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Dance Resume Examples & Templates

Looking to shine in the dance industry? Our dance resume examples showcase how to emphasize choreography, performance, and teaching skills that capture the attention of potential employers.

Gabriela Hernandez
by Gabriela Hernandez CPRW, Career Advice Writer
Last Updated: October 24, 2025

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Jin Lee

Cleveland, OH 44106
(555)555-5555
Jin.Lee@example.com

Professional Summary

Dynamic Dance professional with 9 years' experience in performance, instruction, and choreography. Proven track record of enhancing production quality by 30% and leading teams to success. Skilled in creative direction and event coordination.

Work History

Dance
Ensemble Performance Troupe - Cleveland, OH
June 2022

  • Choreographed 10 shows yearly, boosting ticket sales 20%
  • Trained a team of 15 dancers, enhancing skills by 30%
  • Performed in over 50 cities, expanding audience reach 40%

Dance Instructor
Rhythm & Motion Academy - Cincinnati, OH
May 2018 - May 2022

  • Led workshops for 200+ students, increasing satisfaction
  • Developed new curriculum, improved attendance rate by 25%
  • Coordinated events raising program visibility by 15%

Performing Arts Specialist
Creative Arts Studio - Cleveland, OH
May 2016 - April 2018

  • Designed 12 annual shows, drawing in 5,000 attendees
  • Collaborated with directors, increasing show quality 10%
  • Managed budget up to k, achieving 5% savings

Skills

  • Choreography
  • Performance Art
  • Dance Instruction
  • Creative Direction
  • Event Coordination
  • Team Leadership
  • Dance Technique
  • Stage Production

Certifications

  • Certified Dance Educator - Dance Education Organization
  • Professional Choreographer Certification - National Choreography Institute

Education

Master of Fine Arts Dance Performance
NYU Tisch School of the Arts New York, NY
May 2016

Bachelor of Arts Dance
University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
June 2014

Languages

  • Spanish - Beginner (A1)
  • French - Beginner (A1)
  • Italian - Intermediate (B1)

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How to Write a Dance Resume Summary

Your resume summary is the first thing employers will notice, so it’s important to make a positive impact right away. This section should effectively showcase your passion for dance and highlight your unique skills in choreography, performance, and teaching.

As a dancer, you should focus on emphasizing your versatility, creativity, and experience in various dance styles. Whether you are applying for a position as a performer or an instructor, conveying your dedication and expertise is essential.

To illustrate what makes an effective resume summary, consider the following examples that demonstrate both successful approaches and pitfalls to avoid:

Weak resume summary

I am a passionate dancer with many years of experience in various styles. I seek opportunities where I can showcase my skills and contribute positively to the team. A supportive environment that allows me to grow as an artist is what I desire most. I believe my energy and enthusiasm would be an asset.

Why this summary misses the mark:
  • Lacks specific mentions of dance styles or achievements, making it too vague
  • Overuses personal language and does not highlight what unique qualities the job seeker brings
  • Emphasizes personal desires rather than the value offered to potential employers

Strong resume summary

Passionate dance instructor with over 6 years of experience in teaching ballet and contemporary dance to students of all ages. Successfully increased student participation in annual performances by 30% through innovative choreography and engaging lesson plans. Proficient in using various teaching methods and technology to improve learning experiences.

Why this summary works:
  • Begins with a clear statement of experience and areas of specialization
  • Highlights a quantifiable achievement that demonstrates successful program growth
  • Includes relevant skills that align with the requirements for dance instruction roles
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PRO TIP

If you're stepping into the dance industry without extensive experience, consider using a career objective instead of a traditional summary. This approach highlights your passion and goals. Explore tailored resume objective examples specific to dance to guide you.

Showcasing Your Work Experience

The work experience section is important for your dance resume because it showcases the bulk of your accomplishments and skills. A well-structured resume template will always highlight this important area.

This section should be organized in reverse-chronological order, detailing your previous roles in the dance industry. Use bullet points to effectively convey your achievements, performances, and contributions in each position.

Now, let's look at some examples that illustrate how to present your work history in dance. These examples will highlight what captures attention and what may fall short:

Weak work experience

Dance Instructor

City Dance Academy – Los Angeles, CA

  • Taught dance classes.
  • Helped students learn routines.
  • Organized performances.
  • Assisted with class preparations.
Why this work experience section misses the mark:
  • Lacks specific details about the types of dance taught
  • Bullet points are vague and don't showcase teaching effectiveness
  • Does not highlight achievements or student progress
Strong work experience

Dance Instructor

City Arts Dance Academy – Los Angeles, CA

June 2020 - Current

  • Design and deliver engaging dance classes for diverse age groups, improving students" technique and expression
  • Organize annual dance recitals that showcase student progress, resulting in a 30% increase in audience attendance over two years
  • Mentor assistant instructors, providing guidance on lesson planning and classroom management to foster a collaborative teaching environment
Why this work experience section works:
  • Starts each bullet with effective action verbs that clearly articulate the applicant’s contributions
  • Incorporates specific metrics to illustrate achievements, making the impact tangible
  • Highlights relevant skills and mentoring roles that are important for career advancement in dance education

While your resume summary and work experience are important, don’t overlook the significance of other sections. Each part plays a role in presenting your qualifications effectively. For more detailed guidance on crafting a standout resume, check out our comprehensive guide on how to write a resume.

