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Performing Arts is a source of inner feelings and emotions, expresses ideas, and brings social issues to the public eye. So, if you get an adrenaline buzz from being on stage, performing, and dancing, then a degree in Performing Arts can be the perfect way to develop your skills and build your confidence. With the growing demand for all-rounders, the world recognises highly valued performers who are skilful in singing, acting, and dancing.
But nothing comes easy! To produce a piece of art of any form, you need extensive practice, hard work, and guidance. To help you prepare in varied styles and tones, we have come up with some specialised courses that will fit your interests and help you build a rewarding career in Dancing.
This Blog Includes:
Is Dance a Good Career Option?
Imbued with aesthetics and symbolism, dance is an art form that involves movements and steps to express and demonstrate a culture and art form. It is considered an expression of pleasure and joy when performed in a social setting. Dance can also be seen as a theatrical form of art where there is an elaborate choreography followed by planning on multiple levels, such as costume design, stage design, scenery, and many others, to create a production. Therefore, to make a career in dancing, you can learn a particular form and master it.
You can definitely opt for Indian dance forms like Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Bihu, Kathakali, Kalbeliya, Ghoomar, Garba, Bhangra, etc., or if you are intrigued by the international culture, then you go for Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Highland Dancing, Line Dancing and Irish Dancing. Apart from following particular dance forms, formal education can readily add to your expanding skill set and broaden your career choices.
Courses for a Career in Dancing
Dance is more than just movement; it is an expression of emotion, a language of the soul, and for many, a lifelong passion. If your heart beats to the rhythm of music and the stage feels like home, a career in dancing could be a perfect choice for you. Moreover, students get an opportunity to gather practical experience along with learning about contemporary dance trends, choreography, movement analysis, rhythm and dynamics, ballet, jazz, dance history, and composition.
Those planning to go for a graduate degree can choose to pursue MFA programs in dance. The program allows them to study advanced dance theory and performing arts in their chosen dance style under the mentorship of a highly skilled faculty. So, if you’re interested in learning such courses, we have listed various degree courses in dancing at different academic levels:
| Education Level | Courses in Dancing |
| Diploma | Diploma in Dance Performing Arts Diploma in Dance Education Diploma in Dance Certificate Course in Dance Performance Diploma in Fine Arts |
| Bachelor’s Level | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Performance Studies Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance Bachelor of Arts in Dance Bachelor of Science in Dance Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Movement Studies |
| Master’s Level | Master of Fine Arts in Choreographic Inquiry Master of Fine Arts in Dance: Embodied Interdisciplinary Praxis Master of Fine Arts in Dance Master of Arts in Dance Education: Teaching Dance in the Professions and ABT Ballet Pedagogy Master of Arts in Teaching Dance in Professions Master of Fine Arts in Dance MA in Teaching Dance, All Grades, Initial Certification Master of Arts in Teaching Dance, Grades K-12, Initial Certification Master of Arts in Teaching Dance, Grades K-12, Professional Certification Master of Fine Arts (Dance) (Research) Master of Education (M.Ed.) Certification, Pre K-12 Dance Education Masters of Education (Ed.M.) in Dance Education |
Also Read: Creative Career Options
Top Dance Schools in the World
Dance is a field where your finesse has the most crucial role to play in terms of how your career flows, but getting the best mentorship in the world would expose you to the challenges that you may face and prepare you for them. Besides this, these programs prepare dancers for different types of performance settings and job roles. There are various institutes across the world designed to guide students who are interested in the field of dance for motion pictures, digital media, television, stage, and animation. Let’s take a look at some of the prominent dance schools offering excellent courses in Visual Arts and Performing Arts:
| University | QS Ranking 2026 |
| John Hopkins University | 24 |
| University of California, Berkeley | =17 |
| Columbia University | =38 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | 46 |
| Duke University | 62 |
| University of Michigan | 45 |
| Northwestern University | =42 |
| University of Washington | 81 |
| New York University | 55 |
| The University of Edinburgh | 34 |
| The University of Melbourne | 19 |
| University of Texas at Austin | 68 |
| Utrecht University | =103 |
| Queensland University of Technology | 226 |
| University of Auckland | 65 |
| Royal Holloway University of London | =461 |
| University of Surrey | =262 |
Top Schools for a Career in Dance in India
Apart from these, here are the top Indian dance schools that you can explore if you are planning to learn dancing in India:
- Sangeet Natak Akademi
- Benaras Hindu University
- Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore
- Nalanda Dance Research Centre
- Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore
- Bharathiar Palkalaikoodam, Puducherry
- Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Delhi
Dance Careers and Salaries
