Dance To Live
They glided around the ballroom with poise and grace, floating around on a cloud- the romance of an oft read fairytale come alive. It was enthralling. Watching them was like viewing sheer poetry in motion as they twirled around the dance floor. Matching step for step. In tune with each other. The ease of a long rapport, as dance partners, very evident in their body language. Be it the western waltz, the jiffy jive or the spicy salsa.
Indeed Dancing is about two people communicating with their bodies and responding to each other's movements- the hidden language of the soul of the body- the landscape of a man's soul- a song of the body- either of joy or pain.
As a dancer, you would use movement to interpret music, tell stories and express emotion. Dancing is life itself. And, no couple I’ve seen till date, epitomizes all this like Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler do. Ok let’s stop going oh-ah and get back to earth from fairyland.
If you’re watching them on Strictly Come Dancing, this couple will surely inspire you to start learning to dance either as a hobby or professionally.
Agreed that ballroom dancing is a zara hatke career, but it’s a lucrative one. So why not make a start with ballroom dancing. With more and more people taking up ballroom dancing as a hobby, there has never been a better time to learn, and who knows, you too could be dancing your way to the top. You might also combine performing with other activities such as teaching, choreography, community dance, or arts administration.
Welcome To the Ballroom
Ballroom dancing is fun, sometimes sophisticated, sometimes exhilarating and always rewarding! There is a very classic element to ballroom that could be said to never change, however, the ballroom dances themselves are always changing and adding new variations and steps to the timeless classics. The Waltz is considered a 19th century ballroom classic, while the Fox Trot, Tango and Two-Step followed in the 20th century.
The Ever Greens are • Fox Trot • Quick Step • Waltz. The More Challenging Favorites are the • Viennese Waltz • Ballroom Tango • Argentine Tango. While in the Latin American section are the • Jive/Rock & Roll • Cha Cha Cha • Samba
• Rumba • Salsa• Merengue • Mambo • Passo Doble
You Can Dance
If you think you don't have the typical "dancer's body," think again. Get the thought of a perfect body out of your mind; there is no such thing in the realm of ballroom dance.
Ballroom dance is concerned more with the moves of the dancers and their ability to communicate with each other through their bodies. A healthy body and mind is what you will achieve through your goals to become a dancer and this will just come naturally from your exertions. Dance is of course not for anybody who is severely out of shape, but you will build on your stamina over your course of training and you will become a healthy machine capable of lasting long periods on the dance floor. The body comes with the practice, so this should in no way be an impediment to anyone’s dreams of being a dancer.
Formal Training
Many professional dancers train at a vocational dance school, with an intensive three-year degree or diploma or a one-year postgraduate course in professional dance or musical theatre. To get onto a three-year professional degree/diploma you must pass an audition. Some dance schools also ask for A levels or equivalent (such as a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts – Dance), although academic qualifications may not be essential if you show enough talent at audition.
For a postgraduate course, you will need a dance-related degree. You should check exact entry requirements with each dance school. Several universities also offer degrees in dance, although some focus on dance administration or development rather than performance. For a university dance degree, you will usually need two A levels or equivalent qualifications. You may also need to pass a dance audition. Check exact entry requirements with course providers. It is also be a good idea to join a local dance company to build your experience of performing.
As a working dancer, you will develop your skills and experience through ongoing rehearsing and performing. You will need to take dance classes to maintain and improve your skills throughout your career, even when you are not in work. Dance schools in Mumbai and throughout the UK offer professional courses and workshops –You could also improve your employment prospects by taking acting or singing classes.
Prospects
Employment of dancers and choreographers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2014.
Opera companies and dance groups affiliated with colleges and universities and with television and motion pictures also will offer some opportunities. Moreover, the growing popularity of dance for recreational and fitness purposes has resulted in increased opportunities to teach dance. Finally, music video channels will provide opportunities for both dancers and choreographers.
Some professional dancers today have never won a dancing competition. There are different levels of being a professional dancer. Professional dancers range from competition winners, to commercial stars, to instructors and most of them will transfer into these different areas over their lifetime of dance. You will not have to stay in any one area once you choose to go down a certain path. There is plenty of room to change around into different areas of this profession.
You may find it useful to train in other areas and to help supplement your income or to build a second career when you are no longer performing. Popular areas include:
* choreography
* dance teaching
* dance administration and management
* complementary therapies such as Pilates, massage or Alexander Technique
* yoga or fitness teaching
* dance movement therapy.
Significant Points:
* Many dancers stop performing by their late thirties, but some remain in the field as choreographers, dance teachers, or artistic directors.
* Most dancers begin formal training at an early age—between 5 and 15—and many have their first professional audition by age 17 or 18.
* Dancers and choreographers face intense competition; only the most talented find regular work.
Nature of Work
Many dancers combine performance work with teaching or choreography.
Dancers perform in a variety of settings, such as musical productions, and may present folk, ethnic, tap, jazz, and other popular kinds of dance. They also perform in opera, musical theater, television, movies, music videos, and commercials, in which they also may sing and act. Dancers most often perform as part of a group, although a few top artists perform solo. Dancers work with choreographers, who create original dances and develop new interpretations of existing dances. Because few dance routines are written down, choreographers instruct performers at rehearsals to achieve the desired effect. In addition, choreographers usually are involved in auditioning performers.
Working Conditions
Dance is strenuous. Many dancers stop performing by their late thirties because of the physical demands on the body. However, some continue to work in the field as choreographers, dance teachers and coaches, or artistic directors. Others move into administrative positions, such as company managers. A few celebrated dancers, however, continue performing even beyond the age of 50.
