Top 12 Choreographer Skills to Put on Your Resume

In the dynamic world of dance and performance, a choreographer's resume needs to stand out by highlighting a unique blend of creative, technical, and interpersonal skills. These top choreographer skills are essential in showcasing your ability to conceptualize, create, and communicate intricate dance routines, ultimately setting the stage for a successful career in choreography.

Choreographer Skills

1. Choreography
2. Ballet
3. Jazz
4. Hip-Hop
5. Modern Dance
6. Improvisation
7. Dance Notation (Labanotation)
8. Movement Analysis
9. Performance Direction
10. Rehearsal Management
11. Dance Education
12. Final Cut Pro (for editing performance videos)

1. Choreography

Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements and steps for physical performances, such as dance, executed by a dancer or group of dancers. A choreographer is the individual responsible for creating these sequences, blending movement with the music, theme, and performance space to tell a story or convey emotions.

Why It's Important

Choreography is crucial as it provides structure and visual expression to a performance, allowing a choreographer to convey emotions, tell stories, and showcase the skills of performers through meticulously designed movements and sequences. It transforms music into motion, creating a cohesive and engaging experience for the audience.

How to Improve Choreography Skills

Improving choreography involves a blend of creativity, technical skill, and continuous learning. Here are concise tips for a choreographer looking to enhance their work:

1. Study Various Dance Styles: Broaden your movement vocabulary by exploring different dance genres. This diversity can inspire unique choreography. Dance Magazine offers insights into various styles.

2. Watch Performances: Observe live and recorded performances to get inspired and learn from others. Websites like On the Boards provide access to contemporary performances.

3. Take Workshops and Classes: Continuous education is key. Attend workshops and classes to keep your skills sharp and learn new techniques. Dance Teacher Connect offers resources for finding classes and workshops.

4. Collaborate with Others: Work with dancers, other choreographers, and artists in different fields to gain new perspectives and ideas. Collaboration can lead to unexpected and innovative work.

5. Practice Improvisation: Improvisation can unleash creativity and lead to the discovery of original movements and sequences. It's a critical skill for choreographers to develop.

6. Feedback and Critique: Seek constructive feedback from peers, mentors, and your audience. Reflect on this feedback and use it to refine your work. Online forums and communities, like Dance Forums, can be a good place to start.

7. Record and Analyze Your Work: Use video to record rehearsals and performances. Watching your work can help you identify areas for improvement and solidify your choreographic ideas.

8. Stay Physically Fit: A strong and flexible body can execute and demonstrate movements more effectively. Incorporate a regular fitness routine into your schedule.

9. Keep a Choreography Journal: Document your ideas, inspirations, and processes. This can be a valuable tool for reflection and development.

10. Be Patient and Persistent: Developing a unique choreographic voice takes time. Stay committed to your practice and continue to push your creative boundaries.

By integrating these strategies into your practice, you can significantly enhance your choreography and contribute more profoundly to the field of dance.

How to Display Choreography Skills on Your Resume

2. Ballet

Ballet is a highly technical and classical form of dance that emphasizes grace, precision, and discipline. For a choreographer, it involves creating and arranging dance movements and sequences to convey a story, theme, or emotion, utilizing ballet's vocabulary and techniques.

Why It's Important

Ballet is crucial for a choreographer as it provides a foundational technique, discipline, and understanding of body movement, enabling the creation of diverse and intricate dance pieces. It fosters a deep appreciation of music, rhythm, and storytelling through dance, essential skills for choreographing compelling performances across various dance genres.

How to Improve Ballet Skills

Improving ballet, especially from a choreographer's perspective, involves a blend of creativity, technique, and continuous learning. Here are concise strategies:

1. Expand Your Vocabulary: Continuously learn new movements and techniques. Explore various dance forms to incorporate fresh elements into your ballet choreography. Dance Magazine often features innovative choreography and insights.

2. Music Interpretation: Develop a deep understanding of your music choices. Let the music dictate the flow and mood of your choreography. Classical Music for Ballet Class offers a selection of music specifically for ballet.

3. Feedback and Collaboration: Collaborate with dancers, other choreographers, and teachers. Obtain feedback to refine your work. Websites like DancePlug offer forums and opportunities for collaboration.

4. Watch Performances: Study performances from top ballet companies worldwide. Analyze their choreography for structure, emotion, and technique. Platforms like Marquee TV provide access to numerous ballet performances.

