Dance Resume Examples & Templates for 2024

A dancer conveys ideas, emotions, and narratives through movement and choreography, using their body as the medium. They significantly contribute to cultural enrichment and inspire audiences with their performances. To secure opportunities and recognition in the dance world, it's essential to have a well-prepared portfolio and a captivating statement included in a dance resume.

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Dance Resume Example

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Entry-Level / Junior Dancer Resume Example

A junior dancer is an entry-level position in the field of performing arts. Their primary role is to assist in dance productions, contribute fresh ideas, and support senior dancers and choreographers. They help ensure that dance performances are executed smoothly and creatively. Here’s a sample entry-level/junior dancer resume:

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Mid-Level Dancer Resume Example

A mid-level dancer occupies a role between entry-level and senior positions within the performing arts hierarchy. This position typically involves more complex tasks and greater creative responsibility and often includes mentoring junior dancers. Here’s a sample resume for a mid-level dancer:

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Experienced / Senior Dancer Resume Example

A senior dancer is a highly experienced professional responsible for leading major dance productions and guiding the artistic direction of performances within a company. They manage teams of dancers, interact with choreographers and directors at the highest levels, and ensure that performances meet both artistic and technical standards. Their role involves a significant amount of leadership, innovation, and decision-making. Here’s a sample senior dancer resume:

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Resume Templates for Dancers

After analyzing 11 million resumes created with the Zety Resume Builder, we've identified the top 3 template picks for dancers:

Cascade

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A clean white background combined with black text creates a simple yet elegant look. This innovative resume template combines the best of infographic and traditional designs for a seamless blend. Ideal for job seekers who prefer a reverse-chronological format, it features a narrow sidebar on the left, perfect for mapping out your career timeline.

Concept

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Featuring a modern design with an eye-catching timeline, this resume template is both professional and sophisticated. It's an excellent choice for office jobs and managerial positions. The elegant layout ensures your credentials stand out, offering a perfect balance of style and functionality.

Crisp

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Designed to showcase your creativity, this unique resume template keeps the focus on the content. With unconventional content placement and distinctive icons, it provides a visually appealing format that sets you apart from the crowd.

How to Write a Dance Resume:

1. Choose the Best Format for Your Dance Resume

Imagine stepping onto a brightly lit stage, your audience eagerly anticipating your performance. The first impression is everything, just like the format of your resume. Choose a reliable resume structure, like the reverse chronological format, to ensure your resume shines right from the start.

Here’s how to format a dancer’s resume template:

• Format: use the reverse-chronological resume format to underline your most recent and significant achievements.
• Resume fonts: stick with professional fonts such as Calibri or Didot.
• Line spacing: 1 to 1.15.
• Font size: 11–12 points.
• Resume headings: 13–14 points.
• Resume margins: 1 inch all the way around.
• File type: PDF format is best unless the company specifies otherwise.
• Length: aim for a one-page resume. If needed, omit less critical information and focus on your most impressive achievements.

Add these resume sections:

• Header: Your name and contact information.
• Summary: A brief overview of your top accomplishments and skills.
• Experience: Highlight your finest dance roles and achievements.
• Education: Detail relevant training and academic achievements.
• Skills: List skills that match the job description.
• Other sections: Add relevant certifications, performances, awards, or projects.

Pro Tip: Wondering how long should your dance resume be? Go for one page. Casting directors won’t read any more than this.

The reverse-chronological format is your best choice in most situations, but you may also consider other resume types. This guide will show you the difference: 3 Resume Formats: How to Choose the Best One [Examples].

Still not sure about the design rules for a job-winning dancer resume? See our dedicated guide: Resume Layout: 20+ Templates, Examples & Design Guide.

2. Describe Your Dance Work Experience Effectively

Think about the thrill of nailing a perfect performance. Your work experience section should bring that same excitement to the person reviewing your resume. Here’s how to make it impactful.

Begin with your most recent position and ensure it corresponds with the job description, so you’ll likely make a WOW effect.

To customize your resume:

• Put your newest job title first.
• Add the company’s name and start and finish dates.
• Write a short dancer job description.
• Add six bullet points.
• Show achievement with the PAR (Problem-Action-Result) formula.

Here are some examples of responsibilities for a dance resume:

Dancer Keywords for a Resume

• Perform and execute original dance routines, ensuring high-quality and captivating performances.
• Develop choreography and dance sequences, collaborating with creative teams to meet production goals.
• Utilize various dance styles and techniques, including ballet, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop.
• Conduct dance workshops and training sessions, fostering skill development and creativity.
• Manage dance projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely rehearsals and performance readiness.
• Organize and participate in dance showcases, coordinating with directors and other dancers.
• Engage with audiences to enhance the performance experience, providing memorable interactions.
• Use music editing software to create and modify soundtracks for dance performances.
• Stay updated with industry trends and techniques, continuously improving dance skills.
• Collaborate with marketing teams to create promotional dance videos and social media content.

