Is your dream to one day dance on Broadway or perform at Lincoln Center with the New York City Ballet? Whether you’ve just made the big move to NYC or are weighing the pros and cons, this in-depth guide to becoming a professional dancer in New York will start you off on the right foot. We’ll cover everything an aspiring dancer should know—from the best dance schools in NYC to the city’s most famous dance companies.
(For more advice from professional dancers and choreographers—including how to prepare for a dance audition and how to make a dance reel—visit our guide for aspiring dancers in any city.)
JUMP TO
- Is New York City a good place to pursue a career in dance?
- What are the best dance schools and studios in NYC?
- Where can I find dance auditions in NYC?
- How do I network as a dancer in NYC?
- Where should I live in NYC as a dancer?
- How do I start my own dance company in NYC?
- How do I make a living in NYC as a dancer?
If you love the hustle, NYC is the place to be. There is an undeniable energy here that drives one to work hard and play hard. “Take every opportunity that comes by,” advises Thryn Saxon, a professional dancer with the Kate Weare Company. “You just never know.”
New York has a huge number of concert dance opportunities, meaning auditions are constantly in session. It’s the epicenter of contemporary and modern dance in the United States and has some of the greatest opportunities for technical ballet and modern training. If you’re looking for theater, Broadway, and ballet auditions, you’re in the right place—and NYC is also the home of the Radio City Rockettes, of course. But if you’re looking to be in commercials or tour the world as a backup dancer, Los Angeles may be better suited to your career goals.
In Philadelphia, there’s also a vibrant concert dance scene—albeit with fewer opportunities than NYC. And don’t forget that companies exist all over the country in smaller cities and towns, such as Tulsa, Oklahoma; Boise, Idaho; and Stamford, Connecticut.
NYC is home to an incredible number of dance schools and dance studios. Below is a list of some of the most well-regarded of these dance schools across several boroughs, from Ailey to the Mark Morris. Whether you need to brush up those tap skills or get your ballet technique back in serious shape, you should take advantage of all the options the city has to offer.
Ailey Extension: Located in the center of Midtown on West 55th Street and Ninth Avenue, the Ailey Studios, home of the Ailey School and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, offer more than 80 classes each week for dancers of all levels and experience. By making dance truly accessible to all, Ailey Extension carries out Alvin Ailey’s legacy “that dance comes from the people and should be given back to the people.” These studios are also available to rent for rehearsals, events, and more. Tip: If you want to give the studio a try, Ailey Extension offers an intro package of two classes for $32, saving you $6!
Steps on Broadway: Located on the Upper West Side on 74th Street and Broadway, Steps is one of the most well-known dance studios worldwide. Founded in 1979, this studio has served as the epicenter of New York’s professional dance community. This cultural hub, especially cherished by the ballet dancers of the city, is home to highly sought-after dance teachers from top companies such as New York City Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Boston Ballet, Martha Graham, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Classes are offered seven days a week in every style of dance you could think of, from ballet, pointe, and body conditioning to tap, street jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop. Tip: You can find Misty Copeland and other ballet stars taking class here often.
Broadway Dance Center: Also located in the heart of Midtown on West 45th Street, BDC is a drop-in dance studio that dedicates itself to the international dance community. It also offers a wide variety of classes, so you are certain to find the style that you are looking for at almost any time of day. New York dancers consider this studio to be more commercial dance–focused, whereas Steps on Broadway tends to cater more to the ballet dancers in the city. Made up of more than 80 professionals, the faculty of BDC brings expertise and knowledge to the dance studio from their diverse professional backgrounds.
Brooklyn Studios for Dance: Located in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, this studio finds its home inside the historic Cadman Congregational Church. BkSD’s mission is to serve the professional art community while building a culture of local engagement that responds to the interests of both communities (the artists and the church congregation). If you’re looking for the cheapest dance classes in the entire city, we’ve found it. BkSD provides $5 ballet classes, $10 contemporary classes, and $14 Klein Technique classes, to name a few. Tip: Art installations are also part of BkSD’s center, so if you want to enjoy art in more than one way, make your way over early and get inspired before you move!
Gibney: Founded in 1991, Gibney (formerly known as Gibney Dance) has expanded to two locations, at 280 Broadway and 890 Broadway. This powerhouse of cultural support for the arts is also the home of the Gibney Dance Company. Open classes are geared toward contemporary dance, but also include ballet, conditioning, yoga, and more! This studio is a personal favorite of Alex Biegelson, dancer and associate artistic director of dance company 10 Hairy Legs. “Gibney is a great place to find contemporary classes,” Biegelson says. “So many teachers come through there and you can take 10 classes a week and never take the same teacher twice.” If you are interested in creating your own work, keep in mind that these studios are also available to rent. Tip: Movement Research classes are also offered.
