Dance your way up the ladder

Updated on: Monday, December 27, 2010

Vikas Khokha, a senior executive with AirTel, has just finished learning how to jive from Ashley Lobo’s Danceworx Academy. The grand finale of the classes was a dance performance, which satisfied Khokha’s passion for dance, apart from his creative instincts.

Khokha is not the only one in his pursuit for excellence. A number of young executives are now taking out time from their busy schedules to fulfill their hobbies and give vent to their passions. Moreover, many of them have even started taking up dance as a profession as well.

The scope of dance is huge. From a time where television was limited to only one channel (Doordarshan), today with the advent of cable TV, Western culture has affiliated itself with all its viewers. Music channels, videos and corporate events that were unheard of a few years ago have now created a demand for professional dancers and dance directors in a big way. Bollywood has changed the face of dance in today’s day and age. The regular song and dance sequence has made way for high-standard choreographies, which are an integral part of movies today.

Dancing and the entertainment industries associated with it, such as music, films and variety entertainment have a certain respectability today, that they could not claim 10 years ago. Another related industry is the fitness sector, which has also seen a big boom in the past few years. Whether it is for corporate launches, annual conventions or TV shows, dance is an industry which can only grow.

So, what are the growth opportunities in this field? The growth is as big as a business as well as an art. The demand is huge, but the supply is not of great quality. Jobs can be had aplenty as choreographers and dancers in movies, shows, videos and advertisements.

If dance is pursued with the same perseverance and dedication like any other profession, it can guarantee you a definite career. You can be a professional dancer and go on to become a choreographer or a dance teacher. It can also be used as a tool to open communication lines with those who have developmental or communication disorders. This is a course offered by many universities in the US. In India too, we have several dancers adopting this as a career option. Other opportunities include fitness professionals, specialised trainers, wedding choreographers and corporate trainers.

Taking up dance as a hobby has its benefits too. It provides a means of expression, results in a positive release of energy, keeps you fit, develops music appreciation and rhythmic ability and improves your posture and body awareness.

As far as courses offered are concerned, you can learn from a plethora of modern and contemporary dances like jazz, salsa, merengue, hip hop, bachata, cha cha, jive, guanguanco, tap, mambo, rock and roll etc. While the duration of the courses ranges from a month to six months, the fee can be anywhere between Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 per month depending upon the course. There are special courses also which end with a ticketed show.

What are the pre-requisites needed to be a good dancer? You just need to be able to handle your head movements, work hard, be loyal and down-to-earth as well as have dedication.

Most experts feel that the basic pre-requisites to be a good dancer are:

* Basic fitness levels — flexibility, strength, cardio ability and endurance.
* Basic knowledge of various music and dance styles.
* Body and spatial awareness.
* Ability to perform, convey thoughts and emotions through facial expressions and body language.
* Mental strength and a positive attitude to withstand fatigue, injuries and physical challenges.
* Stage presence and grooming.

So, if you are keen to tango, head for the nearest dance academy!

Dance your way up the ladder

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