Making a living as a dance pro

[pygmalion]

Can it be done? Teaching? Performing? Researching? How?

[SDsalsaguy]

Can it be done?
Given the number of people who do make their living this way (including some DF members), obviously the answer is yes.

[pygmalion]

A lot do. But many, many also give up, because, from what I've heard it's a hard way to make a living. Anybody care to share some insights on how it can be done?

[KevinL]

Well, I haven't earned a living from dance yet, but I'm working on it. The most obvious way to earn a living is to teach. Performing is also an option, but seems less lucrative, and even less stable than teaching. I don't understand what you meant by researching. I'm asuming that SDSalsaguy has spent an incredible amount of money doing research, but I doubt he will ever recover that investment! (Correct me if I'm wrong, please, 8^))

Teaching dance is a hard way to earn a living because it is physically demanding work. Not as demanding as being a shovel-carrying ditch-digger, but very demanding. How long can someone legitimately expect to teach dance 30-40 hours per week?

Teaching dance is also hard because it is cyclical. I've only been teaching for about a year and a half, and both November's have been really big months, but both December's have been very weak. It's hard to plan for what other people will want to do.

Teaching dance is also hard because your peak business hours are from maybe 5-9, when people are not working. It's hard to earn a living working only 4-5 hours a day.

Can it be done? Definitely. Lots of people earn a living through dancing. However, even more people earn a part-time income from dancing.

How could a person be successful? There is a lot of free small business advice on the net, and it all applies, in various ways, to earning a living through dance.

Personally, because of the population denisty in Vermont I teach in my hometown, and in two other towns about 30-45 minutes (in different directions) from here. That way more students can make it to my classes. I also rent space in those towns instead of having my own business location. It's cheaper than paying for one location all the time, and having multiple locations increases my customer base.

Everything that Salsarhythms (I think) said in the $100+ topic applies here as well. Treat customers with the respect and honesty that you would like to be treated with and eventually you will be able to earn a living.

I would really like to give up my day job sometime this year and focus solely on teaching dance, but I'm a long way from being confident enough to be able to do that. It's that cyclical thing again.

Kevin

[SDsalsaguy]

I'm asuming that SDSalsaguy has spent an incredible amount of money doing research, but I doubt he will ever recover that investment! (Correct me if I'm wrong, please, 8^))
Hi Kevin . . . as far as what I'll actually recoup from the dance scene you are correct. I will have my Ph.D. in not too long (about another year and a half) and then make my living (hopefully) as a university professor. But, of course, I could have have also done my research and completed my degree doing a different project along much less expensive lines. Such is life. On financial grounds that I will never recover my investment, but I wouldn't trade what I did for anything (which isn't to say that I wouldn't be thrilled if someone or some organization stepped forward with some funding to help me complete my project! :wink:).

[pygmalion]

I have spent a lot of time thinking about this as well, KevinL, because I really do love dance and I'd love to dance or do something related to dance all the time. I I just don't think it's feasible for me. So I've pretty much come to the conclusion that the closest I can come is a dance-related small business. Maybe something mail order. Still thinking ...

Thanks for the insights, by the way. :D

[KevinL]

I have spent a lot of time thinking about this as well, KevinL, because I really do love dance and I'd love to dance or do something related to dance all the time.

One of my California teachers told me something very interesting one time. I was helping her at a dance party and she saw me working with some newcomers. Afterward she said I had done a good job, and that I would likely make a good teacher. Then she said, "But wait as long as you can before you do this full time. Once it becomes your job it changes somehow."

Just because someone loves dancing doesn't mean that they will enjoy running a dance business.

I I just don't think it's feasible for me.

(Ignore the previous part of my response, please.)

Why wouldn't it be feasible for you to run a dance business?

Give us all your excuses, and I'm sure all of the positive people on Dance Forums will help you to see why those excuses are just that, excuses. You can do anything you want to, as long as you are willing to put the time and effort into it.


So I've pretty much come to the conclusion that the closest I can come is a dance-related small business. Maybe something mail order. Still thinking ...

A mail order dance business? OK, but can you be more specific? i'm constantly suprised that mail order businesses work because I always want to feel what I'm buying, but you must have speicific thoughts that you think will work. Please share!

Thanks for the insights, by the way. :D

I live to serve.

Kevin