5 Dance Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Dance is making a comeback, rebounding from significant losses during the pandemic. The future for dancers holds promising perspectives, as the dancer job market is expected to grow by 6.1% in the next few years. We’ve crafted this resume guide to help you make your application shine on this competitive stage.

Dancers often pursue various roles—performers, teachers, choreographers—to establish a sustainable career, and displaying this versatility on a resume can be complex.

Regardless of your resume audience—whether it’s dance company directors, casting agents, or school officers—each seeks specific qualities and qualifications. It’s tricky to create a one-size-fits-all resume​. This article provides tips on tailoring your resume to the specific job post you’re interested in, with advice on how to show your unique personality, so that your dance resume can move people like no other!

Let's explore an example that illustrates these key points.

Dance resume sample

You might wonder what a dance resume looks like. You can use Susan’s resume as template for yours, or create a new one from scratch with our Enhancv resume builder. We guarantee it’ll only take a few minutes!

Dance resume format

When you’re a dancer, it’s more than welcome, and even expected, to get creative. So, express yourself with colors and interesting designs. You can look for inspiration in our selection of top creative resumes, and then dive into our creative resume templates. 

Resume format

As a dancer, your experience and your skills go hand-in-hand. They are both equally important to your success, and it’s sometimes difficult to say which one has more weight. That’s why we recommend choosing the hybrid resume format, which gives equal importance to your experience and your abilities.

Resume designs

Even though you can experiment with different designs and be a visionary on your dance resume, you still need to conform to some classic resume conventions. We’ve created a list of things to follow—and don’t worry, these still leave space for originality.

• Being a dancer means you’re able to express yourself even without words. Well, we won’t ask you to do that on your resume, but try to be as concise as possible. Recruiters appreciate a 1-page resume.
• Let the recruiters’ eyes move through your resume as if watching a beautiful dance flow. A two-column format is comprehensible and easy to scan.
• Speaking of flow, you never want your resume to get cramped. Keep your margins 1” on each side.
• The good thing about the creative resume layout is you can be bolder with colors. Don’t overdo it, though. Choose a primary, secondary, and an accent color to highlight elements of different importance. Then, choose a easy-to-read font, such as Lato, Bitter, or Rubik, to draw attention to important information.

Contact information

• Choose a resume header that clearly states your contact info: name, job title, email, and phone number. Match your job title to the position you’re applying for—if possible. Remember to never lie on your resume: it’s just not worth it and definitely won’t help you get your dream job.
• If you’ve got a strong LinkedIn profile or a personal website, add those to your header.
• Photos can be a cause for bias, so generally skip them, unless the job ad says otherwise.

File formatting

Avoid causing confusion with your file name. Keep it simple and to the point, using this popular naming convention: FirstName_LastName_JobTitle.

As for format, we recommend using PDF so you keep all the elements of your resume in place. But check with the job description as some places will require a different format.

Top sections on a resume

Your resume sections can vary, but here are the ones you shouldn’t miss:

• Personal information
• Performance experience
• Special dance skills
• Training and education
• Projects/Additional information

We’ve provided info on each of these sections below. Meanwhile, why don’t you test your existing resume against our AI-powered resume checker!

After nailing the resume format, let's delve into showcasing your professional experience effectively.

How to write your dance resume experience

Your experience section should provide an engaging overview of your work path. Definitely let your potential employers know if you’ve been on a TV dance format, such as Dancing with the Stars, or featured in a music video for a top-charting artist.

But even if these aren’t a part of your resume, we’re sure you’ve still got plenty to be proud of. Perhaps you choreographed a contemporary dance piece for a national dance competition, winning first place. Or completed an intensive dance program at a world-renowned dance academy. Make sure your experience section includes all your greatest accomplishments.

Tailor your resume to the job description

Whatever achievements you decide to include on your resume, make sure they match the position you’re after. Use specific keywords from the job description to show recruiters you’re a great fit. Let’s find a real job ad, and then—look at an experience section tailored to that posting.

It works because it mentions:

• The experience section includes specific metrics, such as a 30% increase in student enrollment and a 20% improvement in student performance scores, demonstrating the candidate's effectiveness in their role.
• Highlighting collaboration with a team of dance teachers and leadership in directing annual performances aligns with the job ad's emphasis on teamwork and leadership experience.
• Mentioning participation in professional development workshops shows a commitment to continuous improvement and aligns with the job ad's requirement for engagement in training with school leaders.

Now that we’ve covered professional experience, let's focus on quantifying your achievements to stand out.

How to quantify your experience on resume

Quantifiable achievements on a dance resume spotlight a dancer's ability to deliver tangible results, which can be particularly compelling to directors and choreographers seeking proven talent. Including specific metrics, such as the number of performances, roles, or awards won, not only validates a dancer's skills but also sets them apart in a competitive field. Below, you can find a few ideas how to list numbers on your resume:

• Indicate your proficiency in multiple dance styles to demonstrate your adaptability and skill breadth across genres.
• Mention the significant roles you have performed to highlight your experience and responsibility level in past productions.
• Specify your attendance at professional dance workshops or programs to signal your ongoing commitment to improving your skills.
• Include your total hours of weekly practice to reflect your dedication and discipline, which are crucial for a professional dancer.
• Mention the number of successful auditions to reveal your perseverance and competitive edge, desirable traits for challenging dance roles.
• You can win recruiters over with your skill set regardless of your experience level. See how in the next section.

