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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Create a Dance Resume
in 5 Simple Steps

  • Step 1: Add Contact Info

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  • Step 2: Include Work Experience Details

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  • Step 3: Provide Education Details

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  • Step 4: Select Your Skills

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  • Step 5: Fill in Your Background

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Get Expert Writing Recommendations for Your Dance Resume

LiveCareer’s Resumes Builder is a great tool for anyone seeking a job in the dance field. Our builder helps you write a resume that will get noticed by recommending industry-specific text suggestions that will get the attention of hiring managers. Here are a few examples of our resume builder might recommend for your dance resume:

  • Easily learned choreography and incorporated changes to routines.
  • Developed professional relationships with dancers, choreographers and others through active listening and effective communication.
  • Planned and oversaw group, couples and individual dance lessons.
  • Participated in workshops to learn new skills and stay current with latest techniques.
  • Collaborated with directors, producers, writing staff and performance teams.

7 Do’s and Don’ts for Writing a Dance Resume

  • Do focus on essentials. When you have danced for several years, it’s tempting to include every role you have performed. However, your dance resume will be more powerful if you only include relevant or high-profile roles.
  • Do highlight pedigree. If you are an accomplished dancer, include your most impressive summer programs, classes and workshops and leave off less prestigious programs. Emphasizing dance or choreography awards and scholarships will also help your resume stand out in a competitive job field.
  • Do add photos. Unlike other fields, adding photos to your resume can help your application stand out to directors or casting agents. Consider including a thumbnail headshot or dance shot in the corner of your resume along witha full headshot stapled to the back of your resume.
  • Do include your academics. Even the most experienced dancer or instructor should include their college degree or coursework, if applicable. If you did not attend college, list your high school education.
  • Don’t leave unexplained career gaps. Omitting one to two years of experience can become a red flag if left unexplained, leaving directors or casting agents to wonder why you were out of work. If you have employment gaps in your background, consider a functional resume format.
  • Don’t forget to customize for the position. There are countless dance careers across multiple industries, so it’s imperative that your resume is specific to the industry and job title you seek. For example, if you are applying for a dance instructor position, highlight your teaching experience at the top of your resume. However, if you are applying to be a background dancer, your resume shouldn’t focus on your experience as a children’s ballet instructor.
  • Don’t skip proofreading. Forgetting to proofread is one of the quickest ways to find your resume in the “face-down” pile . A resume that is free of spelling and grammatical errors proves that you are conscientious.

Consider These Skills for Your Dance Resume

In the dance field, applicants must learn to overcome the challenge of applicant tracking systems (ATS). An ATS automatically scans resumes for keywords and phrases to help recruiters screen out candidates.

While smaller dance studios and companies probably won’t use an ATS, larger and nationally known organizations like the American Ballet Theatre may use them to eliminate candidates with missing keywords. Our resume builder aids job seekers by suggesting optimized skill sets that are easily tracked by an ATS.

Here are some examples of the dance-specific details LiveCareer’s Resume Builder might suggest:

  • Builds strong relationships and rapport.
  • Choreographed music concerts.
  • Trained in ballet techniques.
  • Understands costuming
  • Teaches contemporary dance.
  • Studied performance optimization.
  • Leads group and individual instruction.
  • Studied tap and jazz.
  • Teaches audition preparation.
  • Experienced with project management.
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Dance Resumes for Every Professional Level

Entry-Level
Dance Student Resume Format Build my Resume

Dance Student

This current dance student doesn’t have much professional experience. Because of this, the job seeker uses a functional resume format to focus attention on his skills and qualifications to prove he will be an asset to the team. He highlights his key skills, such as teamwork, creativity and leadership, and accompanies these proficiencies with real-life examples of how he’s utilized these skills in the past. The job seeker also includes a well-written Professional Summary to further emphasize his qualifications.

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Mid-Career
Background Dancer Resume Example Build my Resume

Background Dancer

This candidate, who is seeking a position as a background dancer, highlights his years of experience using a combination resume format, which allows him to emphasize a few key positions along with his skills and qualifications. This format allows him to show off both a strong skill set and an impressive career trajectory. A succinct Professional Summary efficiently summarizes his work history and encourages the recruiter to continue reading.

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Executive-Level
Dance Instructor Resume Example Build my Resume

Dance Instructor

Since highly experienced dancers don’t have the room to list every position and skill they have acquired, their resumes should focus on career trajectory. This candidate leads with an attention-grabbing Professional Summary that demonstrates self-assurance and highlights abilities in a succinct manner. Most of the document recounts the applicant’s work experience and accomplishments, however. By using the chronological resume format, the focus is on the applicant’s previous job positions that most closely align with the open position, building a strong case for the candidate’s suitability.

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More Dance Resume Samples

Find resume examples for your desired dance career. Get access to expert writing recommendations, do’s and don’ts and everything you need to write a perfect resume.

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Resume Success Stories

Statistics and Facts About Dance Jobs

Median Hourly Wages for Dancers in the 3 Most Popular Dance Industries

Educational Services (state, local and private)$25.59
Performing Arts Companies$17.89
Spectator Sports$15.14
0K 20K 40K

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Best-Paying States for Choreographers and Average Annual Salaries

Best Paying States For Choreographers Mobile

Source: U.S. News and World Report

Job Outlook by Job Title (2016–2026)

National workforce7.4% growth
Dancers and choreographers3.92% growth
0% 10%

Source: DataUSA

Number of Employed Dancers by State

Number Of Employed Dancers By State Mobile

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Number of Employed Choreographers by State

Number Of Employed Choreographers By State Mobile

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Most Common Race or Ethnicity for Dancers and Choreographers

White66.7%
Black16.6%
Two or more races8.52%
Asian2.23%
Other5.95%
0% 50% 100%

Source: DataUSA

Popular Industries for Dancers and Choreographers and Numbers Employed

  • Performing Arts Companies: 3,790
  • Museums and Historical Sites: 160
  • Schools: 1,010
  • Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools: 100
  • Spectator Sports: 820
  • Travel and Reservation Services: 80
  • Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports and Similar Events: 240
  • Elementary and Secondary Schools: 50
  • Independent Artists, Writers and Performers: 240

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Gender Composition of Dance Careers

Female 79.4%

Male 20.6%

Source: DataUSA

Popular Dance Job Titles

  • Ballerina (female)
  • Artistic Director
  • Soloist
  • Ballet Director
  • Company
  • Dance Director
  • Ballet Dancer (male)
  • Musical Choreographer

Source: O*Net

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