Top Skills to Include on Your Resume

A skills section is important for a dance resume as it provides a snapshot of your abilities to potential employers. It highlights your qualifications and showcases your readiness for various roles in the competitive dance industry.

Be sure to include a mix of hard and soft skills to make your resume stronger. Highlight technical abilities such as ballet, contemporary dance techniques, and choreography software like Final Cut Pro. You can also mention experience with stage lighting systems to showcase your versatility and performance expertise.

When discussing hard skills in dance, these include technical abilities such as body alignment, rhythm, and choreography execution that are essential for creating and performing routines.

Meanwhile, soft skills encompass creativity, teamwork, and adaptability, which are important for collaborating with others and expressing emotions through movement.

Selecting the right resume skills is important for meeting employer expectations and navigating automated screening systems. By aligning your skills with what employers are seeking, you improve your chances of making a favorable impression.

To effectively identify which resume skills to highlight, review job postings closely. They often contain valuable insights into the specific skills that recruiters and ATS are looking for, ensuring that your resume stands out in the selection process.

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PRO TIP

Improve your resume’s chances of securing an interview by using our ATS Resume Checker. It identifies over 30 common mistakes, helping your application stand out against applicant tracking systems.

10 skills that appear on successful dance resumes

Highlighting sought-after skills in your dance resume can draw the attention of hiring managers. You'll find these key abilities showcased in resume examples, giving you the tools to submit applications with greater confidence.

Here are 10 skills you might want to include in your resume if they align with your experience and job requirements:

  • 1

    Choreography

  • 2

    Stage presence

  • 3

    Physical fitness

  • 4

    Team collaboration

  • 5

    Creativity

  • 6

    Adaptability

  • 7

    Rhythmic ability

  • 8

    Interpretive skills

  • 9

    Discipline

  • 10

    Attention to detail

Based on analysis of 5,000+ dance professional resumes from 2023-2024

Resume Format Examples

Choosing the ideal resume format is important for showcasing your dance skills, experiences, and artistic journey in a way that captivates potential employers and highlights your unique talent.

Entry-Level 0 - 2 years

Functional

Focuses on skills rather than previous jobs

Functional

Best for:

Recent graduates and career changers with limited experience in dance

Mid-Career 3 - 7 years

Combination

Balances skills and work history equally

Combination

Best for:

Mid-career professionals looking to highlight their skills and growth potential

Experienced 8+ years

Chronological

Emphasizes work history in reverse order

Chronological

Best for:

Seasoned dancers with expertise in choreography and performance leadership

Dance Salaries in the Highest-Paid States

Our dance salary data is based on figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the authoritative source for employment trends and wage information nationwide.

Whether you're entering the workforce or considering a move to a new city or state, this data can help you gauge what fair compensation looks like for dances in your desired area.

California
$96,440
Washington
$87,560
New Jersey
$82,460
Massachusetts
$82,910
District of Columbia
$80,820
Maryland
$79,410
Oregon
$79,550
New York
$77,720
New Mexico
$76,030
Connecticut
$75,070
Alaska
$75,070
Rhode Island
$74,350
$0$50K$100K

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely, including a cover letter can significantly improve your application by showcasing your personality and explaining how your skills fit the role. It’s a chance to make a great first impression. If you need help crafting one, explore our comprehensive guide on how to write a cover letter or use our Cover Letter Generator for quick assistance.

When applying for jobs abroad, a CV is often required instead of a resume. A CV provides a comprehensive overview of your academic and professional history. To help you craft an effective CV, explore resources on how to write a CV that offer formatting tips. Additionally, check out our CV examples, which include sample templates tailored for international applications.

Soft skills such as creativity, teamwork, and interpersonal skills are essential in dance. They foster collaboration among dancers and improve the ability to express emotions through movement, creating a deeper connection with both fellow performers and the audience.

Highlight your transferable skills such as creativity, teamwork, and resilience when applying for dance positions. By illustrating these abilities, you demonstrate your potential to thrive in a new environment despite limited experience in the field. Share specific examples from previous roles that align with dance responsibilities, showcasing how your background prepares you for success on stage or in teaching settings.

Yes, using a cover letter template tailored for dance professionals can improve your application by providing a clear structure. This highlights relevant skills such as choreography experience and performance accolades, making it easier for hiring managers to see your qualifications at a glance.

To boost your resume's visibility on LinkedIn, it's helpful to add your resume to LinkedIn by uploading it directly to your profile. Highlight key experiences in the "About" and "Experience" sections to ensure recruiters in the dance industry can easily find talented applicants, showcasing your skills and background effectively.

About the Author

Gabriela Hernandez large profile photo

Gabriela Hernandez CPRW, Career Advice Writer

Gabriela is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. She focuses on helping job seekers improve their professional resumes to highlight their unique skills and experience. Gabriela holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Puerto Rico and offers more than four years of specialized experience helping candidates navigate the complexities of today’s online job market, with a strong focus on resume optimization and effective self-presentation.

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