Dance is art because it allows you to express yourself and your ideas. The stage is your blank canvas, and the dance movements on it are the colors that represent your emotions and thoughts, which you bring to life through dance expressions.
Dance is defined as a performing art in which each planned movement has a meaningful value and is delivered in a rhythmic manner.
The first evidence of dance performances dates back to 8000 BCE when a cave painting in India was discovered. Dance is a thrilling form of non-verbal communication that conveys a story or emotion. If you enjoy dancing, you can pursue a career as a choreographer.
This blog provides details about the career as a choreographer, what they do, the various paths you can take to become a Choreographer, and the various job opportunities available as a Choreographer.
What does a Choreographer Do?
A Choreographer composes dance and plans and organizes dance patterns and movements. A choreographer can be thought of as a dance director in the same way that a film director instructs actors to act out a scene in a certain way in order to get the most out of the scene and deliver a story to the audience. The nature of the work involves the following responsibilities:
- A choreographer works with professional dancers to create an act that will be performed in front of an audience.
- They plan steps and guide dancers to perform them in order to express the mood of the soundtrack.
- Ensure all dancers are on time with the music so that routine looks good.
- They try to invent new moves to keep the routine interesting.
- A choreographer creates original dance routines by understanding each song and choreographing a dance to match the story’s interpretation through dance.
- A choreographer oversees rehearsals to achieve better performance. They also make certain that their choreography is captivating to an audience and encapsulates their interest.
Job Roles
- Dance Instructor: They force students to learn dance moves and routines while teaching them how to dance. They assist individuals in obtaining instruction in a variety of dance genres at all levels.
- Event Choreographer: They are in charge of creating dance routines to perform at events or shows. On personal or professional occasions, they choreograph.
- Dance performance artist: They perform a dance in theatres for the audience. They are extremely talented dancers.
- Corporate Choreographer: They prepare dance routines to perform as entertainment for event attendees.
- Artistic director: The executive who oversees the artistic direction, especially in a theatre or dance company, is known as the artistic director.
- Dance critic: It is the duty of dance critics to watch live dance performances and write about them in publications or on television.
- Director: Whether on stage or in a movie, dance productions are generally supervised by dance directors.
Career path for becoming a Choreographer
Path 1
- Take Arts stream in 12th grade
- Complete Bachelor in Fine Arts in Dance
- Finish your Masters in Fine Arts in Dance.
- Take up professional dance training.
Path 2
- Take up any stream
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in any field of study that interests you.
- Start receiving professional dance instruction to develop your dancer skills.
Salary of Choreographer in different stages of career
Choreographers’ earning potential is determined by their talent and recognition. The more famous you are, the more likely you are to increase your earning capacity; otherwise, this career has its own financial ups and downs and requires persistence as an important quality in you if you want to be a choreographer.
Profile | Salary |
Senior Dance Trainer | ₹ 4.5 L |
Lead Dance Trainer | ₹ 5.2 L |
Dance Instructor | ₹ 2.7 L |
Choreographer | ₹ 3.5 L |
6 Skills required to be Choreographer
- Muscular Flexibility: Choreographers value flexibility because it allows them to add finishing touches to their moves, and add more dynamism to their performance.
- Sense of rhythm: As a dancer, one must be in sync with the music beats and be able to identify the time signatures of the track.
- Physical strength: It is critical for a dancer to be able the dancer to stabilize their range of motion and extended positions.
- Creativity: Being creative allows a choreographer to think outside the box and keep their creative juices flowing in order to create a masterpiece.
- Networking skills: Networking skills are essential in this profession if you want to make your mark in the industry and make connections to advance your career as a choreographer.
- Leadership: As a Choreographer, you are required to train a sequence to the performers you are required to have leadership skills in order to command a smooth execution.
Is Choreographer a Good Career Option?
There are numerous positions available in the field of dance; prospective employees can start out as dancers or instructors. The field they select determines how far their career in choreography will advance.
Those who start out as dancers in theatre productions, movies, and performing arts companies will have a great opportunity, but becoming a great choreographer takes time and effort.
The work is physically demanding, and it takes a lot of practice and effort to advance in your career. Although you might experience some difficulties at first, with better guidance and perseverance, the job could bring you fame.
Type of Industries Hiring Choreographer
- Movie Production Houses
- Music Video Production Houses
- Advertising Agencies
- Schools and Colleges
- Dance schools and Institutions
- Film Industry
- Television
- Corporates and Social Events
Top Recruiter for Choreographer
Here is a list of top places where a choreographer can work.
- Dharma Productions
- T-Series
- Yash Raj Flims
- Universal Pictures
- Bhansali Productions
- Warner Bros
- Bajaj Telefilms
- UTV Motion Pictures
- Paramount Pictures
- Bhartiya Natya Academy
- Eros International
- Rajshri Production
Courses to Upskill as Choreographer
- Certificate in Dance
- Associate in Arts in Dance Performance
- Certificate in Performance
- Associate in Arts in Dance Degree
- Certificate in Belly Dancing
- Kathak Dance
Qualification to become a Choreographer
Degrees in India
Although formal education is not necessary to become a choreographer, you must enrol in dance classes to advance your dancing abilities.
Undergraduate in India
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance
- Bachelor of Visual Arts in Dance
- Bachelor of Performing Arts
- Bachelor of Arts in Dance
- Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Music
Postgraduate in India
- MA in Fine Arts in Dance
- MA in Dance
- MSc in Dance Education
- MA in Choreography and Performance
Degrees Abroad
You can pursue a BA (Hons) with Dance Foundation, BA in Dance, BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and BA in Dance and Music. You can also pursue a Masters and PhD in Dance.
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I want to know More!
Books
- Choreographing the folk by Anthea Kraut
- Choreographing From Within by Diana Green
- The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp
- The Creative Formula by Twyla Tharp
- Embodied Philosophy in Dance by Einav Katan
Famous Personalities
- Saroj Khan
- Farah Khan
- Ganesh Acharya
- Remo D’souza
- Ganesh Hegde
- Terence Lewis
- Vaibhavi Merchant
- Prabhu Deva
- Chinni Prakash
- Shiamak Davar
- Geeta Kapoor
- Ahmed Khan
- Bosco Caesar
It is perfect for improving your dancing abilities, broadening your knowledge of the subject, and keeping up with the most recent trends in the business. Best Wishes on your journey to becoming a Choreographer.
FAQs
How many years does it take to become a choreographer?
A high school diploma or its equivalent, more than five years of dance experience, and intensive training are typically requirements for employment as a choreographer.
Is a choreographer a good career?
There are numerous positions available in the field of dance; prospective employees can start out as dancers or instructors. The field they select determines how far their career in choreography will advance.
How much does a choreographer get?
The average annual salary for a choreographer in India is around 3,50,000, but if you gain enough recognition in the field, your earnings potential increases to more than 4 million.
How hard is it to be a choreographer?
To become a choreographer, you must first gain dance performance experience and build a name for yourself in the field so that choreographer requests come your way.
What skills do choreographers need?
Muscular Flexibility
Sense of rhythm
Physical strength
Creativity
Networking skills
Leadership
Who is the most famous choreographer?
Remo D’souza
Ganesh Hegde
Terence Lewis
Vaibhavi Merchant
Prabhu Deva