A career in Dancing opens up the opportunity to perform in a live setup or work in domains like choreography or teaching. Sometimes, you can find a profession in the Performing Arts and theatre or simply choose to become a YouTuber or a social media influencer. Here are some ideas to consider:
| Job Profile | Description | Salaries |
| Dance Teacher | You can either choose to start your own dance company or simply work at a local theatre group for plays or musicals, or as a choreographer for commercial work. | INR 6,50,000 |
| Choreographer | You can either choose to start your own dance company or simply work at a local theatre group for plays or musicals or as a choreographer for commercial work. | INR 4,00,000 |
| Work in Arts Administration | Teaching at a studio or public school system with a Master’s degree or any other qualification is one of the most popular career choices. It is interesting to know that the field of dancing would not exist without dance teachers. | INR 7,00,000 |
| Yoga or Pilates Instructor | With kinaesthetic knowledge, Pilates mat and apparatus training offer wonderful careers and additional income to full-time dancers. This is best for those who wish to transition into a field that is gentler on their body while keeping them physically active at the same time. | INR 5,00,000 |
| Marketing for Dancers | If you desire a less physically active career in Dancing, you can shift to a desk job; schedule meetings, shows or rehearsals and organize fundraisers and budgetary finances. | INR 10,45,000 |
| Dance Photographer or Videographer | Being a dancer, you can become aware of different movements; therefore, photography can be easier to give you an edge to predict video framing and great photo movements. | INR 3,40,000 |
| Costume or Clothing Designer | With an academic degree program along with extensive training, and a wide range of kinesiology and anatomy knowledge, graduates can choose to work as physical therapists. | INR 5,00,000 |
| Physical Therapist or Dance Medicine Specialist | Professionals can become graphic designers or work closely in arts administration for a company. You will be actively engaged in crafting web pages, promotional materials, flyers, or promoting an event through social media. | INR 4,00,000 |
Popular Forms of Dance
There are numerous forms of Dance in India and abroad. Check out the popular forms of Dance globally:
- Classical Dance: Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, etc.
- Western Dance: Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip-Hop
- Street Styles: Popping, Locking, Krumping, Breakdance
- Latin Dance: Salsa, Bachata, Tango
- Fusion & Freestyle
- Bollywood Dance.
Career in Ballet Dancing
Ballet is one of the most beautiful forms of dance. Popular all around the corners of the world. Ballet is a form that tells a story through dance. It originated in the Italian Renaissance in the fifteenth century. It was initially popular in Russia and France.
Career in Ballroom Dancing
Ballroom dancing is one of the elegant forms of dancing. Ballroom dancing is one of the oldest forms and is still practised today at social events and competitions. Ballroom dancing is a couple’s dance and will require two people to dance together.
Career in Kathak Dance
When it comes to dancing, India is home to some of the unique dance forms. In every state, you can find different folk dances. Like in Punjab, Bhangra is famous and Kathak from the god’s Own Country, Kerala. It is an inspirational form of Dance inspired by Ramayana and stories from Shaiva traditions.
How to Become a Professional Dancer?
To become a professional dancer, you need to follow a few steps that help build up your career in dancing:
- Attend auditions: Participate in shows, contests, and workshops, it helps you to meet and connect with experts.
- Start practice early: Start your dance practice at an early age to build a foundation.
- Training under an expert: Join a professional dance school or a certified class to improve your dance form.
- Choose a style: You can make yourself an expert in one dance form.
- Build a portfolio: Record your performances and build an Instagram or YouTube profile to showcase your talent.
Also Read: Popular Visual Arts Courses Abroad
Average Salary for a Dancer in India
The average salary of a dancer depends on experience, skill, popularity and work type. Here we have highlighted the average income on the basis of experience level:
| Job Role | Average Starting Salary per Month | Experienced Salary Per Month |
| Dance Instructor | INR 15,000- 40,000 | INR 50,000 |
| Professional Dancer | INR 20,000- 50,000 | INR 1 Lakh |
| Choerographer | INR 25,000- 60,000 | INR 1 Lakh |
| Background Dancer (Film) | INR 3,000- 100,000 per day | INR 30,000 per day |
| Dance Therapist | INR 25,000- 60,000 | INR 1.2 Lach |
FAQs
Dancing as a career has numerous lucrative opportunities on offer! You can become a professional dancer or pursue the career path of a choreographer or dance teacher. There are numerous promising opportunities available for those passionate about dancing and performing arts, and they can explore incredible careers in the entertainment industry and the education sector.
Professional dancers commonly opt for training programs at dance schools and master their chosen dance form through diplomas as well as degree courses. A host of programs are available in dancing at diploma, bachelor’s and master’s levels, which you can choose as per your interests and preferences.
There are several career options in dancing, such as Professional Dancer, Dance Teacher, Choreographer, Dance Therapist, Dance Photographer, etc.
Related Reads
This was all about a career in Dancing. If you are passionate about this profession and want to know more about information on such professions, follow Leverage Edu.
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