8 Best Careers in Dance After Starting Late
Throughout my adolescence, the bane of my existence was that I always felt too old for everything I cared about. How can someone who has their entire life ahead of them feel old, you ask? Careers in dance seemed elusive to someone like me.
My dream had always been to reach a professional standard in a physical activity. Specifically, dance was my main interest. After a late start, however, I had to navigate a world dictated by people who started when they were five.
I never spoke to anyone directly about going professional (I was afraid to). The messages were clear, nonetheless. Starting dance late was a death sentence for hope of having any careers in dance.
While my studio was very accommodating to me, I feared what they really thought about my chances. Plus, the dance world at large was brutally ageist. Even the most ignorant layman knows dance as a career is "for" people who started as early as possible. I even learned to loathe the question of "How long have you been dancing?" as a conversation starter.
What was even more off-putting was that people in my life would suggest careers for me that involved no dancing whatsoever. Among these was watching the "real" professionals dance and writing columns about it. Another idea was holding a backstage or administrative position for a local professional company.
Coming from a place of starting dance late made me hate these ideas all the more. They just all felt like a "nice" way of saying, "Sorry, you're not talented enough (or you started too late). But this could really be a great consolation prize!"
It's not all about dancing for big name ballet companies. This could be you if you dare carve your own path with some alternative careers in dance!
Careers in Dance are Limited but not Elusive
Don't misunderstand me. I am completely aware that some careers in dance will most likely be out of reach for people who started late. You will age out of certain programs quicker, and many opportunities will only seek out dancers of a certain age range. Some circles also have extremely stringent views as to what truly constitutes a "professional" dancer.
If you think creatively, however, there are ways you can use dance in your career after starting late. These may not be the traditional path. But while being a soloist for, say, New York City Ballet may be the "sexiest" of the careers in dance, it is not the only job worth coveting.
All that said, I would still recommend you keep your day job until your chosen dance-related path consistently yields a sustainable living. Just because there is less "gate keeping" in these alternative careers does not mean they are easy by any means.
Nonetheless, here are some of the best careers in dance to look into after starting dance late. All of these options include actually getting to dance.
1. Teaching Careers in Dance
This is probably the most obvious option for careers in dance. It is always worth mentioning, however. I once knew a ballet teacher who didn't discover dance until her late teens. She still went on to train -- and teach -- at a high level.
More and more such people have been seriously taking up ballet lately. And just because they won't have a career in the conventional sense doesn't mean they don't want to become the best they can be. A teacher who started late can be more empathetic here. They understand, first hand, the unique challenges and obstacles those starting dance late face.
Also, depending on the quality of the school district in your area, you could also look into going (back) to college and obtaining a teaching licensure.
I once knew a fellow dance major in college who received much of her dance education through the public school system. She said this was because she and other aspiring dancers at her school could not afford private studio lessons. She therefore wanted to teach in the public school system to give back to some of these aspiring young dancers in a similar situation.
I recently Googled this person to see how she was doing, and she had been named K-12 Teacher of the Year in her area.
Dance tends to favor the privileged, be it in terms of money or an early start. But you don't need a privileged dance background to make an impact as a teacher.
Of all the careers in dance, teaching probably has the least "gate keeping," but it is no less rewarding!
2. Blogger/Influencer Careers in Dance
This is another obvious yet relevant one. In the last few decades, the internet has opened up countless possibilities for people to make a living doing what they love. And a big perk is that it is all on your own terms!
What a lot of people don't take into account is that traditional careers in dance don't just favor an early start. They are also conducive very specific personality types. If you are the type of person who likes a lot of control over your life, then dancing for a big-name company may never have been the thing for you anyway.
There has been somewhat of an adult ballet revolution on the internet lately. It has been wonderful to see. And social media has made it possible for many people to share their journeys and show off their skills after starting dance late. These people can often have valuable insight for other late-starting dancers.
In most cases, income for blogging (or vloging) comes from affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and ad revenue. Before you can expect any money, though, it is paramount that you first build an audience, and then build rapport with that audience. I also recommend that you learn SEO and craft your blog posts around keywords that people actually search for. This is a process that often takes at least a year.
Late-starting influencers making great strides on YouTube include Veronica Viccora and Ballet Misfit.
3. Start Own Studio or Company
Ahh, yes! Another option that is fairly straightforward. If you are of an entrepreneurial or visionary mindset, however, this could be a good opportunity.
Both location and mission are key things to look out for here. You either want to open your studio in an area that doesn't have many dance studios or offer services catering to a specific type of dancer.
For instance, North Carolina Dance Institute in Raleigh, NC has received glowing praise from adults who have aged out of more traditional programs but are still very serious about dancing at a high level.
Veronica Viccora (mentioned above) has started her own Adult Ballet Academy. The academy was created with adults starting dance late in mind. There have been challenges, but so far, her idea seems to have potential. Her workshops have attracted people from out of her state and even Canada!
