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. A college degree can help a dancer who retires early get another kind of job. It is also very important if the dancer wants to teach in elementary or high school.