How to Become a Professional Hip Hop Dancer

It takes hard work to become a trained hip-hop dancer.

Dancing to your favorite videos in your bedroom is not enough to become a professional hip-hop dancer. It takes training to be considered a professional, either by taking hip-hop dance classes or under the guidance of a mentor. According to an interview on the website Pro Hip Hop with Shane Sparks, the choreographer on the film "You Got Served," dancers need to train with the purpose of becoming professional hip-hop dancers.

Things You'll Need

• Hip-hop dance class
• Modern, jazz or African dance class
• Hip-hop music
• Headshot
• Resume

Instructions

1. Sign up for a hip-hop dance class. Younger students should take beginning hip-hop classes and other types of dance classes such as modern, jazz or African dance. Hip-hop is a specific urban dance, but it has roots in other forms of dance.

2. Practice the moves learned in class in the studio and at home. If you want to be a professional dancer you must dance every day for many hours to condition your body. Practicing keeps the body toned and strong.

3. Create a dance group with other dancers. Find other hip-hop dancers and form a group. You can teach each other dance moves and work as a team. Many professional hip-hop dancers dance in group formations and it helps to practice this technique. Working in a group will help motivate you to dance harder and better.

4. Continue to take as many classes as you can. Hip-hop dance is street dance, but most professional dancers have had years of dance training. As your level progresses, take more advanced classes.

5. Audition for a hip-hop casting call. Check out different auditions locally in newspapers or at your dance class. Directors may be looking for hip-hop dancers for a music video or for a concert. You may need to include a headshot, which is a professional photograph of your head and the top of your chest, and a resume. You should include your training and any job experience.

Tips & Warnings

• Moving to a large city may help you in your professional career as a hip-hop dancer. Larger cities such as New York have more opportunities for dancers and more advanced classes.

• Work on your own personal style in addition to learning style and moves from dance teachers.

• Ask your dance teacher or other dance professional to guide you.

• Be aware of audition scams, like paying up front for auditions.

References

• "Lifted Magazine"; 16 Questions with Shane Sparks: Your Dancing Guru, Andrew Moreno
• Hip-Hop Dance: Hip Hop Dancer's Guidelines
• Pro Hip-Hop: Shane Sparks Interview w/ Advice for Dancers & Choreographers

Resources

• Dallas Cowboys: Rhythm and Blue 2011 Audition Requirements
• Softpedia: Jennifer Lopez's Most Revealing Interview to Date