Choreographer
Choreographers express ideas through dance. They design dances for professional or untrained dancers.
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Dance Designer, Designer
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
Starting | $27.59 |
---|---|
Overall | $33.86 |
Top | $35.56 |
Interest in synthesizing information to create dances that convey stories, ideas and moods and harmonize with musical scores
Interest in planning and arranging movements of dancers and other performers, evaluating performances during rehearsals and directing dancers during rehearsals to achieve desired interpretations
Interest in instructing dancers in their performances and artistic interpretations, and by demonstrating movements required to convey themes
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It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Choreographers translate stories, ideas and moods into movements for performance by professional dancers or to provide physical activity for untrained individuals. This may involve:
To communicate creatively through the human form, choreographers must take into consideration the limits to which dancers' bodies can be pushed. At the same time, they must build a safe and trusting environment for creative risk-taking.
Choreographers may use recording equipment or choreographic methods of recording dance movements and patterns.
In small dance companies, choreographers may have additional artistic or managerial responsibilities. For example, they may:
Choreographers work long hours including weekends and holidays. Rehearsals are particularly busy times, when choreographers must work with artistic directors, theatre designers and technical crews. Rehearsals may take place during the day or in the evening to accommodate dancers who may work at other jobs. Performances are usually in the evening.
Choreographers need to possess:
They should enjoy creating innovative dances, taking charge of situations and teaching others.
Most choreographers come from a dance background. Often, they are trained in various styles, from classical ballet to modern dance, and draw on all of these traditions in their interpretive creations. It also is helpful for choreographers to have an understanding of:
A background in production design and the ability to read music are definite assets.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Dance training is available through colleges, universities, private dance schools and professional dance companies. For more information, see the Dancer occupational profile.
Most dance companies provide opportunities for experienced dancers to learn by working under the direction of skilled choreographers. Classes in choreography are part of most dance programs.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Choreographers usually work with professional dance companies. Full-time (resident) positions for choreographers are rare. In fact, dance companies often ask members of their dance troupes to create new works rather than contract a choreographer.
Professional choreographers often work part time as choreographers and work in other occupations such as dancer, dance teacher or movement coach as well. Some are the artistic directors of their own dance companies.
Choreographers may also be hired by organizers of events such as:
Opera and theatre companies may hire choreographers to train actors in dance movements or to design dance sequences.
Choreographers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 5131: Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations. In Alberta, 89% of people employed in this classification work in the Information, Culture and Recreation (PDF) industry.
The employment outlook (PDF) in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Over 1,800 Albertans are employed in the Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.2% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 40 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As choreographers form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for choreographers.
Choreographers may receive royalties every time one of their choreographed pieces is performed, or they may charge one-time fees for choreographing works for special events. Fees are usually based on the choreographer's reputation and the length of the piece.
Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
---|---|---|---|---|
Starting | $15.00 | $36.80 | $27.59 | $26.87 |
Overall | $15.00 | $45.67 | $33.86 | $34.70 |
Top | $17.00 | $47.40 | $35.56 | $37.14 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Health Care & Social Assistance | $82,171 |
---|---|
Information, Culture, Recreation | $76,035 |
ALL INDUSTRIES | $67,553 |
Educational Services | $31,975 |
Cultural Human Resources Council website: www.culturalhrc.ca
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Updated Mar 20, 2017. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.