5. Practice and Experimentation: Dedicate time to practice and experiment with different choreographic ideas. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Jacob's Pillow Dance Interactive is a fantastic resource for exploring a wide range of dance videos for inspiration.

6. Attend Workshops and Seminars: Participate in workshops and seminars to hone your craft and network with other professionals. The Royal Academy of Dance often hosts events and workshops for dance educators and choreographers.

By implementing these strategies, choreographers can enhance their ballet productions, creating more dynamic, expressive, and innovative performances.

How to Display Ballet Skills on Your Resume

3. Jazz

Jazz is a dynamic and expressive dance form that originated from African American culture, characterized by rhythmic complexity, improvisation, and a fusion of various dance styles, often set to jazz music. It emphasizes individuality, fluid movements, and often incorporates elements of ballet and modern dance.

Why It's Important

Jazz is important for a choreographer because it offers a rich vocabulary of movement, embodies a strong sense of rhythm and improvisation, and encourages emotional expression and individuality, enabling the creation of dynamic, expressive, and innovative dance pieces.

How to Improve Jazz Skills

Improving jazz choreography involves a blend of technique, musicality, and creativity. Here are concise tips:

1. Study the Greats: Learn from iconic choreographers and dancers by watching their performances. Understanding their methods can inspire your unique style. For inspiration, visit Jacob's Pillow Dance Interactive.

2. Music Interpretation: Jazz is all about expressing the music through movement. Listen deeply to your music choice, identifying beats, rhythms, and emotions. For music understanding, MusicTheory.net offers valuable lessons.

3. Technique Strengthening: A strong technical foundation in jazz is crucial. Incorporate exercises that improve flexibility, strength, and technique. For technique courses, consider platforms like CLI Studios.

4. Experiment with Styles: Jazz encompasses various styles. Don’t be afraid to blend elements from contemporary, ballet, or hip-hop to create something unique. For style exploration, Stezy offers classes in multiple dance genres.

5. Feedback and Adaptation: Regular feedback from dancers and fellow choreographers can provide new insights. Be open to adapting your choreography based on constructive criticism.

6. Continuous Learning: Attend workshops, take online classes, and continually seek new knowledge to stay inspired and informed. Websites like DancePlug offer workshops and classes by industry professionals.

By following these tips and continuously seeking to evolve your choreography, you can significantly improve your jazz pieces.

How to Display Jazz Skills on Your Resume

4. Hip-Hop

Hip-hop is a dynamic and expressive dance style that originated from street dances in the 1970s, characterized by its rhythmical body movements, isolations, and freestyle nature, often performed to hip-hop music. It incorporates various techniques and styles such as breaking, popping, and locking, making it a versatile and innovative genre for choreographers.

Why It's Important

Hip-hop is important for a choreographer because it offers a rich, dynamic, and versatile language for dance, enabling the expression of complex emotions, stories, and cultural identities. It fosters creativity, encourages innovation in movement, and connects with diverse audiences through its energetic and relatable style.

How to Improve Hip-Hop Skills

To improve Hip-Hop choreography, focus on these key aspects:

1. Foundations: Master the basics of Hip-Hop styles (Popping, Locking, Breaking). Back to Basics offers fundamental lessons.

2. Musicality: Understand and interpret the music's nuances. Building Musicality provides tips on matching moves to beats.

3. Creativity: Mix elements from different dance styles to innovate. Watch TEDx Talks on creativity in dance for inspiration.

4. Storytelling: Use your choreography to narrate a story or express emotions. Explore Dance Storytelling for techniques.

5. Practice and Feedback: Continuously practice and seek feedback from peers. Join platforms like DancePlug for classes and community support.

Focusing on these areas will enhance your Hip-Hop choreography, making it more expressive, dynamic, and engaging.

How to Display Hip-Hop Skills on Your Resume

5. Modern Dance

Modern dance is a broad genre of concert dance that emerged in the early 20th century as a reaction against the strict rules of classical ballet. It emphasizes expression, improvisation, and the use of gravity and body weight to enhance movement. For choreographers, modern dance offers creative freedom to explore new movement vocabularies and themes, focusing on the dancer's internal emotions and storytelling through physical expression.

Why It's Important

Modern dance is significant for a choreographer as it offers creative freedom to express emotions and stories through innovative movement, breaking from classical ballet's constraints. It allows for personal expression and the exploration of contemporary themes, fostering a unique artistic voice.

