education specialists are professionals who provide dance education. They are in charge of running workshops and performance projects for dance companies or organizations. Professional dancers can develop teaching and project coordination skills to take on an education role in dance companies.
  • Community dance practitioners: These dance professionals work in community settings, creating opportunities for people to access quality experiences in dance no matter their age, gender, sexuality, race, disability, or economic situation. For example, the Lozinski Centre for Community Dance at Canada's National Ballet School invites all Canadians to be part of dance communities.
  • Dance Researcher: A dance scientist conducts research on how to improve a dancer's well-being using various scientific disciplines such as anatomy, physiology, psychology, biomechanics, and the practical application of scientific principles to dance. Their objective is the enhancement of performance and the improvement of well-being and health.
  • Dance Producer: A dance producer works with dance organizations to ensure that productions happen on time and within budget. Dance producers find the financial, practical, artistic, and technical resources to realize the artist's vision. If you want to work as a dance producer, it is best to understand the work and have a shared vision with the artists.
  • Dance teachers: Also called dance instructors, these professionals teach students various dance styles and techniques from beginner to advanced levels. Dance teachers are professionally trained in one or more disciplines and typically can work at dance academies, dance studios, and community centers.

Whether you decide to become a professional dancer or pursue a career as a dance producer or whatever comes to your mind, dance offers many promising job opportunities for those passionate about this fascinating art!

Learn more about the Salary expectations for professional dancers in Canada.

Can a professional dancer be a job?

Of course, being a professional dancer is a job! Being a professional dancer takes hard work, knowledge, practice, and finding the right connections. However, when you are willing to work in the artistic field, such as dancing, this can become more challenging due to the demand and competition. And since this can be discouraging, only some dancers reach the professional level of an artistic discipline. But don't be discouraged. If dancing is your passion, it will be worth it! 

Let's get to know some responsibilities of a professional dancer that can help you decide if you are ready to be part of this artistic field. Some duties that professional dancers have are:

  • Spending time rehearsing for performances or musical productions, including opera, musical theater, ballet, and concerts;
  • Maintaining high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness;
  • Attending and preparing for auditions for dance roles or membership in dance companies;
  • Studying different dance styles to allow versatility in the translation of movement and choreography;
  • Acquiring other performing skills, such as acting or singing, to gain the flexibility to adapt to various roles, genres, techniques, and styles.

Discover How long it takes to be a professional dancer in Canada.

Kids doing ballet dance
"Being a professional dancer takes hard work, knowledge, practice, and finding the right connections." Source: Pexels
The best Dance tutors available
Becah
5
5 (11 reviews)
Becah
$60
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Onton
5
5 (10 reviews)
Onton
$75
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Mika and kaia
5
5 (12 reviews)
Mika and kaia
$150
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Oxana
5
5 (12 reviews)
Oxana
$130
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Sujaya
4.9
4.9 (24 reviews)
Sujaya
$20
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Drishti
5
5 (7 reviews)
Drishti
$25
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Anja
5
5 (7 reviews)
Anja
$25
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Aayushi
5
5 (6 reviews)
Aayushi
$60
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Becah
5
5 (11 reviews)
Becah
$60
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Onton
5
5 (10 reviews)
Onton
$75
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Mika and kaia
5
5 (12 reviews)
Mika and kaia
$150
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Oxana
5
5 (12 reviews)
Oxana
$130
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Sujaya
4.9
4.9 (24 reviews)
Sujaya
$20
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Drishti
5
5 (7 reviews)
Drishti
$25
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Anja
5
5 (7 reviews)
Anja
$25
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Aayushi
5
5 (6 reviews)
Aayushi
$60
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Let's go

Is it hard to find a job as a dancer?

Finding a job as a professional dancer in Canada can be competitive; however, dancers do not only work in famous academies. Professional dancers can also perform in the following:

  • Contemporary, institutional, and independent dance companies where professional dancers can interpret various choreographic styles in musical or theatrical shows or even participate in developing the dance performance.
  • Cultural spaces, theater, cinema, media, and dance schools. Here the professional dancers can participate as creators of artistic projects, as choreographers or directors. Or even be responsible for the show's production.
  • Educational institutions, where professional dancers can work on teaching dance. Also, they can be part of the juries in stage projects, festivals, and competitions.

Also, remember that dancers' careers extend far beyond performing, as some dance graduates use their knowledge of the art world to work in arts management or administration, running the operations, finance, or marketing arms of existing arts organizations. They may even work in the press or create and manage websites for arts or dance organizations.

One remarkable thing is that performance jobs value experience and training over diplomas; however, getting a degree will always increase your dancer skills, expertise, and networking. Learn more about the Training needed to become a professional dancer in Canada!

How to make money as a dancer?

If you are curious about how much a dancer earns, you must know that these professionals earn an average salary of $56,000 annually in Canada. Entry-level dance positions can start at $45,000 annually, while most experienced professional dancers can make up to $65,000 annually.

However, some factors influencing your future salary will depend on your chosen profession. For example, if you are a choreographer, your income will vary from if you decide to teach dance lessons. Other factors that could influence your income that you need to consider are:

  • Your level of education (e.g., whether you have completed postgraduate studies).
  • The sector in which you find work
  • The size and type of company
  • Other work experience you may have accumulated
  • Other skills you may have, such as musical knowledge or if you play any instrument
  • The region in which you work in Canada

Do you want to learn more about dance?

If you are interested in learning more about dance, the different career paths for professional dancers, or becoming an expert in any dance technique, have you ever considered taking private dance courses? Give it a shot with Superprof! Finding a good private dance teacher is the key to venturing into this artistic sector.

Enjoy your art and passion with Superprof! On Superprof's online platform, you can find the best private teachers and classes to make you the best dancer in ballet, folkloric dance, salsa, urban dance, or every type of dance you can imagine! You can also choose whether to take private classes in person or online or if you are interested in group classes.

But how do you find your ideal tutor? Go to Superprof Canada and type in that you want to learn "Dance." Remember to select your location to find the private tutor closest to you.

Navigating the platform is super easy, and you will be able to choose the tutor that teaches the type of dance that suits you best and the best pocket-friendly classes. With Superprof, you can even get your first session free to meet your tutor! Just select "Book a lesson," and that's it!

Welcome to the global Superprof family!

Dance coach and student
"Find the best private dance instructors to make you the best in ballet, folkloric dance, salsa, or everything you want." Source: Pexels

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Ana Gabriela

Hello! I am Ana, originally from Mexico and living in Paris. I am a freelance writer with three years of experience creating content for education, tech, and health :)