Dance
Offerings for Dance:| AA Degree | Continuing Education |
| Related to the baccalaureate degree, the AA degree does not have a declared major, but contains 1st and 2nd year courses which will generally transfer to a four-year college or university. More |
Our Continuing Education courses are the perfect blend of leisure and learning. Take courses in everything from accounting to photography and everything in between. Classes can be taken for non-credit or credit, which can be applied toward one of our certificates in the future. More |
Offerings Available at:
- CyFair
- North Harris
- Tomball
Salary:
Median hourly earnings of dancers were $9.55 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $7.31 and $17.50. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.62, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $25.75. Annual earnings data for dancers were not available, because of the wide variation in the number of hours worked by dancers and the short-term nature of many jobs—which may last for 1 day or 1 week—make it rare for dancers to have guaranteed employment that exceeds a few months. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest number of dancers were as follows:
- Theater companies and dinner theaters: $15.28
- Other schools and instruction: $11.71
- Other amusement and recreation industries: $8.58
- Drinking places (alcoholic beverages): $7.76
- Full-service restaurants: $7.13
Dancers who were on tour usually received an additional allowance for room and board, as well as extra compensation for overtime. Earnings from dancing are usually low because employment is irregular. Dancers often supplement their income by working as guest artists with other dance companies, teaching dance, or taking jobs unrelated to the field.
Earnings of dancers at many of the largest companies and in commercial settings are governed by union contracts. Dancers in the major opera ballet, classical ballet, and modern dance corps belong to the American Guild of Musical Artists, Inc. of the AFL-CIO; those who appear on live or videotaped television programs belong to the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists; those who perform in films and on television belong to the Screen Actors Guild; and those in musical theater are members of the Actors’ Equity Association. The unions and producers sign basic agreements specifying minimum salary rates, hours of work, benefits, and other conditions of employment. However, the contract each dancer signs with the producer of the show may be more favorable than the basic agreement.
Most salaried dancers and choreographers covered by union contracts receive some paid sick leave and various health and pension benefits, including extended sick pay and family-leave benefits provided by their unions. Employers contribute toward these benefits. Dancers and choreographers not covered by union contracts usually do not enjoy such benefits.
Job Growth:
Employment of dancers and choreographers is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations. Dancers and choreographers face intense competition for jobs. Only the most talented find regular employment. Employment of dancers and choreographers is expected to grow 6 during the 2006-16 decade, more slowly than the average for all occupations. The public’s continued interest in dance will sustain large and mid-size dance companies, but funding from public and private organizations is not expected to keep pace with rising production costs. For many small organizations, the result will be fewer performances and more limited employment opportunities.
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