You can dance at school as well as at your local dance club, it's part of the National Curriculum. It is also possible to continue your study into higher education. If you haven't already you might want to consider the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

The career prospects divide into two major categories: performers and teachers. The majority of performers will be working in cabaret, at home and abroad, in groups on television, cruise ships, in musical shows on stage or in one of the few permanent ballet companies. On the ballroom dance side a few couples will be able to make a living by giving dance demonstrations and appearing in cabaret.

To appear in television or on the stage an Equity card is needed and this is not just a routine matter. Competent teachers will know the problems and should be consulted. Theatrical producers are requiring dancers to be ever more widely trained and to be able to perform all forms of theatre dance to a high standard, often to sing, and sometimes act.

Audition experience will give a greater insight into requirements of today's producers and choreographers as well as exposure in these areas. We would recommend The Stage and The Dancing Times as the most important resources of information to give you the opportunity to apply for auditions. The Dancing Times has also published an Audition Guide to Europe.

Teaching qualification
The qualifications appropriate to teaching dance fall into two categories: Those needed if you hope to teach in the public sector and those appropriate to teachers in the private sector.

Public Sector - A number of universities have degree courses in which dance forms a substantial part. These courses will be of three or four years duration and will lead to a degree or diploma. If the intention is to teach in the public sector a teaching diploma is also needed. Entry requirements are those normally applicable to the universities and three (maybe two) A levels will be needed. Government or local government grants may be available as for other university courses. University courses will also include related subjects other than dance.

Private Sector - Teachers in the private sector would normally hold a teaching qualification of a recognised Association of teachers of dancing such as the International Dance Teachers' Association. There are a number of such organisations and those recognised will be members of either the British Dance Council or the Council for Dance Education and Training. It is unlikely that anyone would be able to find a teaching post in the private sector unless they held such a qualification.





Have you considered where else you can employ your dance skills and knowledge? You might wish to employ you skills directly as a dance teacher, choreographer or artistic director. Or perhaps use your knowledge to specialise in your career, as a dance physiotherapist for example. Alternatively your forte might lie in the set design or stage management surrounding dance.

Examinations are available in all styles of dance!

Medal Tests
For the experienced and skilled young dancer Medal Tests are available which require some technical ability in performance. Starting with a 1 Dance test, they can be continue to a 2 dance test - Bronze Medal, 3 dance test - Silver Medal, and 4 dance test - Gold Medal. Each test being slightly more demanding than the previous.

Social Dance Awards
For those of you who do not feel quite ready to progress to medal tests. Awards can be taken for 1 dance, 2 dances, 3 dances, and 4 dances. Plaques are available in various colours and sizes.

General Graded Examination
Available in Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Theatre Craft and Musical Theatre, this progressive series of tests start from Primary Grade, then through Grades 1-6, depending on the dance discipline.

British Dance Council
Terpsichore House, 240 Merton Road, South Wimbledon, London, SW19 1EQ
Tel: 020 8545 0085 Fax: 020 8545 0225
Web: http://www.british-dance-council.org/

Dancing Times and Ballroom Dancing Times
Clerkenwell House, 45-47 Clerkenwell Green, London, EC1R OEB
Tel: 020 7250 3006 Fax: 020 7253 6679
Web: http://www.dancing-times.co.uk/

The Stage
Stage House, 47 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3XT.
Tel: 020 7403 1818 Fax: 020 7403 1418
Email: info@thestage .co.uk Web:http://www.thestage.co.uk

British Equity Association
Guild House, Upper St Martins Lane, London WC2H 9EG
Tel: 020 7379 6000

The Central Council of Physical Recreation
(MOVEMENT & DANCE LIAISON GROUP)
Francis House, Francis Street, London, SW1P 1DE
Tel:  020 7854 8500 Fax: 020 7854 8501
Email: info@ccpr.org.uk Web: http://www.ccpr.org.uk/

The Arts Council of England
14 Great Peter Street, London SW1P 3NQ
Tel: 020 7333 0100 Fax: 020 7973 6590 Minicom: 020 7793 6564
Web: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/

Royal Society of Arts - RSA
8 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6EZ
Tel: 020 7930 5115
Email: general@rsa.org.uk Web: http://www.rsa.org.uk/

Stage Dance Council International
113, Braemar Road, Fallowfield
Manchester, M14 6PQ
Tel: 0161 224 5231

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Gulliver House, Madeira Walk, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1EU.
Tel: 01753 810753
Fax: 01753 810666
Web: http://www.theaward.org