Top 12 Dancer Skills to Put on Your Resume

In the competitive world of dance, standing out to recruiters and choreographers is crucial, and a well-crafted resume showcasing your unique skills can make all the difference. This article highlights the top 12 skills that every dancer should include on their resume to capture attention and demonstrate their versatility, creativity, and dedication to the art form.

Dancer Skills

1. Choreography
2. Ballet
3. Jazz
4. Hip-Hop
5. Contemporary
6. Tap
7. Improvisation
8. Salsa
9. Ballroom
10. Flexibility
11. Stamina
12. Coordination

1. Choreography

Choreography, in the context of dance, is the art of designing and arranging dance movements and patterns for dancers to perform.

Why It's Important

Choreography is important for a dancer as it provides the structure and framework for their movements, allowing them to express emotions, tell stories, and connect with the audience through a meticulously designed sequence of steps and gestures.

How to Improve Choreography Skills

Improving choreography involves enhancing creativity, technique, and expression. Here are concise tips for dancers looking to elevate their choreography:

1. Study Various Dance Styles: Exposure to different styles fuels creativity. Explore online classes and tutorials to diversify your movement vocabulary.

2. Watch and Analyze Performances: Observing professional performances can inspire new ideas. Platforms like YouTube offer endless resources for study and inspiration.

3. Collaborate with Others: Working with other dancers or choreographers can introduce new perspectives and ideas. Find collaboration opportunities through DancePlug.

4. Experiment with Music and Themes: Play with different music genres and thematic concepts to challenge your creativity. Spotify is a great tool for exploring diverse music.

5. Practice Improvisation: Improvisation helps discover spontaneous movements that can be incorporated into choreography. Set aside regular time for improvisation sessions.

6. Take Feedback Constructively: Attend workshops or classes where you can receive feedback from professionals. Websites like MasterClass often offer insights from industry experts.

7. Record and Review: Regularly recording practice sessions helps in self-assessment and improvement. Use it as a tool to refine and polish your choreography.

Remember, improving choreography is an ongoing process of learning, experimenting, and refining. Stay curious and open to growth.

How to Display Choreography Skills on Your Resume

2. Ballet

Ballet, for a dancer, is a highly technical form of dance that emphasizes precision, strength, and grace, often performed in choreographed works with music.

Why It's Important

Ballet is foundational for dancers as it develops technique, discipline, and body awareness, serving as a crucial base for mastering various dance styles and enhancing performance quality.

How to Improve Ballet Skills

To improve in ballet as a dancer, consider the following concise steps:

1. Consistent Practice: Regular, focused practice is essential. Aim for a daily routine that includes barre work to refine technique and center work to improve balance and performance quality.

2. Cross-Training: Incorporate Pilates and yoga for flexibility, core strength, and injury prevention. Strength training can also enhance your power and endurance.

3. Nutrition and Hydration: Follow a balanced diet rich in nutrients. Hydration is crucial for muscle performance and recovery. The International Association for Dance Medicine & Science provides guidelines on dancer health and nutrition.

4. Mental Preparation: Visualization and mindfulness can improve performance and reduce anxiety. Consider techniques from sports psychology tailored for dancers, as outlined by the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries.

5. Feedback and Coaching: Seek regular feedback from instructors and consider private lessons. Constructive criticism is vital for growth. Attend workshops and masterclasses for exposure to different teaching styles and techniques.

6. Rest and Recovery: Adequate rest is as important as practice. Incorporate rest days into your schedule to prevent overtraining and injuries. Learn about the importance of rest from The Dancer’s Way book on dancer wellness.

Focusing on these areas, consistently over time, will lead to significant improvements in ballet technique, performance, and overall dancer health.

How to Display Ballet Skills on Your Resume

3. Jazz

Jazz, in the context of dance, is a high-energy performance style that blends African rhythms, European concert dance, and American popular culture, characterized by dynamic footwork, quick turns, and expressive movements.

