By
eHow Careers & Work Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Step1
Learn a classical form of dance as young as possible. Focus your dance training on a specific style of dance and begin intensive training in that style as a teenager. Begin auditioning for dance troupes and performances when you are 17 years old.
Step2
Join a summer training program where you will work for a dance school company. Candidates are often chosen for admission to regular full-time training programs from these summer programs.
Step3
Attend a conservatory or university with a well-known dance program. A degree isn't required to be a professional choreographer, but a broad education is desirable. Knowledge of music, literature, history and art inspires choreographers and helps them better interpret feelings and ideas through movement.
Step4
Get practical work experience. Apply for an apprenticeship under a choreographer in your style of dance who you like and admire.
Step5
Obtain a college degree in dance and education if you want to work as a choreographer/teacher in a college, high school or elementary school. While schools sometimes accept performance experience, universities and conservatories typically require a graduate degree.
Step6
Keep dancing. Your reputation as a dancer is most likely to lead to opportunities for choreography work in dance schools, universities and dance companies. Choreograph anything and everything that you can in order to get your name and ideas in showcases and platforms.