It is true that not everyone capable of being a world-class professional ballroom dancer will be able to make a living completely from their dancing. However, if you are also willing to dance professionally in commercial setting and even teach dance to adults, teens or even children, your chances of making this into a solid career have now tripled if not quadrupled.
Some professional dancers today have never won a dancing competition. There are different levels of being a professional dancer. Professional dancers range from competition winners, to commercial stars, to instructors and most of them will transfer into these different areas over their lifetime of dance. You will not have to stay in any one area once you choose to go down a certain path. There is plenty of room to change around into different areas of this profession.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Training varies with the type of dance and is a continuous part of all dancers’ careers. Many dancers and dance instructors believe that dancers should start with a good foundation in classical technique before selecting a particular dance style. Training varies with the type of dance and is a continuous part of all dancers’ careers. Many dancers and dance instructors believe that dancers should start with a good foundation in classical dance before selecting a particular dance style. Serious training traditionally begins between the ages of 10 and 12. Students who demonstrate potential in their early teens may seek out more intensive and advanced professional training.
At about this time, students should begin to focus their training on a particular style and decide whether to pursue additional training through a dance company, school or a college dance programme. Many dancers have their first professional auditions by age 17 or 18.
Training is an important component of professional dancers’ careers. Dancers normally spend 8 hours a day in class and rehearsal, keeping their bodies in shape and preparing for performances. Their daily training period includes time to warm up and cool down before and after classes and rehearsals.
Daily rehearsals require very long hours. Many dance companies tour for part of the year to supplement a limited performance schedule at home. Dancers who perform in musical productions and other family entertainment spend much of their time on the road; Most dance performances are in the evening, whereas rehearsals and practice take place during the day. As a result, dancers often work very long and late hours. Generally, dancers and choreographers work in modern and temperature-controlled facilities; however, some studios may be older and less comfortable.
Because of the strenuous and time-consuming training required, some dancers view formal education as secondary. However, a broad, general education including music, literature, history, and the visual arts is helpful in the interpretation of dramatic episodes, ideas, and feelings. Dancers sometimes conduct research to learn more about the part they are playing.
Academic Education
Many colleges and universities award a Bachelor or Masters degrees in dance, typically through departments of dance, theater, or fine arts. Many programmes concentrate on modern dance, but some also offer courses in jazz, culturally specific, ballet, or classical techniques; dance composition, history, and criticism; and movement analysis.
A college education is not essential to obtaining employment as a professional dancer; however, many dancers obtain degrees in unrelated fields to prepare themselves for careers after dance. The completion of a college programme in dance and education is essential to qualify to teach dance in college, high school, or elementary school or choreography.
Personal Attributes
Because of the rigorous practice schedules of most dancers, self-discipline, patience, perseverance, and a devotion to dance are essential for success in the field. Dancers also must possess good problem-solving skills and an ability to work with people. Good health and physical stamina also are necessary attributes. Above all, dancers must have flexibility, agility, coordination, and grace, a sense of rhythm, a feeling for music, and a creative ability to express themselves through movement.
Creative Pursuit
Because dancers typically perform as members of an ensemble made up of other dancers, musicians, and directors or choreographers, they must be able to function as part of a team. They also should be highly motivated and prepared to face the anxiety of intermittent employment and rejections when auditioning for work. For dancers, advancement takes the form of a growing reputation, more frequent work, bigger and better roles, and higher pay. Some dancers may take on added responsibilities, such as by becoming a dance captain in musical theater or s in concert dance companies, by leading rehearsals, or by working with less experienced dancers in the absence of the choreographer. Choreographers typically are experienced dancers with years of practice working in the theater. Through their performance as dancers, they develop reputations that often lead to opportunities to choreograph productions.
Study Here
1. Club Semley Dance Academy
1 Semley Road
Norbury, SW16 4PS
Phone: 00 + 44 + 0790 305 0063.
United Kingdom
Website: www.clubsemleydance.co.uk
2. J.J. Rodriguez Cours De Danse
Sethna House, 1st Floor,
J.A. Allana Marg,
Opp. Electric House, Colaba
Mumbai - 400001, India
Tel : 022-22841201 or 022- 22820303
3. Fatimas Ballroom Dance Classes
Behind Kunde Petrol Pump, Margao, Goa – 403601
Tel : 0832-2786191 Mobile: 9850454353
4. Shiamak Davar's Institute for the Performing Arts
c/o Shiamak Davar's Media & Entertainment (P) Ltd.
Head Office - Mumbai
Davar's College of Commerce - SSS,
3rd Floor, Rear Entrance,
Mulla House, 51 M.G. Road
Fort, Mumbai 400 001.
India
Tel: + 91- 022 -240182000
Email: dance@shiamak.com
5. James & Ola Jordan
P.O.Box 394
Medway Valley
Kent
ME6 9FU
P.O.Box 394
Medway Valley
Kent
ME6 9FU
6. The Goodman Dance Centre
by Len Goodman
Professional Dance Judge
(Dancing School)
3 Market Street
Dartford
Kent
DA1 1EY
UK
Phone: +44 (0)1322-222508
Professional Dance Judge
(Dancing School)
3 Market Street
Dartford
Kent
DA1 1EY
UK
Phone: +44 (0)1322-222508
7. Dance Illusions
Dr Martin D’ Costa
Flintstone, Chicalim, Vasco Da Gama, Goa - 403802
Tel:+(91)-9823014397
Email: goadancesport@rediffmail.com
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