As you apply for jobs, one way to catch the eye of a hiring manager is through an appealing curriculum vitae. Of course, when you’re faced with a blank piece of paper (or with a blank screen), getting coherent words to appear can be difficult. To make your life easier, you can refer to the dance CV example that is included below. We also have tips to help you understand what to include and how to best structure your CV. Dance jobs tend to be very specific, so details (such as the moves you can execute) and accomplishments matter greatly.
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Classically educated ballerina who trained under John X. Smith. Passionate about bringing the beauty and art of dance to underserved populations. Credentials include dancing as the Sugar Plum Fairy for the Oregon Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker (2010-2013) and dancing as Juliet in in the Oklahoma City Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet (2013-2016). Exceptional ability to work with children and get them hooked on dance. Mastery of moves, such as pirouettes and grand jetes; 110 pounds, 5 feet 11 inches tall.
- Familiar with a wide range of ballets and chorographical styles -Able to perform flawless pirouettes, grand jetes, fouettes, and monkey flips
- Friendly public face, genuine enthusiasm for bringing a love of dance to the masses
- Ability to switch between drama, comedy, and romance -Creative collaborator who takes direction well -Independent dancer and good team player
- Persistent, will practice a role until it is perfect
- Performed major roles in Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, and other ballets.
- Worked with choreographers to refine steps.
- Attended dance classes and conducted gym workouts to stay at a high fitness level.
- Taught two ballet classes to children ages 5-7 and 8-11.
- Used stories and strict routines to keep students on track.
- Recognized as Oklahoma City Ballet’s Instructor of the Year in 2015.
- Danced major roles in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, La Bayadere, and Jill Doe’s Awakening.
- Posed for pictures and signed autographs at community events and before/after shows.
- Featured in The Oregonian’s Arts section several times.
- Led fitness classes for aspiring teenage ballet dancers.
- Coordinated choir rehearsals, piano recitals, and other musical events at a church with a congregation of 1,000+.
- Played the piano at several weddings per year.
- Helped students of all ages discover music, ballet, acting, and choreography.
- Founded church ballet club for hobbyists.
- Raised more than $50,000 through several ballet club fund drives.
Enjoy anything related to music, film, and performance. Working on improving piano and mime techniques. Weak spot for British murder mysteries.
Questions for Your Ballet Dancer CV
How do you write a dance CV?
It may seem odd to write a CV for a creative field such as dance but having this document makes you appear more professional and enables you to present your achievements and experience clearly to those who matter. Your CV can follow the lead of our dance CV sample.
As you look it over, see how it draws attention to the dancer’s abilities, skills, past experience, and training. You want to ensure you include all of this information in yours as well to paint a well-rounded picture of who you are as a dancer. While your actually dancing audition may seal the deal on a job, it is the CV that can help you to get your foot in the door.
How long should a dance CV be?
While you want to paint a clear picture of your abilities in your CV, you do not want it to be too long. It should be something that someone can glance at and quickly skim. The general rule is to make it no longer than one page. This is a good length that should allow you to include all the pertinent information. For a simple step-by-step aid, try our CV builder to take the guess work out of the writing process.
How do you make a dance CV with no experience?
If you have no professional experience as a dancer, you can still create an eye-catching resume. On the dance CV sample, notice how the applicant listed volunteer experience in the work experience section? You can include volunteer work or even experience you have in school or private productions. Use anything dance related you have done. Draw attention to your skills related to dancing, such as acting experience or teamwork skills.
How do you describe achievements on your dance CV?
Listing achievements on your CV is very important because it shows you are an accomplished dancer. You can put them in a few areas of your CV. Really important or impressive accomplishments can go in the professional summary at the beginning. If the achievements occurred during a specific job you have listed, then include the achievements there. If achievements were during school, put them in the education section. If you have an impressive list of achievements, you may also create a section specifically for them.
How do you write an objective statement for a dance CV?
The objective statement is an old practice, unless you are recently graduated or have not worked for some time. Replace it with a professional summary. The objective statement simply told a hiring manager you want a job, which he or she already knows.
The professional summary, on the other hand, explains why you are the right choice for the job. It showcases your most important skills, abilities and achievements. Keep it to three sentences or bullet points. Think about it as your sales pitch. If a hiring manager reads this, it should make him or her want to know more about you. The dance CV sample shows a great example to use as a guideline.
Dance CV Must-Haves
What Does Dance Do?
There are so many kinds of dance, but at its essence the field aims to move and entertain people through performance, be it ballet, hip-hop, tap, or something else. This dance CV example is based on what a ballerina may write; you should tailor your CV to your specific dance expertise and to the job you’re interested in. Older or retired dancers may move into teaching or choreography, and some use the job to encourage physical fitness rather than to entertain. Dependability, stress tolerance, and an attention to detail are key elements that many successful dancers share. Persistence and creativity are two other important traits.
Tips for Creating a Great Dance CV
You should have a few ideas about the direction you want for your CV. However, there are good best practices to follow, so check them out:
- Include awards, accolades, and reviews. They demonstrate that other people have recognized the quality of your work.
- Use metrics, such as number of students taught or average number of people attending performances. You can also include how much weight you can lift, and so on.
- Keep your hobbies section positive. Don’t include potentially controversial activities, so be careful if including politics or religious organizations.
- Note any special or difficult dance moves that you are able to perform well.
- Include a link to an online portfolio. There, you can showcase clips from your performances, and let employers see you in action.
- Don’t forget to proofread your CV for typos and grammatical errors.
- List information such as your height and weight only when doing so is standard in the field (it is for ballet dancers). If you were applying for a job as a lawyer, you would not list such information.
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