Things You'll Need:
- Ambition, fortitude, energy, fitness, time, music (usually hip-hop music but not necessarily), and a passion for dancing (talent is a plus but not a requirement)
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Step 1
Commitment: as with any serious undertaking, the pursuit of dancing as a profession will require an investment in time, energy and money (aka blood, sweat and tears). To reach this goal you will have to have a level of dedication that can overcome set-backs and frustration. Becoming a Hip-Hop Dancer is a relatively easy goal to achieve. There are millions of Hip-Hop dancers in living-rooms across the world, but becoming a PROFESSIONAL Hip-Hip Dancer will require a much higher level of dedication.
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Step 2
Acquiring Dance Skills: For those who have the goal of becoming a professional dancer this step sometimes precedes their desire to make dancing a profession. Not all skilled dancers are professionals but all professionals are skilled dancers, so skill is a must.
Like all professions to be skilled will require training, be it formal or informal. Many dancers get their start through copying the moves of professionals in music videos or those of their friends (who probably learned them from music videos). Many dancers acquire a high degree of skill this way. However, since Hip-Hop dancing can be a lucrative, fulfilling and fun career, this means it is also a highly competitive field. Therefore, in order to compete against others in this field a VERY high level of dance skill is required. The dancer who can achieve this level of achievement through informal (practicing at home)training alone is rare as can be seen by watching So You Think You Can Dance or similar shows. To increase your chances of success it will be necessary to receive some formal (paid for) training.
There are two main ways to receive formal training: through performing arts schools or with a dance studio. The same selection process you would use to select a college for any other profession is the process you should use to select a performing arts school. Cost is always part of this equation but to be successful the quality of training and the reputation the school has will be more important factors. When it comes to making a good decision research is invaluable.
Selecting a dance studio that will help you reach your goal is a process that would require another article altogether so here are just a couple things to keep in mind.
1. If you want to be a Hip-Hop Dancer get a Hip-Hop Dance instructor, not tap, jazz, or ballet. While some skills are transferable, it is more economical (in both time and money) to specialize your training.
2. Select a teacher that has or had the level of success you want to achieve. If they never "made it" most likely they will have little to offer you on your road to success.
3. Select an instructor whose style is current. Hip-Hop dancing is a style that is ever-evolving and performing out-dated moves is a HUGE faux-pas (as you can testify to if you have ever seen someone doing the cabbage patch or the running man). Sitting in on a class or better yet at a performance or recital put on by the studio is a good way to make this determination. -
Step 3
Practice: Practice does NOT make perfect but it DOES make professionals. Your dedication to the goal of becoming a professional Hip-Hop dancer must include the dedication of time practicing. While you don't have to practice every day, the elite in the profession DO practice every day and if you want to be the best at what you do, you will have to as well. Most persons passionate about dancing practice every day out of love of dancing so this will probably not be an issue, but never become so confident in your skill-level that you think you can stop practicing. Remember, your competition for the job of Professional Hip-Hop Dancer is practicing right now. You can stop practicing when you no longer want to be a professional dancer, and hopefully that will be when you retire.
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Step 4
Audition: When you have reached the level of skill required to compete in the field you will have to audition for a position. To determine if you have reached this level of skill ask a professional dancer or your instructor to give their opinion, but DON'T rely on the opinion of your family (advice some American Idol Rejects never received).
An audition is the equivalent of a job interview for other professional fields except that you have to demonstrate your ability on the interview (and might even have to have a resume as well).
The process of auditioning can be a daunting task. It will be time consuming, and stressful. You will most likely have to face rejection many times. As mentioned earlier, this is a competitive field which means even if you are at the top of the class as far as skill is concerned you may get rejected due only to the lack of available spots.
Audition for your most coveted positions and if you are selected you are on your way. If you are not selected for your most coveted positions, audition for any position. Remember being a professional means being willing to work, which may also means working your way up from the bottom. Dancing for less coveted positions will give you the invaluable experience you need to achieve the height of success, will expose you to talent scouts, and will provide more bells and whistles for your resume which may give you the edge against the competition at future auditions.
You will know you are a professional Hip-Hop Dancer when you get paid for dancing (with a check, not one dollar bills stuffed into your garter or thrown in a hat). Until then keep training, keep practicing and keep auditioning until you have reached all your professional goals.
Comments
mpodlesny said
on 12/17/2008 5 stars for the article!