Professional dancers tell stories or express emotions using rhythm and movement. They perform as part of a group, or sometimes solo, and usually specialise in one style of dance. They may dance in front of a live audience or in recorded performances.
Professional dancers work in a variety of styles which include:
You could be:
The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates vary considerably depending on:
Equity (the performers' union) negotiates minimum wage rates for ballet and dance artists annually. You will find rates on the Equity website. They can vary depending on whether the work is for a rehearsal or performance, the style of dance and the medium (for example theatre or television).
UK Theatre website currently publishes recommended rates for Ballet dancers at a minimum of £400 per week. (UKTheatre/SOLT/Equity – Ballet Agreement Rates 30th September 2019-4th October 2020.)
Teachers of dance can charge freelance rates of between £10.00 to £30.00 per hour or between £80 to £160 a day.
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You should have:
You should also be:
Project Y is Scotland's Contemporary Youth Dance Company. They offer a free one-week course (for ages 12-18) and a four-week programme (for ages 16-21) for young dancers who want to experience what it is like to work for a professional dance company. Horizons is a free Glasgow based integrated youth dance company for dancers aged 12 to 19, with and without disabilities. Visit the YDance website for more information.
Young Scot and Creative Scotland operate the 'Nurturing Talent - Time to Shine Fund', which aims to support young people aged 11-25 and interested in developing creative or artistic skills. Both individuals and groups can apply for funding up to £1,000. For more information see the Young Scot website.
Courtesy of Sara Mearns
The following organisations may be able to provide further information.
British Ballet Organisation (BBO)
Tel: 020 8748 1241
E-mail:
info@bbo.dance
Website:
http://www.bbo.dance
Twitter:
@bbodance
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/bbodance/
British Theatre Dance Association (BTDA)
Tel: 0116 397 0866
E-mail:
info@btda.org.uk
Website:
http://www.btda.org.uk
Twitter:
@BTDAdance
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/British-Theatre-Dance-Association-1501833233450091/
Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT)
Tel: 020 7240 5703
E-mail:
info@cdmt.org.uk
Website:
http://www.cdmt.org.uk/
Twitter:
@CDMTorg
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CDMTuk/
Creative and Cultural Skills
Tel: 020 7015 1800
Website:
http://www.ccskills.org.uk/
Twitter:
@CCskills
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ccskills
Creative and Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for advertising, crafts, cultural heritage, design, music, performing, literary and visual arts.
Creative Scotland
E-mail:
enquiries@creativescotland.com
Website:
http://www.creativescotland.com/
Website (2):
http://opportunities.creativescotland.com/
Twitter:
@CreativeScots
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland
Equity
Tel: 020 7379 6000
E-mail:
info@equity.org.uk
Website:
http://www.equity.org.uk/
Twitter:
@EquityUK
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/EquityUK
Membership of Equity is open not just those in the acting profession but to anyone working professionally in the field of entertainment.
One Dance UK
Tel: 020 7713 0730
E-mail:
info@onedanceuk.org
Website:
http://www.onedanceuk.org
Twitter:
@onedanceuk
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/onedanceuk
Royal Academy of Dance (RAD)
Tel: 020 7326 8000
E-mail:
info@rad.org.uk
Website:
http://www.rad.org.uk/
Twitter:
@RADheadquarters
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/RoyalAcademyofDance
Royal Ballet School
Tel: 020 7836 8899
E-mail:
enquiries@royalballetschool.co.uk
Website:
http://www.royalballetschool.org.uk/
Twitter:
@RoyalBalletSch
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/royal.ballet.school/
Scottish Ballet
Tel: 0141 331 2931
E-mail:
feedback@scottishballet.co.uk
Website:
http://www.scottishballet.co.uk
Twitter:
@scottishballet
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/scottishballethq/
YDance (Scottish Youth Dance)
Tel: 0141 552 7712
E-mail:
info@ydance.org
Website:
http://www.ydance.org
Twitter:
@YDanceScotland
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/YDanceScotland
YDance is the National Youth Dance Agency for Scotland.