Connor, 20, is from Newcastle. He works as a professional contemporary dancer, which takes him on tour around the UK and Europe. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.
I'm Connor. I'm 20 years old and I'm a contemporary dancer.
I started dancing when I was three years old. I started in Latin and ballroom and then I tried breakdancing, popping, locking and then eventually, when I was 10, ballet and contemporary. When I was about 15 I realised that this is actually what I want to do as a career and I joined the National Youth Dance Company. It was my first time in London. Surrounded by people from completely different backgrounds, which really opened my eyes to the life of a dancer. I had to balance my time between my school studies and my dance training. Socially, I had to miss out on a lot of things but it was really worth when I got into vocational training. I completed one year of Dance BTEC and then applied for Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. Rambert was such an intense three years that I found myself more and more questioning the actual art form, and whether it's something I want to pursue. I started to look at the history of dance and that prompted me to actually do that as my dissertation. It helped me understand what benefits it has, not just to the dancer but to society, and re-ignited my passion. I've just begun working with Humanhood Contemporary Dance Company, which will tour next year. In preparation, I make a conscious effort to eat as healthy as possible and I drink plenty of water. It's really important to stay healthy anyway, but especially as a dancer. Some it's very expressive and emotion, some it's pure physicality, so if we don't prepare before that's when injury occurs and I'm just making sure that that doesn't happen.
My hopes for the future are that I continue to dance and hopefully travel the world with it to meet new people and to learn.
I had to miss out on things socially when I was at school but it was so worth it.
- Connor started dancing when he was three years old and trained in many different styles including ballroom and break dancing
- At 15, he joined the National Youth Dance Company and realised he wanted to pursue dance professionally
- He has studied alongside his dancing and recently graduated with a degree in Contemporary Dance.
What to expect if you want to be a professional dancer
- Professional dancer average salary: Your salary as a professional dancer can vary and there is no average wage
- Professional dancer typical working hours: It's likely you'll work in the evenings and at weekends for performances but there are no fixed hours
What qualifications do you need to be a professional dancer?
You could get into this role via a university course, a college course, applying directly or specialist courses run by private training organisations.
Sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service
This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the National Careers Service website for the latest information and all the qualifications needed.
Find out more on the Prospects website about the role of a dancer.
For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: National Careers Service (England), nidirect (Northern Ireland), My World of Work (Scotland) and Careers Wales (Wales).
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