Waltz to a successful career

Dance is one of the most elegant forms of artistic expression known to mankind. It's an art with a universal appeal and is impressive enough to captivate the young and the old alike. Evolving from the age old conventional Indian dance forms such as Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, etc, this art has found a harmonious fusion with western dance forms to touch a chord with the new generation. With an interesting variety to choose from, students these days are opting for contemporary and western dances such as Salsa, Jive, Foxtrot, Waltz, Samba, Rumba, Tango along with the traditional and folk dance forms.

Programmes Offered:

Aspirants can pursue certificate courses, bachelor courses, diploma courses and post graduate level courses. Some of these courses are as follows:

• B.A. (Hons) Dance
• B.A. Dance
• B.F.A. Dance
• Bachelor of Dance (B. Dance)
• Certificate Course in Dance
• Diploma in Dance
• M.A. Dance
• M.F.A. Dance
• Master of Dance (M. Dance)
• Ph.D. Dance

Eligibility Criteria:

Apart from having a keen interest, it is advisable to start training from an early age much before the professional training begins. The eligibility criteria for pursuing a career in this field are as follows:

• Basic requirement is 10+2
• Candidate is expected to have talent, versatility, sense of rhythm, dedication, grace, an expressive facial and body language, ability to interpret roles, stage presence, creativity, physical stamina etc.

Job Prospects:

Job is not a concern for those with talent. Apart from being employed by academies, kala kendras, Doordarshan, dance troupes and teaching institutions, students can also become choreographers or performers. Choreographers can work in troupes performing stage shows, TV shows and work in the film industry. For being a performer it is essential to have a strong stage presence. Besides professional training, a performer is required to have dedication, talent and the right industry contacts for making it big as a performer.

Remuneration:

Though the starting salaries are not quite high, income prospects depend on one's talent and experience. A performer can expect to earn in the range of Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 for a performance of 2 hours duration. For a choreographer the starting salary can be anything around Rs 3,000 or Rs10,000 per show. It can grow upto a few lakhs with experience.

Tips for becoming a successful dancer:

• Be confident and look confident
• Market and advertise yourself and your company
• 18 - 20 hours of training each day is a must
• Upgrade your skills by learning newer dance forms from around the world

Other interesting reads:

- Courses in Dance and Music
- Choreographer Needs to be Creative and Innovative in Style