A Career in Dance

The Dance Industry has three sectors:

• Professional sector – dance companies, professional dancers and choreographers, associated producers, managers, marketers, venue and technical people, teachers of dance of diverse genre, dance businesses (including studios, commercial and tourist dance), dance project development coordinators, dance health specialists, writers and researchers.
• Education sector – dance in the education system (primary, secondary and tertiary) and the training of people in the Dance Industry.
  
• Community, recreation and social dance (participation) sector – people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds participating in the wide genre of dance in Aotearoa New Zealand, for expression of identity, wellbeing, health and fitness, fun, recreation and spiritual, cultural and creative expression.

Inter-sector relationships

There are important relationships between these three sectors in such areas as audience development, training, skill development and nurturing talent. The community and education sectors nurture early dance/arts experience including the establishment of values and attitudes. There are many cross sector work opportunities that enable a full and life long career in the Dance Industry. Dance practitioners and learning institutions are now realising this potential.

Through the three sectors, dance has a major role to play in New Zealand’s health, identity, culture, artistic expression and economic development.

Planning a career in dance?

Many of our successful dancers are multi skilled and work in different areas of the industry.
The list below will give you an idea of the scope of the Dance Industry in New Zealand and your place in it.

Training Opportunities

The following Institutions provide dance diplomas, degrees or other qualifications:
New Zealand School of Dance and Drama (Te Whaea) - National Doiploma of Dance
UNITEC School of Performing and Screen Arts - BPSA (Major in Contemporary Dance)
AUT University - BEd (Dance)
University of Auckland - BA (Dance Studies), MA (Dance Studies), PhD
Otago University Physed School - BEd, MEd, MA, PhD
Dunedin Teachers College - BEd
Kahurangi
Waikato University
Wellington Performing Arts Centre.
www.danz.org.nz/tertiary_courses.php
For help and advice please contact DAN Z (04) 801 9885 or email danz@danz.org.nz

Teaching Dance in Schools as a Career Choice

If you are passionate about dance and wish to pass on your skills and enthusiasm to others, consider becoming a secondary
dance teacher.
• Many secondary schools are looking for fulltime dance teachers to educate their students in dance.
• You can practice your artistry with young people.
• You can gain teacher registration and earn a good living.
• You can take time out from your career to work on artistic projects.

To become a secondary school dance teacher you will need an undergraduate degree (there are many places now where you can get such a degree majoring in dance). You would then do a year's full-time study to gain your teaching qualification. You can do this at various places around New Zealand. You will be able to major in dance and will need another subject that you can teach as well.

Many dance teachers also study drama but there are a wide range of subjects to choose from depending on subjects you have studied at University.

For more information please contact:
PATRICE O’BRIEN
Dance Facilitator TEAM Solutions
University of Auckland
Private Bag 92-601
Symonds Street
Auckland
P (09) 623 8899 extn 46389
pa.obrien@auckland.ac.nz