Broche Ballet, established by Julie Leung operates on an especially innovative concept: online ballet classes for adults. Performance opportunities are also available for all skill levels. There is even an Adult Ballet Extravaganza each year.
As far as starting a company, such business sense is also essential, as is a unique and well-defined idea. It also helps to be well-connected with the dance community in your area. Do be realistic here though. An independent company is not a lucrative money maker on its own and will likely work best as a side gig.
Starting your own venture is one of the most creative (and demanding) careers in dance.
4. Become a Freelance Dancer
Freelancing, for most, is probably going to be more of a side hustle than a full-time job. If you seek performance opportunities and want optimal control over your career, however, it could be a viable option for you.
Some companies and institutions may need guest performers in their shows for a limited run. Or maybe an established choreographer or theater director in your area is working on a project and needs dancers to bring it to life. If you have great technique in at least one dance style and can find opportunities that are a match for your skillset, freelancing can make a fulfilling vocation.
Raquel Beauchamp is one example of a ballet dancer who has been able to carve out a professional career as a freelance performer. Even more impressive, she has done so after starting dance late. She began her (serious) ballet training at the "ripe old age" of 24 and has only been en pointe for six years!
5. Choreography
Do you have a knack for compiling movement sequences in a compelling way?
My very first dance instructor was a gifted choreographer. The students in her class ranged from absolute beginner to pre-professional. However, she was still able to craft dances that were challenging and fun for all. The beginners felt treated like "real" dancers, and the advanced kids didn't feel like they were in a "baby" class.
As I ventured further into the dance world, I grew to appreciate just what a rarity this is. This woman probably could have choreographed for "bigger and better" projects that incorporated a diverse range of performers.
As a choreographer, you could potentially be part of the creative team in films, music videos, or theater productions. Sometimes such businesses as gymnastics gyms or figure skating clubs might even need these services.
Choreography is something you can also pursue online.
Some YouTubers, such as Amanda Tanagawa and Kyle Hanagami, have amassed quite a following by choreographing dances to popular songs and teaching them. Such platforms as YouTube and TikTok have even led to a few choreographers landing professional jobs with well-known entertainers.
6. Look for Smaller Companies
Those big-name ballet companies are far from the only ones worth dancing for. There are countless smaller independent companies all over the world. While still highly competitive, these companies are more accessible. Many dancers find them a lot more fun, too. The environment is less cutthroat, and the repertoire tends to be more unique.
A pro tip for this one is to be open to dance styles beyond just ballet. Modern and contemporary dance companies tend to be much more open-minded and inclusive than ballet when it comes to age, body type, and athletic background. I have seen dancers get jobs dancing for modern dance companies after discovering dance as late as 21 and being told they were "too old to start a new sport."
A ballet company -- even a smaller one -- would be significantly harder to get into, especially after starting dance late, though it isn't unheard of.
There is one caveat, though. Even if you do manage become a member of a professional company after starting late, it is not likely to make you a sustainable living on its own. As with starting your own company (see #3), your earnings from dancing for one will need to be supplemented.
Raquel Beauchamp has carved out a respectable career as a freelance dancer.
7. "Fusion Arts": Create Your Own Dance (or Movement) Style
If you also have extensive training in another sport or performing art, and people find you particularly entertaining, this could be for you.
A famous example of this is comedienne Gilda Radner. She was, of course, best known for her endearing sketch comedy. She was also a very proficient tap dancer. While her dancing may not have been truly "professional" quality, it was solid enough to find its way into her a handful of her routines and captivate an audience.
In some circles, this combining of movement and/or artistic skills is known as "fusion arts."
In the recent years we have seen some very unique acts on YouTube combining dancing and various sports with other art forms. There have been violin-playing tap dancers like Hillary Klug If you are exceptional at video production and/or music composition, you could create something along the lines of this very popular music video from Sting and Alessandra Ferri. Basketball ballet, anyone?
The possibilities are endless. And once you create and practice your own movement style and art form, the next step would be uploading it to YouTube and promoting it.
8. Skill Stacking
This one is my personal favorite because, in addition to being flexible, it allows you to really be creative. You could even combine several careers in dance.
In a nutshell, skill stacking is the combining of multiple skills, experiences, and interests to create a unique job or career profile.
As mentioned earlier, the internet has revolutionized the way people share and showcase their unique skills and talents. In fact, many of the professionals and influencers I have mentioned throughout this article are doing some form of skill-stacking.
Amanda Tanagawa, who makes YouTube videos of her choreography, is also a dance studio owner and certified personal trainer. Freelance performer Raquel Beauchamp is also a professional photographer.
As you can see, with skill-stacking, you can combine several of the options above. You may also incorporate your talents outside of dance to create a unique personal brand. The sky is the limit as long as you are able to resonate with the right people.
Are you also passionate about another sport or art form? Do you have a special interest in something totally unrelated to dance? What about topics that are relevant to dancers such as nutrition and mental health?
When you skill-stack, you actually become the niche rather than finding a niche. And this strategy has been game changer for a lot of people, dancer or not.
