According to Merriam-Webster, the word "professional" can mean many things:
Of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession.
Characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession.
Exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace.
Participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field often pursued by amateurs.
Having a particular profession as a permanent career.
When I first started my professional dance career back in 2011 (👵), my idea of being a professional dancer was straightforward: You got paid for what you did. Whether that was for performances, rehearsals, or teaching, the defining factor seemed to be financial compensation. If you were being paid, you were a professional dancer, simple as that.
Today, my view on professionalism has shifted. Yes, getting paid is still a part of being a professional, but I now believe there is more to it than just earning a paycheck. Professionalism goes beyond completing the task—it’s about how the dancer approaches their craft.
The Evolution of Professionalism in Dance: More Than Just Payment
As I’ve grown as a dancer and gained experience, I’ve started to think about time, intensity, and growth as key indicators of professionalism.
How much time does the dancer dedicate to their craft?
How intensely do they train and rehearse?
How invested are they in improving?
These are all questions that now shape how I define professionalism. To me, being a professional dancer means recognizing that there is always room to grow—even after years of experience. Whether it’s refining technique, learning a new movement, or deepening artistry, the pursuit of excellence never stops. Professionalism isn’t about perfection, but about consistently showing up with a mindset of growth and evolution.
The Overlap Between Recreational and Professional Dancers
Interestingly, many recreational dancers share these same traits. They take classes regularly, seek to improve, and perform when they can. I’ve attended adult program performances that left me deeply moved—filled with joy, passion, and dedication—even if the technique wasn’t "perfect." These dancers embody the spirit of dance, performing for the love of it with a mindset of joy and openness.
While I have endless admiration for recreational dancers, the difference lies in the expectations placed on professionals. Professional dancers are held to higher standards—not just by directors and audiences but by themselves. They are expected to consistently deliver technical skill, artistic expression, and stage presence at an elevated level.
Professionalism as a Mindset, Not Just a Job Title
Professionalism in dance isn’t just about where you dance or how much you earn—it’s about how you carry yourself in different situations. It reflects attitude, accountability, and respect for both your craft and the people around you.
Here are a few key qualities that define professionalism in dance:
Commitment and reliability - A professional shows up on time, prepared, and ready to work, even when challenges arise. Honoring commitments—even if a seemingly "better" opportunity comes along—builds trust and respect within the community. If the opportunity isn’t the right fit, you can always choose not to renew or pursue other options in the future. That said, your physical and mental well-being should never be compromised. If a situation turns out to be harmful to your health or safety, exiting is the right choice. In such cases, it’s important to communicate your reasons professionally and find a safe way to step away.
Adaptability - Rehearsals and performances rarely go exactly as planned. A professional dancer adjusts and remains focused on finding solutions.
Respect for others - Whether working with fellow dancers, teachers, choreographers, or event organizers, a professional shows kindness, patience, and courtesy. Respect is just as much about how you treat others as it is about how you expect to be treated.
Professionalism also involves diligence, respect, and the fulfillment of obligations within the agreed time frame—whether you’re performing, rehearsing, or teaching. Being professional means following through on your responsibilities and showing respect for everyone involved.
Professionalism must be a two-way street. In some company or commissioning settings, it can be frustrating when dancers are held to a high standard, but leadership or commissioners fail to model the same level of professionalism. Those in charge must exhibit the same diligence, respect, and reliability they expect from dancers and staff. When professionalism is demonstrated at every level, it fosters an environment where everyone is valued and respected—leading to better working conditions and stronger performances.
Whether you’re leading a company, hiring a freelance dancer, or collaborating with others, professionalism means clear communication, mutual respect, and accountability on both sides. This consistency—both in behavior and in fulfilling obligations—is one aspect to defining true professionalism in the dance world.
Misconceptions about What It Means to Be a Professional Dancer
There are a few common myths about professionalism in dance, and I think it’s important to address them:
Myth - Only Dancers in Big Companies Are Professionals.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my 6+ years working at a national dance organization, it’s that this simply isn’t true. The dance world is incredibly broad and diverse. In fact, the vast majority of dance in the U.S. happens at the grassroots level, not within large, high-budget companies. The number of dancers and companies affiliated with big-name organizations is actually a tiny fraction of the dance ecosystem.
Regional ballet companies, project-based companies, freelance dancers, dance teachers, and choreographers are just as professional as dancers employed by larger companies—they're simply on different paths. Each part of this ecosystem is vital to the dance community, contributing artistry, education, and opportunities at every level.
