Choreographer

A choreographer/dance instructor trains individuals or large groups of people in different dance forms.

Who's a Choreographer?

As a dance instructor, you will teach different dance forms to your students. You will conduct dance classes regularly and ensure that your students are performing the steps correctly. For instance, if you’re teaching ballet to young students, you will begin by helping them master basic moves, choreograph an entire dance sequence, and monitor each student to see if they are following your instructions correctly.

You will select the music for the dance routine and conduct auditions for events. You might also help with a show’s aesthetic components, such as lighting or costume design. As a choreographer, you would also assist a dance company’s administrative staff.

Are you passionate about dancing? Want to pursue it as a future career option? Explore a day in the life of a Choreographer- Mr. Paresh Shirodkar

What will you do?

Recognising requirements.

Before you accomplish anything as a choreographer, you must first understand exactly what the job involves. This will depend on whether it’s a regular performance or concert. A good choreographer will always start by asking a lot of questions regarding the audience’s expectations.

Collaborating.

Even if you are producing work for a solo show, you must collaborate with a variety of different artists, including costume designers, lighting designers, and the dancers themselves, to ensure that everything runs well.

Storytelling.

You will often assist in the telling of a tale through movement. It’s critical to consider what you want the audience to feel or be affected by while producing compelling choreography.

Designing dances.

This may seem self-evident, yet as a choreographer, you must eventually create the dance. Many times you will be able to accomplish this on your own, listening to the music you’re setting the dance to or studying the musical or ballet score. Other times, you might spend at least some time with the dancers improvisationally developing dance.

Teaching.

You must first determine the skill levels of the dancers you are working with before deciding the best method for teaching the dance routines to them. Professional dancers will learn fast, but even in a situation with professionals, planning beforehand about how to deliver content will speed up the process.

Recognising a performer’s abilities and limits.

It’s difficult to know when to push and when to draw back on a dancer, but it’s critical. A skilled choreographer can walk that delicate line between establishing trust with cast members and generating work that allows them to shine.

Where will you work?

Schools

You will choreograph dances for children of different ages for theatre performances, marching band and other school events

Theatres

 As a theatrical choreographer, you will design dance components for a play or musical and frequently teach them to actors, singers, and dancers.

Dance Companies

Working at a dance company, you will frequently be engaged in dancer selection, selecting individuals who would match the choreographic concepts in terms of movement ability and performance style, teaching and designing dance moves.

How do you get there?

STEP 1: Class XI-XII/Junior College

Opt for Arts/Humanities in 11th and 12th. Even if you choose Science or Commerce at this level, you will have to eventually take up humanities at a bachelor’s level.

STEP 2: Graduation

You can either opt to do a BA in arts and Dance, BA in Dance or a BA in the dance form of your choice. Alternatively, you can also opt for a Bachelor’s in Performing Arts (BPA) in Dance and Arts or a specific dance form of your choice from institutions like NIMS Jaipur or Banaras Hindu University. If there is no course in the specialisation you want to pursue, you can find out about any local classes or even do online courses aside from your graduation.

STEP 3: Internship

You can consider joining one of the various private companies like event management, social media marketing, dance companies, etc that hire interns/trainees. By doing so, you gain experience and expand your connections. You can also work with famous dance classes, set up your own dance studio or join production houses. In addition to this, you can create videos on popular social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

STEP 4: Build Your Portfolio

Begin building your portfolio during your college years. This will benefit you in your college and university application process. Take dance lessons to improve your choreographing abilities. This will bring your ideas to life in your portfolio.

STEP 5: Land a Job

You can apply for jobs on various sites online. As a dance instructor, you will have opportunities to work in schools, movie studios, theatres, dance companies etc.

STEP 6: Post Graduation

You can opt either for an MA in Choreography or Master of Performing Arts in Dance or a specific dance form of your choice.

STEP 1: Class XI-XII/Junior College

You can opt for subjects of your choice in class 11th and 12th.

STEP 2: Graduation

You can either opt to do a BA in arts and Dance, BA in Dance or a BA in the dance form of your choice. Alternatively, you can also opt for a Bachelor’s in Performing arts degree (BPA) in Dance and Arts or a specific dance form of your choice from institutions like NIMS Jaipur or Banaras Hindu University. If there is no course in the specialisation you want to pursue, you can find out about any local classes or even do online courses aside from your graduation.

STEP 3: Internship

You can consider joining one of the various private companies like event management, social media marketing, dance companies, etc that hire interns/trainees. By doing so, you gain experience and expand your connections. You can also work with famous dance classes, set up your own dance studio or join production houses. In addition to this, you can create videos on popular social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

STEP 4: Build Your Portfolio

Begin building your portfolio during your college years. This will benefit you in your college and university application process. Take dance lessons to improve your choreographing abilities. This will bring your ideas to life in your portfolio.

STEP 5: Land a Job

You can apply for jobs on various sites online. As a dance instructor, you will have opportunities to work in schools, movie studios, theatres, dance companies, etc.

STEP 6: Post Graduation

You can opt either for an MA in Choreography or MPA in Dance or a specific dance form of your choice.

STEP 1: Class XI-XII/Junior College

You can opt for subjects of your choice in class 11th and 12th.

STEP 2: Graduation

You can either opt to do a BA in arts and Dance, BA in Dance or a BA in the dance form of your choice. Alternatively, you can also opt for a Bachelor’s in Performing arts degree (BPA) in Dance and Arts or a specific dance form of your choice from institutions like NIMS Jaipur or Banaras Hindu University. If there is no course in the specialisation you want to pursue, you can find out about any local classes or even do online courses aside from your graduation.

