Contemporary dance careers

[hjhw]

Hi

I was hoping for some advice about training and careers in Contemporary dance.
Is the jobs market as competitive as ballet? Which are the best training providers? Have most of the students come from vocational schools? 
My 16 yr dd has been applying for mostly ballet schools this year for sixth form with some success but she has decided that she wants to focus on contemporary instead ( with a bit of ballet). Does she have to wait until she’s 18 to train? 

[Neverdancedjustamum]

No personal experience but when contemporary is mentioned, the first schools to come to my mind are Rambert and London Contemporary Dance School (The Place). The contemporary dancers I know and know of are extremely versatile and seem highly employable but this is just my outsider’s view. I’m sure there are other lovely forum members who can respond with more information to your query. Just to say as well that you may need to make a distinction between the type of contemporary dance that’s now often part of ballet companies’ repertoire (also like the ones you see at the Prix de Lausanne) and the ones offered by some dance schools  as classes which are more a lyrical/jazz type version with tricks/leaps/legs/acro elements…I always moan about the lack of classes available of the former type of contemporary in our area. In my experience they are harder to find.

Edited February 21, 2022 by Neverdancedjustamum

[hjhw]

Thank you 😊 

[Mamaderuby]

There is the Northern school of Contemporary dance in Leeds. They offer CertHE and BA (Hons). I think they consider students from 16 years old. 

There are many choices of degree courses in Europe, classes given in English language. Fontys or Codarts in the Netherlands are two with very good reputations. These are post A level or equivalent level of education.

[Pas de Quatre]

A career in Contemporary dance is indeed just as competitive as classical ballet.  The four main schools in UK are Northern School of Contemporary Dance (Leeds), Trinity Laban, London School of Contemporary Dance and Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, the last three all in London.  All do degree coursses from age 18 (or older) but Rambert will take from age 16.  For Rambert you need a very high classical level, but not the others.  The contemporary schools are not necessarily basing their decision only on previous training, but also on potential and interesting choreographic ideas.  They all run outreach and/or CAT schemes so could your dd apply for one of these hjhw?  Most have taster days and summer schools so that would be something to look at too.  There is also the small company and attached school Chantry Dance, but I don't have any experience of them.

 

There are also contemporary dance schools across Europe in addition to the two Mamaderuby mentions.  Codarts is unusual in that it only has one intake every three years, and it is only when that cohort has graduated that they start a new course.

 

For performing, again it is as difficult to find jobs as in the classical sphere.  There are only a few companies that give stable employment.  Mostly engagements are for short projects.  Many dancers have to teach or take other jobs e.g. waiting on tables, ushers in theatres just to make ends meet.  Teaching and/or community work full time are alternative valuable careers in contemporary dance.  Hope this helps, which region of UK are you in?

[hjhw]

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and insights everyone. We’re in Leicestershire but dd is happy to train anywhere in the country but a bit more difficult for day courses. X 

[glowlight]

Dance4 CAT (Centre for Advanced Training) is in Nottingham - might be worth a look https://www.nationaldancecats.co.uk/cat-locations/dance4-centre-for-advanced-training/

[Pas de Quatre]

That sounds perfect for her Glowlight. In particular I would recommend going to the taster day in March.

[hjhw]

That’s great - I’ll take a look - thank you. 

[Peanut68]

Chantry Dance n Grantham pretty easy from Leicestershire too I would think… 

[Tutusrus]

On 21/02/2022 at 14:32, Pas de Quatre said:

A career in Contemporary dance is indeed just as competitive as classical ballet.  The four main schools in UK are Northern School of Contemporary Dance (Leeds), Trinity Laban, London School of Contemporary Dance and Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, the last three all in London.  All do degree coursses from age 18 (or older) but Rambert will take from age 16.  For Rambert you need a very high classical level, but not the others.  The contemporary schools are not necessarily basing their decision only on previous training, but also on potential and interesting choreographic ideas.  They all run outreach and/or CAT schemes so could your dd apply for one of these hjhw?  Most have taster days and summer schools so that would be something to look at too.  There is also the small company and attached school Chantry Dance, but I don't have any experience of them.

 

There are also contemporary dance schools across Europe in addition to the two Mamaderuby mentions.  Codarts is unusual in that it only has one intake every three years, and it is only when that cohort has graduated that they start a new course.

 

For performing, again it is as difficult to find jobs as in the classical sphere.  There are only a few companies that give stable employment.  Mostly engagements are for short projects.  Many dancers have to teach or take other jobs e.g. waiting on tables, ushers in theatres just to make ends meet.  Teaching and/or community work full time are alternative valuable careers in contemporary dance.  Hope this helps, which region of UK are you in?

LCDS and NSCD take at 17 on degree course

[Kate_N]

On 21/02/2022 at 10:02, Neverdancedjustamum said:

Just to say as well that you may need to make a distinction between the type of contemporary dance that’s now often part of ballet companies’ repertoire

 

This is really true. I find that most "contemporary" classes are much more lyrical/commercial. It's really hard to find Graham or Release technique classes outside of specialist providers such as The Place or Rambert.