How to Improve Modern Dance Skills

Improving modern dance as a choreographer involves a multifaceted approach focusing on creativity, technique, and continuous learning. Here’s a concise guide:

1. Expand Your Vocabulary: Continuously expose yourself to a variety of dance forms to blend different techniques into your choreography. Dance Magazine offers insights and trends across dance genres.

2. Study and Collaborate: Learn from other choreographers and dancers by attending workshops, classes, and performances. Collaboration can spark new ideas. Platforms like Jacob’s Pillow Dance Interactive provide access to a wide range of performances and choreographic styles.

3. Incorporate Technology: Use technology to create innovative performances. Software for music editing and video projection can enhance your choreography. Resources like Dance-Tech offer information on integrating technology with dance.

4. Focus on Storytelling: Emphasize narrative in your choreography. Whether abstract or literal, a clear theme or story can make your work more relatable and impactful. TED Talks on dance can inspire storytelling techniques.

5. Feedback and Reflect: Regularly seek feedback from peers, mentors, and audiences. Reflect on your work critically and be open to evolution. Online forums and social media platforms can be good places for feedback, but direct, in-person feedback is invaluable.

6. Physical and Mental Conditioning: Encourage your dancers to maintain peak physical condition and mental wellness. Practices like yoga, Pilates, and meditation can improve performance and creativity. Refer to MindBodyGreen for wellness tips.

7. Innovate and Experiment: Don't be afraid to break the rules and experiment with new ideas. The most memorable works in modern dance often come from a place of innovation.

By continuously learning, experimenting, and collaborating, you can push the boundaries of modern dance and develop your unique voice as a choreographer.

How to Display Modern Dance Skills on Your Resume

6. Improvisation

Improvisation, in the context of a choreographer, is the spontaneous creation and execution of movement without pre-planned steps or sequences, allowing for real-time expression and exploration of ideas through the body.

Why It's Important

Improvisation is crucial for a choreographer as it fosters creativity, allowing for the exploration of new movements and ideas, enhances problem-solving skills by adapting to unforeseen circumstances, and encourages a deeper connection with the music and emotional expression, ultimately enriching the choreography.

How to Improve Improvisation Skills

Improving improvisation as a choreographer involves enhancing your spontaneous movement creation skills. Here are concise steps with resources:

1. Practice Regularly: Dedicate time to improvisation without any set agenda to explore movements freely.
2. Expand Your Movement Vocabulary: Take classes in various dance styles to incorporate new movements into your improvisation (Dance Magazine).
3. Use Stimuli: Improvise to different types of music, poetry, or visual art to inspire movement (Dance Spirit).
4. Collaborate: Work with other dancers or choreographers to exchange ideas and challenge your creative processes.
5. Record and Reflect: Video your improvisation sessions to review, critique, and notice patterns or habits in your movement (Jacob's Pillow Dance Interactive).
6. Feedback Loop: Seek feedback from peers and mentors to gain different perspectives on your improvisational work.

By following these steps and utilizing the linked resources, you can significantly improve your improvisation skills as a choreographer.

How to Display Improvisation Skills on Your Resume

7. Dance Notation (Labanotation)

Dance notation, specifically Labanotation, is a system for recording and analyzing human movement, devised by Rudolf Laban. For a choreographer, it serves as a precise method to document dance choreographies, allowing the dances to be preserved, taught, and reconstructed accurately.

Why It's Important

Dance notation, such as Labanotation, is important for choreographers as it provides a precise and enduring way to record and communicate complex dance movements, ensuring accurate preservation and reconstruction of choreographies for future performances and educational purposes.

How to Improve Dance Notation (Labanotation) Skills

Improving dance notation, specifically Labanotation, for choreographers involves enhancing accuracy, accessibility, and adaptability. Here are concise tips:

1. Educate and Train: Invest in comprehensive Labanotation courses for yourself and your team to deepen understanding and proficiency.

2. Utilize Software: Incorporate software like LabanWriter or Kinect2Dancer to digitize and simplify the notation process.

3. Collaborate: Work closely with certified Labanotation experts from institutions like the Dance Notation Bureau for accuracy and to explore innovative notation strategies.

4. Feedback Loop: Implement a feedback system with dancers to identify and correct discrepancies between notation and execution, ensuring clarity and effectiveness.

