What You'll Do

  • Direct rehearsals to instruct dancers in dance steps and in techniques to achieve desired effects.
  • Read and study story lines and musical scores to determine how to translate ideas and moods into dance movements.
  • Design dances for individual dancers, dance companies, musical theatre, opera, fashion shows, film, television productions, and special events, and for dancers ranging from beginners to professionals.
  • Choose the music, sound effects, or spoken narrative to accompany a dance.
  • Advise dancers on standing and moving properly, teaching correct dance techniques to help prevent injuries.
  • Coordinate production music with music directors.
  • Audition performers for one or more dance parts.
  • Direct and stage dance presentations for various forms of entertainment.
  • Develop ideas for creating dances, keeping notes and sketches to record influences.
  • Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.

Essential Skills

Instructing 4.0/5
Active Listening 3.88/5
Speaking 3.88/5
Coordination 3.88/5
Monitoring 3.75/5
Learning Strategies 3.62/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.62/5
Reading Comprehension 3.5/5
Critical Thinking 3.38/5
Time Management 3.38/5
Active Learning 3.25/5
Service Orientation 3.25/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Artist: Creating original work and expressing ideas feels natural.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.
  • Leader: Taking charge and moving ideas forward motivates you.

Common styles

Innovation, Persistence, Attention to Detail, Dependability, Leadership

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Gross Body Coordination 4.12/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Originality 4.0/5
Gross Body Equilibrium 4.0/5
Oral Comprehension 3.88/5
Fluency of Ideas 3.88/5
Visualization 3.75/5
Dynamic Strength 3.75/5

Technologies & Tools

Chorel Technology Dance Designer Credo Interactive DanceForms Email software Facebook Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Salesforce software Salesforce Visualforce Social media sites Web browser software Word processing software YouTube

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Innovation (High importance: 4.71/5)
  • Persistence (High importance: 4.71/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.62/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.62/5)
  • Leadership (High importance: 4.57/5)

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How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Ballet Director Choreographer Choreography Director Dance Choreographer Dance Director Dance Instructor Dance Maker Dance Master Dancing Master Musical Choreographer Opera Choreographer Teaching Choreographer