Why It's Important

Jazz is important for a dancer because it offers a rich vocabulary of movements that emphasize improvisation, expression, and rhythm, allowing dancers to explore and communicate emotions through dynamic and stylistically diverse performances.

How to Improve Jazz Skills

Improving as a jazz dancer involves a blend of technique refinement, versatility, and performance quality. Here are concise steps to enhance your jazz dancing skills:

1. Master the Basics: Ensure a solid foundation by mastering basic jazz steps and techniques. Consider online tutorials like DancePlug's classes for guidance.

2. Flexibility and Strength Training: Incorporate a routine focusing on flexibility and core strength. Pilates and yoga can be beneficial. Check out Blogilates for targeted workouts.

3. Take Various Dance Classes: Jazz is a versatile form; explore other dance styles to improve adaptability. Websites like STEEZY offer a variety of classes.

4. Watch Performances: Study performances by professional jazz dancers on platforms like YouTube to understand different styles and expressions.

5. Practice Improvisation: Jazz dance is expressive; work on your improvisation skills to music you enjoy. This helps in developing your unique style.

6. Feedback and Workshops: Attend workshops and seek feedback from experienced dancers. Platforms like Eventbrite can be useful to find relevant events.

7. Perform Regularly: Whether in class, at local events, or in competitions, regularly performing helps in gaining confidence and stage presence.

By consistently working on these areas, you'll see significant improvements in your jazz dancing abilities.

How to Display Jazz Skills on Your Resume

4. Hip-Hop

Hip-hop, in the context of a dancer, refers to a street dance style that evolved from the hip-hop culture, characterized by its vibrant, energetic movements, and freestyle expression, often performed to hip-hop music.

Why It's Important

Hip-hop is important for a dancer because it offers a powerful means of self-expression, emphasizes freedom in movement, encourages creativity, and connects them to a rich cultural history, fostering community and identity within the dance world.

How to Improve Hip-Hop Skills

Improving hip-hop dancing involves a combination of regular practice, learning from professionals, and embracing the culture. Here are concise steps with resources:

1. Master the Basics: Start with foundational moves. Steezy offers a variety of beginner lessons.
2. Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Set a schedule for practice.
3. Watch and Learn: Study performances from professionals. YouTube is a great resource; channels like YAK Films showcase diverse hip-hop styles.
4. Take Workshops: Attend workshops to learn from experienced dancers. Websites like Eventbrite often list hip-hop dance workshops.
5. Freestyle: Develop your unique style by freestyling, pushing creativity and confidence.
6. Stay Updated: Follow trends and new styles within hip-hop to stay relevant. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are excellent for this.
7. Feedback and Collaboration: Practice with others and seek feedback. Collaborating can introduce new moves and styles.
8. Understand the Culture: Hip-hop is more than dance; it's a culture. Delve into its history and elements to deepen your connection and understanding. The Universal Hip Hop Museum provides valuable insights.

By following these steps and utilizing these resources, you can significantly improve your hip-hop dance skills.

How to Display Hip-Hop Skills on Your Resume

5. Contemporary

Contemporary dance is a fluid, expressive dance genre that combines elements of various dance styles including modern, jazz, lyrical, and ballet, focusing on freedom of movement, improvisation, versatility, and the exploration of complex emotions and narratives.

Why It's Important

Contemporary dance is important for a dancer because it encourages versatility, combining elements from various dance styles to express emotions and stories through fluid movements. It fosters creativity, physical expression, and technical skill, allowing dancers to push boundaries and explore their artistic identity.

How to Improve Contemporary Skills

Improving as a contemporary dancer requires a blend of physical conditioning, technical skill enhancement, and creative exploration. Here are concise steps to follow:

1. Strengthen Your Core: A strong core is vital. Practice Pilates and yoga for flexibility and strength.

2. Technique Classes: Enroll in regular contemporary dance classes. Focus on mastering techniques.

3. Cross-Training: Engage in cross-training to improve endurance and prevent injuries.

4. Improvise: Spend time improvising to enhance your creativity. Explore improvisation exercises.

5. Watch Performances: Study performances by professionals. Websites like Dance Magazine offer resources and inspiration.

