Acting Resume Examples and Templates
Dancer Resume Examples and Templates for 2024
Last Updated:
October 12, 2024
Dancer
Dance Teacher
Dance Coach
Table of Contents
Dancer Resume Templates and Examples (Download in App)
- Dancer
- Dance Teacher
- Dance Coach
Beginner Dancer Resume Example
To grab the attention of casting directors and hiring managers, write a compelling dance resume that demonstrates your passion and commitment to your craft. As you write your bullet points, focus on exploring the nuances of your creative talents. Illustrate your expertise in specific areas of dance and feature your most stunning performances. Whether you’re pursuing a career as a professional dancer or as an instructor, our dance resume guide has all the tips you need to drive your career forward.
Key takeaways:
- Emphasize performance versatility: Highlight your experience across various dance styles, such as ballet, modern, ballroom, jazz, or hip-hop.
- Showcase your dance achievements: Quantify your achievements as a dancer using hard numbers and metrics. Emphasize the number of performances you’ve participated in or the size of the classes you’ve taught.
- Use dance-specific keywords: Incorporate specific terms that align with the job description to ensure compliance with applicant tracking systems (ATS), such as “choreography planning,” “curriculum development,” and “musicality.”
How To Write a Dancer Resume Example
Writing a dancer resume requires showcasing both your artistic talent and professional achievements in the performing arts world. Before crafting your content, be sure that your template contains the following sections:
- Contact information
- Profile summary
- Key skills
- Professional experience
- Education and certifications
1. Share your contact information
Include your full name, phone number, email address, and location. Additionally, share links to an online portfolio that shows your dance performances.
Example
Sarah Johnson
[email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Los Angeles, CA | Instagram | YouTube Portfolio
2. Write a compelling profile summarizing your dancer qualifications
Leading with a powerful opening summary is essential for any resume. Your profile sets the tone for your document, allowing you to immediately grab the attention of casting directors and dance studios. To make a lasting impression, your introduction should capture the styles of dance you specialize in and provide a snapshot of your most impressive accomplishments.
For example, if you’re pursuing a career as a professional dancer, emphasize your most notable performances and competition awards. If you’re seeking a career as an instructor, your teaching experience should be the focal point of your summary. You might also draw attention to prominent venues and noteworthy productions you’ve participated in.
Experienced Dancer Profile Example
A professional dancer with 10 years of experience performing ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance for world-renowned companies such as Ballet Theatre of New York. Achieved critical acclaim for lead performances in productions Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. Dedicated to sharing the transformative power of dance with audiences globally.
Entry-Level Dancer Profile Example
A dynamic and creative dancer with formal training in ballet, contemporary, and hip hop. A proven track record of delivering engaging performances in student showcases and regional dance competitions. Committed to honing technique and exploring creative choreography through rigorous practice and disciplined learning.
3. Add an accomplishment-driven professional dance experience section
The professional experience section of your resume allows you to explore your achievements as a dancer in greater detail. In addition to listing key performances, feature accomplishments that display your unique creative talents, such as any award nominations you’ve garnered for specific roles. If your background is centered around dance instruction and coaching, paint an engaging image of how you’ve nurtured talent and helped your students achieve their potential.
Experienced Dancer Professional Experience Example
Principal Dancer, Ballet Theatre of New York | New York, NY | January 2018 – present
- Achieve multiple award nominations for lead performances in over 50 productions, including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Apollo
- Define award-winning dance pieces and choreography for the annual spring performance, resulting in critical acclaim from the New York Times
- Collaborate effectively with directors, actors, dancers, and stage managers to deliver seamless, high-energy performances
Entry-Level Dancer Professional Experience Example
Dancer, Texas School of Performing Arts | Austin, TX | August 2021 – June 2024
- Performed in 15 student showcases, including lead solo in a contemporary dance piece for the spring recital
- Collaborated with student choreographers and instructors to develop new routines for performances
- Delivered engaging performances in three regional dance competitions, receiving third place in the ensemble category for contemporary dance
Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience
Quantifying your achievements is key and paints a clearer picture for the hiring manager, allowing them to understand the full breadth of your artistic talents. Incorporating numbers is a great way to enhance the impact of your bullet points. For instance, “Performed lead roles in over 50 ballet productions at the New York City Ballet for audiences of over 1,500” is far more impactful than simply stating you “performed in multiple ballet productions for large audiences.”
Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume for each application
To maximize your chances of landing the interview, align your resume with the specific dance role you’re applying for. Should the company be looking for a ballet performer, focus on your classical training and experience. If you’re seeking a dance instructor role at an academy, emphasize your ability to plan lessons and design choreography for student performances.