How do I write a dance resume with no experience

Even if you’ve got limited experience as a professional dancer, you can still shine. We bet you’ve been dancing from a young age, which has given you enough time to develop your skills. But how do you structure your experience section?

• Choose the skill-based resume format to bring attention to your strengths. This one’s perfect for entry-level candidates as it doesn’t put that much focus on experience.
• Mention any dance trainings and classes you’ve attended. Include the specific styles or techniques learned.
• Highlight transferable skills like flexibility, choreography, and musicality. Or soft skills such as teamwork and communication.
• List your performances, even if they were informal or school-related.
• Include any volunteer work that involved dance, such as teaching dance at community centers or participating in dance-related charity events.
• Mention any hobbies or interests that demonstrate your passion for dance and your commitment to personal growth. Perhaps you create unique dance routine in your spare time?

Resume objective

Finally, write a brief statement about your goals and what you aim to achieve in your dance career. Your resume objective should include:

• Up to 3 sentences emphasizing your goals and aspirations.
• A quick overview of your skills and achievements.
• A clear statement on what you bring to the company.

This objective works because it highlights the applicant's passion for dance and their enthusiasm for helping others. Additionally, it emphasizes the applicant's commitment to exceptional customer service and creating a positive learning environment, which are key attributes sought in the job posting.

How to list your hard and soft skills on your resume

A skills section is integral to your dance resume. It’s the quickest way for recruiters to see if you’re a good fit for the role they’re offering.

Include your hard skills, such as specific dance techniques and styles you’ve mastered, in a separate section to make them easily scannable. Here are our suggestions:

Soft skills build strong relationships with fellow dancers and choreographers and allow you to navigate complex rehearsals and performances smoothly. Instead of listing them in a separate section, which might not convey their full impact, incorporate them with examples throughout your resume. Like in your experience section or your personal profile. Consider highlighting skills such as:

With skills addressed, let's proceed to your education and relevant certifications.

How to list your certifications and education on your resume

Higher education offers more than just academic growth—it provides invaluable experiences and networks that can shape a professional dance career. Reflecting on their university journey, one dancer shared on Reddit:

Furthermore, university education offers a safety net, allowing students to explore their passions while securing a versatile foundation for the future. University can thus be a pivotal stepping stone, providing both specialized training and broad educational experiences that empower dancers to succeed in their careers and beyond.

Make sure your education entry:

• Clearly states your degree and major.
• Mentions the educational institution for credibility.
• Specifies your graduation year (the month is unnecessary).
• Mention any dance classes and courses.
• If you’ve been on the Dean's List, graduated Cum Laude, or received a scholarship, point it out in your application.

Let’s look at a well-written education section:

This example excels in several key areas. It lists a high GPA and graduation honors, mentions leadership in performances and collaboration on projects, and frequent performances demonstrate practical application of dance skills.

Enrich your education section even more by adding relevant certifications. This proves you’re interested in becoming a pro in your field, dedicating time and resources to developing additional competencies. Here are our suggestions:

Now that we’ve covered education and certifications, let's look at crafting a compelling resume summary.

How to write your dance resume summary

If you’re an experienced dancer, a compelling summary at the top of your resume will distinguish your application.

Here’s what to include:

• Summarize your professional dance experience, including major performances and roles in various dance genres in 3-5 sentences.
• Highlight your dance education and training.
• Outline essential personal qualities such as creativity, teamwork, and a strong work ethic.
• Mention your proficiency in specific dance techniques and other skills like choreography or teaching.
• Most importantly, highlight what you can do for the company.

Here’s a dance teacher resume summary targeting the job ad above.

This summary is effective because it highlights the candidate's educational background, experience, and teaching philosophy, directly linking these attributes to the job requirements. It presents a clear picture of the candidate's capability to enrich the dance program and positively impact student learning.

Finally, we'll discuss additional sections that can enhance your resume.

Additional sections for a dance resume

Additional sections on a dance resume can prove your unique talents and industry-specific experiences, making you stand out in a competitive field. They highlight personal achievements and attributes that don't fit neatly into standard resume sections. Take a look at our suggestions:

• Performances and roles: List notable roles and performances, including the venue and production.

A repertoire entry could look like this:

• Workshops and master classes: Showcase advanced training and professional development.
• Awards and recognitions: Highlight any accolades or recognitions received within the industry.
• Professional affiliations: Include memberships in dance organizations or unions.

In conclusion

A well-crafted dance resume is your ticket to capturing the attention of directors and choreographers, showing your unique blend of experience, skills, and educational background. By following expert formatting tips, you can effectively highlight your artistic prowess and land your next audition or role.