6. Feedback and Reflect: Seek feedback from instructors and peers. Reflect on your performances by recording and reviewing them.

7. Nutrition and Rest: Maintain a balanced diet and ensure adequate rest for recovery.

8. Join Workshops and Masterclasses: Participate in workshops to learn from various choreographers and expand your skill set.

9. Choreograph: Create your pieces to develop your unique style and understand choreographic processes.

10. Mindfulness and Mental Health: Practice mindfulness and take care of your mental health. Resources like The Mindful Dancer can guide you.

Consistency in these practices, along with a passion for continuous learning, will significantly enhance your skills as a contemporary dancer.

How to Display Contemporary Skills on Your Resume

6. Tap

Tap dancing is a dance form characterized by using the sounds of tap shoes striking the floor as a form of percussion.

Why It's Important

Tap is important for a dancer because it enhances rhythm, coordination, and musicality, crucial skills for a well-rounded performer.

How to Improve Tap Skills

Improving your tap dancing skills requires focused practice, technique refinement, and incorporating feedback. Here are concise steps to enhance your tap dancing:

1. Master the Basics: Ensure solid proficiency in basic steps. Practice regularly to improve rhythm and timing (Dance Magazine).

2. Take Classes: Join tap classes at different levels to challenge yourself and learn from others (Steps on Broadway).

3. Practice Slowly: Slow practice helps in understanding and executing steps accurately before increasing speed (Dance Spirit).

4. Use a Mirror: Practice in front of a mirror to self-correct posture and technique.

5. Record Yourself: Record your practice sessions to analyze and improve your performance.

6. Focus on Sound: Pay attention to the clarity and quality of your tap sounds. Aim for precision in sound production.

7. Strength and Flexibility Training: Incorporate exercises that enhance lower body strength and flexibility for better control (The Rockettes).

8. Attend Workshops and Masterclasses: Learn from experienced tap dancers and incorporate new styles and techniques (American Tap Dance Foundation).

9. Watch Professional Tap Dancers: Study performances by professionals to get inspired and learn different styles (YouTube).

10. Feedback and Mentorship: Seek constructive feedback from instructors or mentors and apply their advice (Dance Teacher Web).

Improving in tap dance is a continuous journey of practice, learning, and refinement.

How to Display Tap Skills on Your Resume

7. Improvisation

Improvisation in dance is the process of spontaneously creating movement without pre-planned choreography, allowing the dancer to express themselves in the moment through their body.

Why It's Important

Improvisation is crucial for dancers as it fosters creativity, enhances adaptability, and improves spontaneous reaction to music and space, allowing for a deeper, more authentic expression of emotion and storytelling through movement.

How to Improve Improvisation Skills

Improvisation, particularly for dancers, is about merging creativity, technique, and spontaneity. To enhance your improvisation skills, consider these concise tips:

1. Practice Regularly: Dedicate time to freestyle dancing, allowing your body to move without pre-planned choreography. This helps build muscle memory and confidence.
2. Expand Your Vocabulary: Learn various dance styles to incorporate new movements into your improvisation. This diversity enriches your dance expression.
3. Listen to the Music: Truly engaging with the music, its rhythm, tempo, and emotion, can inspire your movements and make your improvisation more connected and expressive.
4. Take Improvisation Workshops: Participate in workshops or classes focused on improvisation. This provides a safe space to explore and receive constructive feedback.
5. Watch and Learn: Observe other dancers improvising, either in person or through videos, to gain inspiration and new ideas. Reflect on what you liked and how you can incorporate that into your style.
6. Mind and Body Connection: Practice mindfulness and connect deeply with your body. Understanding its capabilities and limits can enhance your movement quality.
7. Collaborate: Improvise with other dancers. The interaction can lead to unexpected and inspiring exchanges of energy and ideas.

