Dancers

Overview

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Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Examples

These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.

Perform dances. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for video recording.

Hourly Salary

High: $48.76
Median: $18.58
Low: $11.68

Demand

Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend

Core Tasks

  • Prepare pointe shoes, by sewing or other means, for use in rehearsals and performance.
  • Study and practice dance moves required in roles.
  • Harmonize body movements to rhythm of musical accompaniment.
  • Coordinate dancing with that of partners or dance ensembles.
  • Perform in productions, singing or acting in addition to dancing, if required.
  • Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.
  • Collaborate with choreographers to refine or modify dance steps.
  • Develop self-understanding of physical capabilities and limitations, and choose dance styles accordingly.
  • Perform classical, modern, or acrobatic dances in productions, expressing stories, rhythm, and sound with their bodies.
  • Audition for dance roles or for membership in dance companies.
  • Attend costume fittings, photography sessions, and makeup calls associated with dance performances.
  • Monitor the field of dance to remain aware of current trends and innovations.
  • Teach dance students.
  • Devise and choreograph dance for self or others.

Technology Skills

Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Filesystem software
Samba
Graphics or photo imaging software
Adobe Photoshop
Information retrieval or search software
Pinterest
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office software
Video creation and editing software
YouTube
Web page creation and editing software
Facebook

Tools Used

Tool
Example
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Laptop computers
Consumer electronics
Multi-speaker stereo systems
Fitness equipment
Balance balls
Footwear
Men's hip hop dance shoes
Gymnastics and boxing equipment
Dance barres

Top 10 Knowledge Required

Fine Arts
90%
Importance

Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

English Language
71%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Customer and Personal Service
59%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Mathematics
52%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Transportation
51%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Psychology
50%
Importance

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Sales and Marketing
50%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Therapy and Counseling
49%
Importance

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Education and Training
48%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Sociology and Anthropology
47%
Importance

Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.

Top 10 Skills

Active Listening
65%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Coordination
60%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Critical Thinking
60%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Monitoring
58%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Social Perceptiveness
58%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Speaking
58%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Time Management
58%
Importance

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Active Learning
55%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Reading Comprehension
55%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Service Orientation
55%
Importance

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Top 10 Abilities

Gross Body Coordination
95%
Importance

The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.

Extent Flexibility
90%
Importance

The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

Dynamic Strength
85%
Importance

The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.

Stamina
85%
Importance

The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.

Trunk Strength
83%
Importance

The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

Gross Body Equilibrium
80%
Importance

The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

Dynamic Flexibility
73%
Importance

The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with your body, arms, and/or legs.

Multilimb Coordination
73%
Importance

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

Static Strength
73%
Importance

The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

Oral Comprehension
70%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Top 10 Work Activities

Performing General Physical Activities
91%
Importance

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Getting Information
82%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
79%
Importance

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
72%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Thinking Creatively
67%
Importance

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
65%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
62%
Importance

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
61%
Importance

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Developing and Building Teams
56%
Importance

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Handling and Moving Objects
52%
Importance

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Practice athletic or artistic skills.
  • Perform dances.
  • Audition for roles.
  • Review production information to determine costume or makeup requirements.
  • Stay informed about current developments in field of specialization.
  • Monitor current trends.
  • Sew clothing or other articles.
  • Repair textiles or apparel.
  • Entertain public with comedic or dramatic performances.
  • Train others on performance techniques.
  • Choreograph dances.

Education

Interests

Artistic
91%
Importance

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Realistic
69%
Importance

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Social
53%
Importance

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Enterprising
47%
Importance

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Conventional
24%
Importance

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Investigative
20%
Importance

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Work Values

Achievement
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Relationships
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Recognition
58%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Working Conditions
58%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Independence
53%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Support
43%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.