5. Adapt and Customize: Tailor the notation to the specific needs of your dance piece and performers, considering factors like the complexity of movements and the space used.

6. Archive and Share: Make notated works accessible through platforms like the Digital Dance Library to promote sharing, learning, and preservation.

By focusing on these areas, choreographers can enhance their use of Labanotation, making it a more powerful tool for capturing and transmitting the art of dance.

How to Display Dance Notation (Labanotation) Skills on Your Resume

8. Movement Analysis

Movement analysis, in the context of a choreographer, is the systematic observation and evaluation of dancers' body movements and techniques to enhance performance, ensure alignment with the choreographic vision, and prevent injuries. It involves breaking down dance sequences into components for detailed examination and improvement.

Why It's Important

Movement analysis is crucial for a choreographer as it helps in understanding and breaking down the physical capabilities and limitations of performers, ensuring movements are executed safely and effectively. It enables the choreographer to craft sequences that enhance the narrative, mood, and emotional impact of a performance, while also tailoring choreography to the unique strengths of the dancers, optimizing their performance and the overall aesthetic of the piece.

How to Improve Movement Analysis Skills

To improve movement analysis as a choreographer, focus on these concise strategies:

1. Study Various Dance Forms: Expose yourself to a broad range of dance styles to understand different movement patterns and techniques. International Dance Council CID offers resources and links to dance forms worldwide.

2. Use Video Analysis Tools: Leverage video software to break down movements frame by frame, allowing for detailed examination. Dartfish and Hudl Technique are popular choices among professionals.

3. Participate in Workshops: Attend workshops and masterclasses to learn new analysis techniques and receive feedback on your methods. Dance/USA lists opportunities for professional development.

4. Incorporate Biomechanics Principles: Understanding the science of movement can enhance your analysis. The International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) provides resources on dancer health and movement efficiency.

5. Collaborate and Share Feedback: Work with dancers and other choreographers to gather different perspectives on movement. Platforms like DancePlug facilitate community connections and discussions.

By integrating these strategies, you'll refine your movement analysis skills, contributing to more effective choreography and performance outcomes.

How to Display Movement Analysis Skills on Your Resume

9. Performance Direction

Performance Direction, in the context of a Choreographer, refers to the process of guiding and shaping the artistic execution and interpretive choices of dancers during a performance, ensuring that movement, expressions, and overall execution align with the intended vision and emotional impact of the choreography.

Why It's Important

Performance direction is crucial for a choreographer as it ensures the accurate translation of creative vision into physical expression, guiding performers in embodying the intended emotions, dynamics, and storytelling, resulting in a cohesive and impactful performance.

How to Improve Performance Direction Skills

To enhance Performance Direction as a Choreographer, focus on the following strategies:

1. Clear Vision: Define your artistic vision and communicate it effectively to your performers. Ensure that every element of the performance aligns with this vision. The Importance of Vision in Performance Art

2. Understanding Performers: Get to know your performers' strengths and weaknesses. Tailor your choreography to showcase their best qualities. Maximizing Dancer's Potential

3. Feedback and Adaptation: Provide constructive feedback and be open to receiving it as well. Adapt choreography as needed to improve the overall performance. Effective Feedback in Dance

4. Continual Learning: Stay updated with the latest trends and techniques in choreography. Attend workshops and collaborate with other choreographers to learn new methods. Continual Learning for Choreographers

5. Physical and Mental Preparation: Ensure that performers are physically and mentally prepared. Incorporate conditioning and mental health practices into rehearsals. Dancer Wellness

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve the direction of your performances, leading to more cohesive, dynamic, and impactful presentations.

How to Display Performance Direction Skills on Your Resume

10. Rehearsal Management

Rehearsal management, in the context of a choreographer, involves organizing, scheduling, and overseeing the practice sessions to ensure that dancers learn and perfect the choreography efficiently and effectively within the allocated time frame. It includes coordinating with the team, setting objectives for each rehearsal, and adjusting plans as needed to achieve the desired performance outcome.

Why It's Important

Rehearsal management is crucial for a choreographer because it ensures efficient use of time and resources, allowing for the precise execution and refinement of dance movements, aligning the performers' interpretation with the choreographic vision, and ultimately enhancing the overall quality and impact of the performance.

How to Improve Rehearsal Management Skills

Improving rehearsal management as a choreographer involves strategic planning, clear communication, and effective use of technology. Here are concise steps:

1. Plan Ahead: Outline goals and schedules well in advance. Trello or Google Calendar can help in organizing schedules and tasks.

