Careers in Dance

Ali Duffy, PhD, is a President's Excellence in Teaching professor and associate professor of dance and honors at Texas Tech University. She is the founder and artistic director of Flatlands Dance Theatre, a professional nonprofit dance company in Texas. She holds a PhD from Texas Woman's University, an MFA from University of North Carolina (UNC) Greensboro, a BA from UNC Charlotte, and a professional certificate in online education from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Dr. Duffy's writing has been published in Research in Dance Education, Journal of Dance Education, Dance Education in Practice, and Journal of Emerging Dance Scholarship. Dr. Duffy has been invited for scholarly and artistic presentations and residencies at the University of South Florida, Lindenwood University, Colorado Mesa University, Virginia Tech, University of Detroit, UNC Charlotte, UNC Greensboro, Austin Dance Festival, COCO Dance Festival, and Danca Nova Dance Company. She sits on the National Dance Education Organization's Cultivating Leadership Committee and served on the board of the Dance Critics Association. Prior to her work in academia, Dr. Duffy performed internationally on Holland America cruise ships (RWS Entertainment) and for independent contemporary choreographers on both U.S. coasts. She has also taught and adjudicated for the National Dance Alliance and worked as a dance critic for World Dance Reviews. Her career in dance is endlessly supported by her wonderful family, and she is ever grateful for her brilliant husband, Carlos, and beautiful son, Noah.

Chapter 1. Examining the Big Picture Dance as an Economic and Cultural Force in the United States Impact of Dance on the U.S. Economy Dance as a Cultural Force in the United States Expanding Notions of a Career in Dance Education and Training for Careers in Dance Summary Chapter 2. Dance as an Entrepreneurial Journey An Entrepreneurial Approach to Dance Careers Aligning Strengths With Career Goals Qualities of a Successful Dance Professional Roadblocks and Rerouting Plans B, and C, and D A Mindset of Lifelong Learning and Change Summary Chapter 3. Teaching Dance in K-12 Schools and Postsecondary Education Planning and Training for a Career in Dance Education Steps to a Career in K-12 Dance Education Steps to a Career in Postsecondary Dance Education Pros and Cons of Different Educational Environments Summary Chapter 4. Opportunities in the Private Sector: Dance Studios and Schools Types of Studios and Schools Training and Education for Dance Studio Professions Teaching in a Dance Studio Managing a Teaching Career Over a Lifetime Opening a Dance Studio Business Summary Chapter 5. Nonprofit Dance Companies and Organizations Performing in a Dance Company Artistic Leadership Summary Chapter 6. Breaking Into Commercial Dance Career Options in Commercial or Entertainment-Based Dance Training and Preparation Branding Networking Finding an Agent Joining a Union Audition Tips A Day on the Job Summary Chapter 7. Dance Research and Journalism Dance Journalism Dance Research Summary Chapter 8. Dance Administration and Advocacy Careers in Dance Administration Dance Administration Careers in Educational Institutions Administrative Careers in Dance Companies and Nonprofit Organizations Preparing for a Career as a Dance Company Executive Administrator Careers in Dance Advocacy Preparing for a Career Involving Dance Advocacy Summary Chapter 9. Dance Science, Medicine, Therapies, and Somatic Practices Careers in Dance Science and Medicine Careers in Dance/Movement Therapy Careers in Somatic Practices Preparing for a Career in Somatic Practices Summary Chapter 10. Competitive Dance and Sports Entertainment Private Dance Competition and Convention Companies High School and Collegiate Competitive Dance Preparing for Careers in Competitive Dance Professional Sports Entertainment Dance Teams Preparing for Careers on Sports Entertainment Dance Teams Summary Chapter 11. Technical Theater, Media, and Technology Opportunities in Technical Theater Preparing for Careers in Technical Theater Opportunities in Media and Technology Summary Chapter 12. Interdisciplinary Opportunities Collaboration With Artists Collaboration With Professionals Outside of the Arts Preparing for Professional Interdisciplinary Opportunities Summary Conclusion. Now What? First Steps Toward a Dance Career Major Takeaways From This Book Graduate School Possibilities Adjusting to Life as a Working Professional in Dance Summary