Mark Morris Dance Center: Home of the Mark Morris Dance Group, this dance center is located in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, just across the street from the famous Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). If you’re looking to keep your budget in check, this is the place to go. Whether you want to get a single-, five- or 10-class card, you’ll come out ahead here. Tip: Modern dancers love Mark Morris Dance Center, as well as dancers looking for West African, Afro-Caribbean, flamenco, capoeira, and salsa classes.
Peridance Capezio Center: Located on East 13th Street near Union Square, the center is also home to the Salvatore Capezio Theater. This dance hub, founded in 1983, has long been a core part of the NYC dance community. Providing over 250 weekly adult classes in all styles and levels, this is an easily accessible and inspiring center to get your training on. While the cost per class is not as affordable as Gibney or Ailey, looking into 10-class cards can help you get class in without breaking the bank. Tip: You can find incredible workshops here with various modern and contemporary dance companies. This is a great way to be seen, and choreographers often hold company auditions at the end of the week.
Established dancers often rely on their established network of directors, choreographers, agents, and colleagues to book an audition and land their next gig—but what does that mean for the hundreds of other capable talents who are just finding their legs in the world of dance? These resources will help you find NYC dance auditions on your own:
- Backstage: Even if you don’t have a manager or agent who’s in direct contact with casting directors of various projects, Backstage allows you to access casting notices and open calls that have been vetted by our casting editors. You’ll find regularly updated casting calls for dancers on Broadway and elsewhere.
- Dance/NYC: This is a great place for concert dancers to find the latest auditions, classes, workshops, choreographic opportunities, and dance-related jobs.
- Dancing Opportunities: If you’re seeking opportunities with international companies that may be passing through the city, Dancing Opportunities is the place to look. Or perhaps you simply want to get out of NYC for a monthlong residency without fully relocating.
And don’t forget to check out the community boards at dance studios for upcoming workshops, open company classes, or auditions!
A Choreographer Tells You How to Book Dance Jobs Through Instagram Being well-connected is always an advantage when it comes to expanding your experience of the arts and finding creative opportunities to grow. As the years go by, you’ll notice this happens naturally as you befriend your peers and find artists whom you work with particularly well. If you’re just getting started, here are some ways to get yourself out there and meet the people who can ultimately make a big difference in your career.
Taking dance classes is necessary for keeping in shape and continuing to develop your craft, but it’s also a great place to create your network. “If you don’t know anyone in the room, introduce yourself to someone,” says Alex Biegelson, dancer and associate artistic director of New Jersey dance company 10 Hairy Legs. “Ninety percent of the time, it’s about people knowing who you are. If they don’t know you, they won’t call you. The people that see you in classes, in rehearsals, at auditions...the reason they know your name is because you introduced yourself.”
You will notice that as you start to follow teachers and regularly take classes at certain studios, you’ll see the same people every week. It’s not uncommon that dancers looking to create their own work, or who work for a choreographer who is looking for dancers, will approach people they take class with to let them know they think they might be a good fit. You never know who you will meet and collaborate with in the future.
Workshops also function in a similar way. Many are held by already established choreographers and company members, and more often than not, they are keeping an eye out to see who is picking up their movement well. If you can make a good impression in a workshop, it could absolutely lead to performance opportunities down the road.
Seeing performances is another great way to meet artists and feel connected to the dance community. Being an observer of dance is imperative when it comes to discussing artistic works with others and creating dialogue around dance. When you can discuss what you’ve seen with others it can progress to ideas that can be collaborated upon. These sporadic encounters are wonderful when the right timing and people come together.
Reaching out to those whose work you find inspiring and innovative may take some courage, but don’t let that stop you! People like to talk about what they are passionate about, and a quick coffee meet-up may be the perfect moment to ask questions and make that connection.
4 Networking Tips for Dancers As a dancer in NYC, a lot depends on where you live. We’ve broken down some of the most popular neighborhoods for dancers across Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx:
Astoria: Otherwise known as “Actoria,” this neighborhood can be a great spot for dancers and actors alike. The N,W, and R subway lines run directly between Midtown and Queens, making it easy to get to Broadway—as well as New York City Center, a great venue for dance performances and classes, and Broadway Dance Center.
