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Scotland is the Place for ballet dancers
Scotland is a hub for ballet, showcasing international touring companies and local dance troupes, with more professional ballet dancers needed to meet demand.
Ballet classes cater for all ages and requirements, with children from the age of three to those wanting an undergraduate degree in Modern Ballet able to sign-up. And, if you already hold the relevant qualifications, there are opportunities to teach or to dance professionally with a Scottish company
What is required to be a professional ballet dancer in Scotland?
To work as a skilled classical ballet dancer in Scotland you must meet the standard required by internationally recognized United Kingdom ballet companies (e.g. Birmingham Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Northern Ballet Theatre, The Royal Ballet and Scottish Ballet). The company must either:
- have performed at or been invited to perform at venues of the calibre of the Royal Opera House, Sadler’s Wells or Barbican, either in the United Kingdom or overseas; or
- attract dancers and/or choreographers and other artists from other countries; or
- be endorsed as being internationally recognised by a United Kingdom industry body such as the Arts Councils (of England, Scotland and/or Wales)
You should also continue to build and maintain your stamina, physical strength, agility and general health through fitness exercises and healthy eating.
Finally, you'll need to attend rehearsals to develop and practice dance routines for performance while demonstrating and directing dance moves, monitoring and analysing technique and performance.
What courses are available?
The Royal Scottish Academy of School and Dance offers a three-year BA in Modern Ballet, which is delivered in partnership with Scottish Ballet, focused on students who have the potential to have a professional career in the performing arts.
Scottish Ballet is Scotland's national dance company and performs at theatres all over the country. As well as being partnered with the RSAMD, Scottish Ballet offers training, workshops, education initiatives and classes. Its Associate Programme encourages young dancers to train for a career in the industry.
A variety of dance and ballet classes can be found at some of Scotland's many reputable dance academies such as:
Where can I apply for work in ballet?
Dance teacher positions can be found through the regular means of looking for work in Scotland, such as job search engines such as s1Jobs.com. You can also search and apply at the following sites:
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Dance teachers' salaries vary according to the size and type of the dance school. Many dance teachers are self-employed, running their own business or working freelance for several different schools. Income varies depending on the amount of work.
Dancers in a contemporary dance company can earn around £23,000 a year. Those working in theatres, clubs, etc, can earn around £340 - £500 a week, depending on where they are employed. Full-time teachers in state schools earn from £21,102 to £30,842 a year. (Figures are intended as a guide only)
Becoming a patron
If you are more interested in being an admirer of ballet and patron of the arts, there are regular performances going on all over Scotland year round. The Edinburgh International Festival is takes place during August and hosts a wide variety of ballet companies throughout the month.
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