Dancers work in many kinds of places. Some work in restaurants, the theater, dance studios, and with bands. In addition, many dance teachers work in all kinds of schools. Almost all the major cities in the United States have full-time dance companies. Training begins at age 5 to 8 in ballet, usually by private teachers and in ballet schools.
Boys often start training later than girls.
Students who are good by their early teens get more advanced training. Training also takes place in the summer. Most dancers have their professional auditions by age 17 or 18. Modern dancers train fewer years than those in ballet. Music, literature, history, and the arts can help you understand the mood and ideas of a dance.