Remember to incorporate action verbs that effectively highlight your responsibilities and achievements. Here are some action verbs for a dancer's resume:

Dancer Resume Action Verbs

• Performed
• Choreographed
• Led
• Collaborated
• Taught
• Executed
• Produced
• Mentored
• Directed
• Organized

3. Craft a Comprehensive Education Section

Reflect on your days in dance school, where you honed your craft and built the foundation for your career. Your education is a crucial part of your journey, and where you place it on your resume matters. If you’ve recently graduated from a top dance academy, showcase it proudly at the top. If it’s been a while since you graduated, position it lower on your resume.

Start your education section with the basics:

• College Name and Location.
• Years in School.
• Degree.

Then, add details that say more about your dancer achievements and skills.

Note: Just planning to study dance? Choose from dance schools, conservatories, colleges, and universities that are NASD-accredited. You can also check out a list of the best college dance programs here.

Want your resume education section to shine like Misha Baryshnikov on stage? Check out our guide: How to Put Your Education on a Resume [Tips & Examples].

4. How to Put Skills on a Resume for a Dancer

Your skills are your toolkit, the elements that make your performances unforgettable. Carefully review the job offer and highlight the required skills. Source additional relevant skills from other job postings online. Then, list the most important ones in a dedicated section of your artistic resume.

Dance Resume Skills

Soft skills:

• Motivation
• Discipline
• Resilience
• Stamina
• Agility
• Flexibility
• Sense of balance and coordination
• Active listening
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Stress management
• Mental endurance
• Communication
• Integrity
• Teamwork
• Sense of community
• Creative skills
• Active learning
• Capacity for feedback
• Attention to detail

Hard skills:

• Knowledge of chosen dancing techniques (ballet, contemporary, jazz, street, hip hop, etc.)
• Understanding music
• Movement memory
• Facial expression
• Gestures
• Pathways
• Weight transfer
• Stillness
• Floor work
• Dynamics
• Movement patterns
• Movements size
• Dancing in duets and trios: mirroring, reactions, formations
• Rhythmics
• Understanding space

The examples combine soft skills and hard skills of a successful professional dancer.

Pro Tip: If you're aiming for a grant or other non-job goal, you can omit skills. In some cases, listing them might appear unnecessary.

5. Add Extra Sections to Your Dance Resume

Showcase the full range of your talents and experiences by adding extra sections to your dance resume. Here are some examples:

1. Performances & Productions

List significant performances and productions you've been a part of, including the role you played and the company or theater.

2. Dance Competitions

Include details of any dance competitions you have participated in, highlighting any awards or recognitions.

3. Workshops & Masterclasses

Detail any workshops or masterclasses you have attended or conducted, which show your commitment to continuous learning and sharing your expertise.

4. Choreography

Highlight any choreographic work you have done, whether for performances, competitions, or teaching.

5. Teaching Experience

If you have experience teaching dance, this section can detail where and what styles you have taught.

Need more ideas for sections to add to your dancer resume? Use our guide with expert tips and samples: Additional Resume Categories that Matter.

6. Write a Captivating Dance Resume Summary or Objective

Imagine your resume summary or objective as the grand opening of your performance. It needs to be captivating and memorable, grabbing the attention of the person reviewing your resume instantly.

Here’s how to write a resume summary or objective:

1. Start with an adjective like creative or passionate.
2. Add your title (e.g., Dancer, Junior Dancer, Senior Dancer).
3. List years of experience (e.g., 1, 2+, 5).
4. State your goal (e.g., to elevate performances at DanceMotion Company).
5. Mention your biggest accomplishment (e.g., performed in an award-winning show).
6. Proofread to avoid mistakes and typos.

Pro Tip: Before sending your resume for an audition, make sure it has all the required information. Dance companies usually specify their requirements in the audition description. Sometimes they want to know your height, weight, eye color, or even hair color. You can include these in your resume header.

Want to see more examples of the best resume summaries and objectives? See our guides: Resume Summary Examples (30+ Professional Summary Statements) and 50+ Resume Objective Examples: Career Objectives for All Jobs (+Tips).

7. Write a Dancer Cover Letter

It takes two to tango. So your resume needs a partner—a well-composed dance cover letter. Without it, your application might seem incomplete. Show your genuine passion for the position and explain why you are the perfect fit.

To write a convincing dance cover letter:

• Format your cover letter professionally.
• Start your cover letter with the hiring manager’s name.
• Write an opening sentence that captivates and engages them.
• In the second paragraph, demonstrate your understanding of the role and its duties.
• Highlight what your dance skills and experience can bring to the table.
• End your cover letter with a compelling statement that leaves a positive impression.

Pair your cover letter template with a matching resume template. In the creative industry, such as dance, this attention to detail will be noticed.

A dance cover letter written this way can be a real game changer.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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Are you more than just a dancer? Check out our other resume guides for creative industry pros:

• Acting Resume Sample
• Artist Resume Sample
• Art Director Resume Sample
• Art Teacher Resume Sample
• Music Resume Sample
• DJ Resume
• Model Resume Sample
• Performing Arts Resume Sample
• Theater Resume
• Professional Resume Examples

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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• https://www.britannica.com/art/dance/Differences-among-dancers
• https://www.berklee.edu/careers/roles/dance-teacher