STEP 3: Internship

You can consider joining one of the various private companies like event management, social media marketing, dance companies, etc that hire interns/trainees. By doing so, you gain experience and expand your connections. You can also work with famous dance classes, set up your own dance studio or join production houses. In addition to this, you can create videos on popular social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

STEP 4: Build Your Portfolio

Begin building your portfolio during your college years. This will benefit you in your college and university application process. Take dance lessons to improve your choreographing abilities. This will bring your ideas to life in your portfolio.

STEP 5: Land a Job

You can apply for jobs on various sites online. As a dance instructor, you will have opportunities to work in schools, movie studios, theatres, dance companies, etc.

STEP 6: Post Graduation

You can opt either for an MA in Choreography or MPA in Dance or a specific dance form of your choice.

What skills would you need?

Communication Skills

Communication Skills

Communication skills are the ability to clearly express ideas, information, and feelings, both verbally and in writing, so others can easily understand. This includes listening effectively, using the right tone, and being aware of non-verbal cues like body language. These skills help you explain your thoughts clearly, build relationships, and work better in teams. Good communication is important in almost every job, from customer service to leadership roles, because it ensures that tasks are understood and done correctly, and it helps prevent misunderstandings. build this skill
Creative Skills

Creative Skills

Creative skills involve the ability to think outside the box, generate new ideas, and find innovative solutions to problems. These skills include imagination, design thinking, artistic abilities, and the capacity to develop fresh concepts or approaches in different fields, from writing and art to problem-solving in business. Creative skills help you come up with original ideas, improve processes, and develop unique solutions in the workplace. In roles like marketing, design, or product development, creativity is essential for staying competitive and bringing new perspectives to projects or challenges. build this skill
Adaptability

Adaptability

If you have adaptability as a skill, you can easily adjust to new situations, roles, or challenges without losing focus or productivity. You’re able to embrace change, whether it’s a new technology, a shift in team dynamics, or a sudden project requirement. This skill allows you to remain composed during transitions, learn quickly in evolving environments, and stay effective when facing unexpected problems or shifting priorities.
Time Management

Time Management

Time management refers to the ability to plan and organise how much time you spend on specific activities. Good time management enables individuals to work smarter rather than harder, helping them prioritise tasks, set goals, and allocate time efficiently. It includes skills such as prioritisation, scheduling, and setting deadlines, allowing individuals to maximise productivity and reduce stress. This skill is especially valuable in fast-paced environments, where the ability to adapt and adjust priorities can significantly impact performance.

How do you make it to the top ranks?

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Dance Assistant

Individual or group dance classes are the responsibility of dance assistants. Dance assistants play an important role in the development of various dance methods. They can work in both production firms and educational institutions.

Dance Instructor

A dance instructor teaches students dance techniques and theatrical methods. Ballet, Jazz, and Salsa are the most common dance styles they specialise in. Many of the dances are choreographed by the dancing instructor, but some are choreographed by a professional choreographer.

Studio Manager

Studio managers are in charge of the studio’s day-to-day operations. Their responsibilities range from studio equipment management to business operations and client service.

Pursuing your career locally VS abroad

Dance choreography and music are an important part of Indian culture. And, if you can’t stop yourself from mimicking all of the famous Bollywood dances or making Instagram reels of popular signature steps, you could have a thing for dance and want to pursue it as a profession in dance and choreography. If you wish to study Dance and Choreography, you might want to look into the BPA and MPA degree programmes from popular institutes like the Shiamak Davar Institute for Performing Arts, Mumbai or Institute for Creative Excellence, Chandigarh. You can work in top companies like Choreoindia. Choreographers in India earn around 5-6 lakhs per annum at an early stage and can earn up to 15-30 lakhs per annum as they gain experience.

Choreography is a profession where your finesse is most important in terms of how your career progresses. Getting the right mentoring would expose you to a global platform. There are various programmes that educate choreographers for a variety of performance environments and career responsibilities. There are a number of institutes throughout the world dedicated to guiding students interested in dance for films, theatre, TV, stage and more. The Juilliard School in New York and Performing Arts Research and Training Studios (P.A.R.T.S), Belgium, are among the top institutes offering courses in performing arts. After your education, you can opt to work in agencies such as Pentacle (Dance Works Inc.) in New York and AMCK Dance in London. In the USA, choreographers earn a median salary of around $20 – $30 per hour.

How much would you get paid?

Experience is a deciding factor when it comes to the salary packages of a dance instructor. You can earn anywhere between INR 2 lakhs to INR 5 lakhs as an entry-level choreographer. Once you gain industry experience and earn specialised certifications or accolades, you can earn over INR 10-12 lakhs.


What are your career options?

Dance Instructor

Dance instructors are in charge of instructing individuals or groups of people in dance. Their responsibilities include teaching various forms of choreography.

Dance Teacher

The person in charge of a theatre, ballet, or opera company’s overall selection and interpretation of works to be performed.

Artistic Director

The rehearsal director is in charge of coordinating and managing rehearsals within a group. They’re known as the choreographer’s right-hand man, and it’s typically their job to make sure the dancers understand and can express the choreographer’s vision.

#CAREERREADY QUIZ

Think you know everything there is to know about this career?

Take the quiz to test your knowledge and find out how #CareerReady you are!

 

START

1. What do Choreographers do?

2. Which one of these is a responsibilty of a choreographer?

3. Which is the best stream for choreography?

4. Which is an essential skill for choreographers?

5. What do studio managers do?

6. Which is NOT a necessary skill for a choreographer?

7. What does a dance instructor do?

8. Which is a common challenge faced by choreographers?

9. Which one of the following is a place choreogaphers work at?

10. Which is a necessary soft skill for choreographers?

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Think you know everything there is to know about this career? Take the quiz to test your knowledge and find out how #CareerReady you are!

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