Clinton Hill: You’ll be a hop, skip, and a jump away from a few incredible dance centers with affordable classes. Clinton Hill is next door to Fort Greene, home of Mark Morris Dance Center. Also nearby is Brooklyn Studios for Dance. Clinton Hill is also home to Gallim Dance, a contemporary dance company based out of the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew.
East Harlem: Being off the 4 and 5 subway lines will make going to Peridance and Gibney practical for dance classes (the express line will get you there quickly enough to make that 10 a.m. ballet class!). And you’re not too far from the Upper East Side and the 92nd Street Y, a historical arts center with plenty of lectures of dance performances.
Washington Heights: Situated above Upper Manhattan, Washington Heights is closest to the A, C, and 1 trains, giving you a straightforward commute to Midtown. If you’re going to Times Square and Hell’s Kitchen often for auditions, this may be the perfect neighborhood to give you some elbow room with an affordable rent and still get you to where you need to go without much hassle. Broadway Dance Center, the Ailey School, and Steps on Broadway are all very accessible as you commute south.
Inwood: Like Washington Heights, you’ll be off the A, C, and 1 trains—giving you similar options for dance studios. If you don’t want to give up being surrounded by trees or waking up to the sound of birds, this cozy neighborhood is definitely your best bet. Inwood Hill Park, a major city perk, feels like a serene getaway compared to the heightened city energy.
Red Hook: This unique Brooklyn waterfront area has an incredible view of the Statue of Liberty. If you’re someone who likes a little peace and quiet, this secluded neighborhood may be just right for you. Pioneer Works and Red Hook Labs are a couple of major artistic gems that have found their home here. One thing to keep in mind is that there is no immediate subway located in this area, so you will need to be comfortable with taking the bus or biking.
The NYC Dancer’s Guide to Where to Live Do you tend to be choreographing in your head during rehearsals and classes and wishing you could just run the show? Being a choreographer takes a lot of effort and the dedication necessary to produce your own work and take it to the stage. It is always an enriching experience to interpret another artist’s work, but if you feel the need to branch out to do your own projects, you should follow that intuition. If you have something to say through movement that is not already being expressed, you should absolutely see your vision come to fruition. Even if you can’t get work on a full-time professional company because you are just getting started, don’t let that hold you back!
Sometimes starting your own work can be intimidating, but if you feel the pull, just get started! “Let go of the pressure of what it’s supposed to look like and just get into the studio and make something,” Thryn Saxon, professional dancer with the Kate Weare Company, advises. “It’s easy to beat yourself down and feel the ticking clock in the corner, but it’s so different in creation. You can’t feel good about what you put out if you haven’t taken some sort of time to process and allow it to come through honestly.”
To find choreographic opportunities in NYC, Dance Magazine and Dance/NYC can be helpful resources. These two websites post choreographic opportunities available all over the country. Postings can include residencies at colleges looking for emerging choreographers to set work on student dancers, giving them professional experience. Many posts give you the space to shine in festivals featuring new choreography.
It’s not always going to be easy to make ends meet as an artist—which is where a survival job comes in. For modern dancers, company projects can be sporadic and unpredictable. Having a flexible schedule can allow you to be available for a sudden residency upstate for four days or a last-minute performance opportunity. Consider teaching dance, leading fitness classes as an instructor, working in retail or food service, babysitting, or any other freelance gigs that allow you to rearrange your hours when necessary.
Are you also an amazing photographer and want to help dancers with their headshots? Schedule these sessions around auditions and classes. Are you organized and don’t mind administrative work? Why not help out a director and learn about the ins and outs of running a dance company? If you can relate your work to your passion, you’re less likely to feel like you are working and instead can feel that all you do is culminating toward a common end goal.
Creating and following a budget is also a key tool to keeping your finances in check. Living in a city like New York is expensive, so remember that you can only do the best you can. If you’ve already made it this far, you’ve probably got a solid start. When making your budget, be realistic with your income. Freelancing isn’t always easy, and jobs can fall through at the last minute. It’s smart to have a solid stream of income to cover the basics (food, rent, utilities, phone) so you won’t have any emergencies.
When it comes to paying for dance classes, audition fees, and material fees like headshots, you may have to take those in smaller chunks as the money is available. Staying in shape and expanding your abilities as a dancer is of course crucial as you make your way through auditions, so be sure to allocate the amount of money you will need each month for the amount of training you wish to pursue. Cross-training can help in cutting costs while staying in shape. For example, donation-based yoga studios have become popular among dancers, as it works strength and flexibility equally and can be a good replacement for a day or week when your budget is tighter than usual.
9 Survival Jobs You Can Do From Home Check out Backstage’s dance audition listings!