For more tips and in-depth guidance, consider exploring resources like:

• Dance Magazine's Improvisation Tips
• The book "Dance Improvisations" by Joyce Morgenroth on Amazon
• The Improvisation Tool Kit from Dance Magazine for practical exercises.

Remember, the key to improving improvisation is practice, openness to new experiences, and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone.

How to Display Improvisation Skills on Your Resume

8. Salsa

Salsa is a lively, sensual dance that originated in the Caribbean, combining elements of Latin and Afro-Cuban dance styles, characterized by rhythmic steps, turns, and intricate partner movements.

Why It's Important

For a dancer, salsa is important because it enhances musicality, coordination, and cultural appreciation, while also providing a platform for social interaction and creative expression.

How to Improve Salsa Skills

To improve your salsa dancing, focus on the following key aspects:

1. Timing and Rhythm: Master the beat of salsa music. Practice by listening to salsa tracks and tapping along to the rhythm. This guide can help you find the 1 in salsa music.

2. Footwork: Sharpen your basic steps and turns. Fast, precise footwork makes for impressive dancing. Addicted2Salsa offers excellent tutorials for various levels.

3. Body Movement: Salsa requires fluid body movements, including hip action and shoulder rolls. For body movement techniques, check out My Salsa Online.

4. Partner Work: Learn to lead or follow effectively. Communication through hand signals and body language is key. Latin Dance Movement has useful tips for partner work.

5. Social Dancing: Practice dancing with different partners in social settings to adapt to various styles and improve your responsiveness. Search for local salsa socials or events where you can practice.

6. Workshops and Classes: Attend workshops and classes regularly to learn new moves and techniques. Websites like Salsa Classes Near Me can help find local options.

7. Performance and Competition: Join a performance team or compete. This will push you to perfect your technique and presentation.

By focusing on these areas and consistently practicing, you can significantly improve your salsa dancing.

How to Display Salsa Skills on Your Resume

9. Ballroom

Ballroom, in the context of dancing, refers to a style of partner dancing that encompasses a wide range of formal and social dances, including Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and Quickstep. These dances are characterized by fluid movements, precise steps, and elegant postures, typically performed in a ballroom setting.

Why It's Important

Ballroom dancing is important for a dancer as it enhances physical fitness, coordination, and grace, while also fostering an understanding of rhythm, musicality, and partnership dynamics. It offers a diverse repertoire that enriches a dancer's versatility and performance skills.

How to Improve Ballroom Skills

Improving in ballroom dancing involves a combination of practice, technique refinement, and learning from others. Here are concise steps to enhance your ballroom skills:

1. Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Dedicate time each day or week for practice. Use a mirror to self-correct and refine movements.

2. Take Lessons: Enroll in classes with a professional instructor. Online platforms like Dance Vision offer tutorials for different skill levels.

3. Attend Workshops: Workshops can provide specialized training and new perspectives. Look for local or online workshops to attend.

4. Compete: Competitions provide experience and feedback. Check out the USA Dance for events.

5. Study Videos: Watch performances of top dancers on platforms like YouTube. Observe their technique, styling, and musicality.

6. Partner Feedback: Practice with a partner and give each other constructive feedback. Communication is vital in partner dances.

7. Physical Fitness: Enhance your stamina, flexibility, and strength through cross-training. Pilates and yoga can improve core strength and posture, crucial for ballroom dancing.

8. Mental Preparation: Visualization and mental rehearsal can improve performance. Read more about mental strategies on Psychology Today.

By combining these approaches, you'll see gradual improvement in your ballroom dancing skills. Remember, progress takes time and patience.

How to Display Ballroom Skills on Your Resume

10. Flexibility

Flexibility in a dancer refers to the ability to move joints through their full range of motion with ease and control, essential for executing dance movements with fluidity, grace, and technical precision.