2. Communicate Clearly: Use apps like Slack for clear, direct communication with your team about expectations, changes, and feedback.

3. Use Rehearsal Software: Explore tools like On The Stage for managing scripts, cues, and notes.

4. Feedback Loop: Incorporate regular, constructive feedback sessions using video recordings. Tools like Vimeo can be used for sharing and reviewing rehearsal videos.

5. Health and Safety: Ensure a focus on the physical and mental well-being of your team. Quick, accessible resources can be found on Dance/USA.

6. Continual Learning: Stay updated with new techniques and methodologies via online platforms like Skillshare where you can both learn and teach.

Implementing these strategies effectively can lead to more productive, engaging, and successful rehearsals.

How to Display Rehearsal Management Skills on Your Resume

11. Dance Education

Dance Education for a choreographer involves the study and practice of teaching dance technique, theory, and performance, focusing on developing choreographic skills, understanding movement principles, and fostering creative expression in students.

Why It's Important

Dance education is crucial for a choreographer as it provides the foundational knowledge of various dance techniques, enhances creativity and artistic expression, and fosters an understanding of body movement and space. It also equips choreographers with the skills to effectively communicate concepts to dancers and to innovate within the art form, ensuring the creation of compelling and meaningful performances.

How to Improve Dance Education Skills

Improving dance education, especially from a choreographer's perspective, involves a multifaceted approach focusing on creativity, inclusivity, and ongoing learning. Here are concise strategies:

1. Foster Creativity: Encourage students to explore and express their own ideas through improvisation and choreography assignments. Dance Magazine often highlights innovative ways to inspire creativity.

2. Incorporate Technology: Utilize online resources and software for choreography, such as Dance Designer, to enhance learning and creativity.

3. Promote Inclusivity: Ensure your dance education program is inclusive by incorporating diverse dance styles and considering all body types and abilities. The International Association for Dance Medicine & Science provides resources on dancer wellness and inclusion.

4. Engage with the Community: Connect students with the local dance community through performances, workshops, and guest speakers. This real-world exposure is invaluable.

5. Ongoing Professional Development: Stay updated with the latest in dance education through continuous training and professional development. Organizations like the National Dance Education Organization offer workshops, conferences, and resources for educators.

6. Feedback and Reflection: Regularly provide and encourage feedback. Engaging in reflective practice allows both students and educators to grow. Journals like the Journal of Dance Education can offer insights and methodologies for effective feedback and reflection.

By integrating these approaches, dance education can be significantly enhanced, leading to a more enriching experience for students and a more rewarding teaching journey for choreographers.

How to Display Dance Education Skills on Your Resume

12. Final Cut Pro (for editing performance videos)

Final Cut Pro is a professional video editing software developed by Apple Inc. It provides powerful tools for editing, enhancing, and producing high-quality performance videos, making it an ideal choice for choreographers looking to create polished presentations of their dance routines and choreographies.

Why It's Important

Final Cut Pro is crucial for a choreographer because it offers advanced editing tools and effects to enhance performance videos, enabling precise synchronization of visuals with music, seamless transitions, and high-quality output, ultimately showcasing choreography in its best light.

How to Improve Final Cut Pro (for editing performance videos) Skills

To enhance your editing performance in Final Cut Pro for choreography videos, follow these concise strategies:

1. Optimize Media and Proxy Workflow: Convert your media to ProRes and create proxies for smoother playback. Apple’s guide on media management provides detailed instructions.

2. Use Background Rendering: Enable background rendering in Preferences to save time. This Apple support page outlines how to adjust rendering settings.

3. Embrace Keyboard Shortcuts: Learn and customize keyboard shortcuts for faster editing. Refer to Apple’s keyboard shortcuts page for a comprehensive list.

4. Leverage Adjustment Layers for Effects: Use adjustment layers for applying effects to multiple clips simultaneously, streamlining the editing process. This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide.

5. Employ Multicam Editing: For multi-angle dance videos, use the Multicam feature to sync and switch angles easily. Apple’s Multicam editing guide offers detailed steps.

Implementing these strategies will significantly improve your editing workflow in Final Cut Pro, making it more efficient for choreography and performance videos.

How to Display Final Cut Pro (for editing performance videos) Skills on Your Resume