Dancer

You'd use movement to interpret music, tell stories and express emotion. You’d dance for live audiences or in recorded performances for television, film or music videos.

You’d use your talent, rhythm and timing combined with years of training to give the best performance to entertain the audience.

In most cases you'd follow a choreographer's steps, although you might also improvise movements.

You would usually specialise in one form of dance, such as:

• classical ballet

• contemporary dance

• modern stage dance, which includes jazz and tap, and could include singing and acting in musical theatre

• African or Asian dance

• street dance

Performing would only be a small part of your work. You’d need to rehearse, and attend dance classes to keep fit and maintain your skills.

You’d also need to prepare for, and go to, auditions. You’d spend time promoting yourself and finding the next job.

• Royal Academy of Dance - Dance education organisation

• Creative Scotland - enabling people to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland

• Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre

• Dance UK - Dance training and careers information from national organisation for people working in dance

• Dancers’ Career Development - Career support and retraining services for professional dancers