What if you don’t have experience?
Even if you’re new to the field, you can still build an impactful resume that resonates with hiring managers and production companies. In this situation, focus on your dance education and training, including workshops, showcases, or competitions you’ve participated in. Display your diverse knowledge of various dance styles and specific skill sets that match the job posting.
4. Include relevant dance education and certifications
List any degrees and dance conservatories that are relevant to your target role. Include workshops or masterclasses with notable instructors if applicable. If your aim is to pursue a career as a coach or instructor, obtaining a Certified Dance Teacher credential from the American Dance Teachers Association is highly recommended.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Dance Performance | May 2018
University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA
Certifications
Certified Dance Teacher | American Dance Teachers Association | May 2017
5. List pertinent key dance skills
Create a key skills section that highlights your technical styles, choreography, and performance abilities. If you’re applying for teaching or coaching positions, include skills like lesson planning, student evaluation, and curriculum development. Be sure to analyze the job description and incorporate matching keywords, as some production companies and dance academies will be employing ATS to identify qualified candidates.
| Example of key skills for a dancer: | |
|---|---|
| Ballet | Ballroom dancing |
| Choreography | Coaching |
| Contemporary ballet | Curriculum development |
| Dance instruction | Hip-hop |
| Improvisation | Injury prevention and warm-up techniques |
| Latin dance | Lesson planning |
| Modern dance | Musicality |
| Partnering and lifts | Rehearsal coordination |
| Stage presence | Student development |
| Student engagement | Team collaboration |
Resume writer’s tip: Use common action verbs
In your professional experience section, use dynamic action verbs to help the hiring manager visualize your achievements, such as “choreographed,” “performed,” “directed,” “collaborated,” and “coached.” This helps to add energy to your bullet points and enhance the overall readability of your dance resume. Below, you’ll find a list of action verbs you can use during the resume-building process:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Achieved | Choreographed |
| Coached | Collaborated |
| Communicated | Coordinated |
| Created | Delivered |
| Designed | Developed |
| Drove | Educated |
| Enhanced | Evaluated |
| Identified | Implemented |
| Improved | Instructed |
| Performed | Planned |
| Supported | Taught |
How To Pick the Best Dancer Resume Template
When selecting your resume template, opt for a layout that focuses on your professional achievements and allows for a clear presentation of your artistic abilities. A simple, clean design with sections for skills, work experience experience, and education is ideal for showing your qualifications without overwhelming the reader.
Dancer Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Sarah Johnson
[email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Los Angeles, CA | Portfolio
Dynamic performer with expertise in multiple dance styles
A professional dancer with six years of experience performing ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance for world-renowned companies such as Ballet Theatre of New York. Achieved critical acclaim for lead performances in productions Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. Dedicated to sharing the transformative power of dance with audiences globally.
Professional Experience
Principal Dancer, Ballet Theatre of New York | New York, NY | January 2018 – present
- Achieve multiple award nominations for lead performances in over 50 productions, including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Apollo
- Define award-winning dance pieces and choreography for the annual spring performance, resulting in critical acclaim from the New York Times
- Collaborate effectively with directors, actors, dancers, and stage managers to deliver seamless, high-energy performances
Key Skills
- Ballet, contemporary, jazz
- Choreography and improvisation
- Stage performance
- Partnering techniques
- Audience engagement
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Dance Performance | May 2018
Juilliard School | New York, NY
Why this dancer resume example is strong:
This resume example excels in capturing the dancer’s most impressive performances and accolades. The bullet points draw attention to specific performances and awards, effectively displaying the full scope of their creative talents.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dancer Resume Examples and Advice
How do you align your resume with a dancer job description?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% increase in dance and choreographer occupations over the next decade. Despite these positive indicators, dance professions are highly niche and competitive, with only 3,400 expected each year. To increase your odds of generating interviews and auditions, it’s important to align your dance resume with the job description.
For example, if a production company is seeking a dancer with an exceptional talent for classical ballet, your resume should heavily display specific performances that display this expertise. If an academy is seeking an instructor who excels in planning choreography, feature compelling examples of how you’ve created innovative routines that align with your students’ strengths.
What is the best dancer resume format?
The reverse chronological resume format is ideal for dancers. This format allows you to show your most recent performances or teaching experience at the top of your document, which is key in the dance industry. Avoid functional formats that focus solely on skills without the context of where or how you applied them.
Expert advice:
Include a cover letter with your resume
A well-crafted cover letter can make all the difference in landing a dance audition or teaching role. Use the cover letter to further convey your passion for the dance and demonstrate how your unique style and experiences align with the organization’s mission and values.
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Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.
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