Why It's Important

Flexibility is crucial for dancers as it enhances their range of motion, allowing for more fluid, precise, and expressive movements, while also reducing the risk of injuries.

How to Improve Flexibility Skills

Improving flexibility, especially for dancers, involves consistent practice and the right techniques. Here are concise steps with useful resources:

1. Warm-Up: Always start with a warm-up to prevent injuries. Dynamic stretches like leg swings and arm circles are ideal.

2. Static Stretching: After warming up, engage in static stretching, holding each stretch for 15-30 seconds to improve flexibility over time.

3. Yoga and Pilates: Incorporate Yoga and Pilates exercises into your routine, focusing on flexibility and core strength.

4. Consistency and Patience: Flexibility improvement takes time and regular practice. Dedicate a few minutes daily to stretching exercises.

5. Stay Hydrated and Maintain a Healthy Diet: Proper hydration and nutrition support muscle recovery and flexibility. Nutrition Guide for Dancers.

Remember, never force a stretch to the point of pain, and consider working with a coach or physical therapist to ensure your technique is safe and effective.

How to Display Flexibility Skills on Your Resume

11. Stamina

Stamina, in the context of a dancer, refers to the ability to sustain prolonged physical effort, enabling them to perform intense dance routines without undue fatigue.

Why It's Important

Stamina is crucial for dancers as it enables them to perform intense routines with high energy and endurance, reducing fatigue and improving overall performance quality.

How to Improve Stamina Skills

Improving stamina, particularly for a dancer, involves a combination of regular cardiovascular exercise, strength training, proper nutrition, and adequate rest. Focus on:

1. Cardiovascular Exercise: Engage in activities like running, cycling, or swimming 3-5 times a week for at least 30 minutes to improve heart health and endurance.

2. Strength Training: Incorporate bodyweight exercises or weights 2-3 times a week to build muscle stamina and resilience.

3. Proper Nutrition: Consume a balanced diet rich in proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Hydration is key, so drink plenty of water. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers great insights on nutrition for athletes and active individuals.

4. Adequate Rest: Ensure you get 7-9 hours of sleep per night and incorporate rest days into your routine to allow your body to recover. The National Sleep Foundation provides guidelines on optimal sleep duration.

5. Consistency and Progression: Gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts to avoid plateaus. Consistency in training, nutrition, and rest is crucial for continuous improvement.

By integrating these practices into your lifestyle, you can significantly enhance your stamina as a dancer.

How to Display Stamina Skills on Your Resume

12. Coordination

Coordination in a dancer refers to the ability to smoothly and efficiently execute movements that require multiple body parts to work together harmoniously and precisely.

Why It's Important

Coordination is crucial for a dancer as it ensures graceful, precise, and synchronized movements, enabling the effective expression of artistry and emotion through dance.

How to Improve Coordination Skills

To improve coordination as a dancer, focus on the following strategies:

1. Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Dedicate time each day to practice your routines to enhance muscle memory and coordination. Dance Magazine offers insights and tips on routines that can help.

2. Cross-Training: Engage in activities that challenge your body in different ways, such as yoga, Pilates, or martial arts, to improve overall balance and coordination. Pilates Foundation provides resources and exercises beneficial for dancers.

3. Slow Down Movements: Breaking down dance moves and performing them slowly helps in understanding and mastering the coordination required. Once you have it down slowly, gradually increase the speed. Stezy offers online classes that break down complex dance moves.

4. Use a Mirror: Practice in front of a mirror to get immediate visual feedback, helping you adjust and improve your coordination and alignment.

5. Visualize: Mental rehearsal can significantly improve physical coordination. Visualize the dance routine in your mind to enhance muscle memory. Psychology Today discusses the power of visualization in improving performance.

6. Record and Analyze: Record your practice sessions and analyze the playback to identify areas of improvement. This method offers a different perspective on your coordination and performance.

By incorporating these strategies into your training regimen, you can significantly improve your coordination as a dancer.

How to Display Coordination Skills on Your Resume