In my pre-professional program, I was told I wasn’t “good enough” to get into one of the big companies, specifically New York City Ballet or Pacific Northwest Ballet. Because of that, I was made to believe that I’d never be a professional ballet dancer. But here’s the irony: I’m one of the few from that program—and from my college dance program—to go on and dance professionally.
This experience taught me an important lesson: Professionalism isn’t defined by a company name or budget—it’s defined by the dancer’s commitment to their craft, no matter the context. Whether you're dancing in a big company, freelancing, or teaching, your work has value and contributes to the larger dance world.
Myth: Professionalism Means Perfection.
No one is perfect. Even Suzanne Farrell once said, “Plié is the first thing you learn and the last thing you master.” Perfection—especially in ballet technique—doesn’t exist, although Marianela Núñez might make you question that. 😉
Mistakes are inevitable, even for the most experienced dancers. The true mark of a professional is not in avoiding mistakes but in how gracefully they recover and move forward. Excellence, not perfection, is what I strive for. After each performance or rehearsal, I ask myself:
Did I give that performance my all?
Was I fully present and engaged in rehearsal?
What can I improve for next time?
These reflections are part of an ongoing journey of progress. Professionalism isn’t about achieving some unattainable ideal—it’s about continuously showing up, striving for excellence, and learning from each experience.
Myth: A Professional Is Always Full-Time.
Haha—see the myth above about being in a big company! Many professional dancers, especially freelancers and part-time dancers, wear multiple hats. They may work as teachers, choreographers, administrators, or even hold desk jobs while continuing to perform. Some dancers also pursue careers in completely unrelated fields to make ends meet or explore other passions alongside their dance career.
The amount of time spent dancing doesn’t define or diminish a dancer’s professionalism. What matters is the commitment and quality they bring to every project, whether it’s a one-night performance or a long-term role. Professionalism isn’t about being full-time—it’s about showing up fully whenever and however you engage with your craft.
What Non-Dancers Should Know About Professional Dancers
For those outside the dance world—whether you’re coworkers of dancers, hiring performers, event planners, audience members, or clients—it’s important to recognize that professional dancers deserve respect and fair compensation. Being part of a major dance company doesn’t define professionalism. Many dancers train just as rigorously while balancing freelance gigs, teaching, administrative work, or personal commitments.
Hiring a professional dancer means you’re not just paying for their performance time—you’re also investing in their years of training, artistry, and dedication. The value they bring to your event or project goes beyond the minutes they spend on stage—it reflects a lifetime of commitment to their craft.
Additionally, “exposure” is not an acceptable form of payment. If exposure wouldn’t be considered fair compensation for a photographer, caterer, or musician, it’s not fair for a dancer either. Professional dancers provide a valuable service and should be compensated accordingly.
My Personal Take: How My Definition of 'Professional' Has Grown
Over the years, my own journey has shown me that professionalism is fluid and evolving. Early on, I believed that getting paid was the defining factor, but now I know it’s much more than that. Dedication, growth, and consistency are just as important, whether you’re working with a company or freelancing gig to gig.
I remember meeting with a fellow alum from the university where I earned my undergraduate degree. She was a year ahead of me, and I’ll never forget what she told me: “It’s hard to explain, but in a year or two out of school, your dancing will develop in ways you can’t even imagine. You won’t recognize the new dancer you’ll become.” At the time, I didn’t fully understand what she meant—but she was right.
As the years passed, I experienced (and continue to experience) subtle yet profound changes in my artistry, technique, and overall approach to my craft. The dancer I became after just a few years of working professionally was very different from the one fresh out of school—both in how I moved and in how I approached my work.
What I’ve learned is that professionalism isn’t just about showing up and getting paid—it’s about being open to growth, developing your artistry, and embracing change. Whether you’re a company dancer or a freelancer, the mindset and intention you bring to your craft are what truly matter. Professionalism isn’t a static title—it’s a commitment to being better than you were yesterday, every day—which, as a gentle reminder, is NOT a linear process.
Conclusion: Defining Professionalism for Yourself
In the end, professionalism in dance is more about mindset and behavior than it is about titles or paychecks. Whether you’re a dancer, teacher, or someone hiring dancers, it’s important to understand that professionalism isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Being a professional means showing up consistently, respecting the process, and striving to grow, regardless of your role or how much money you earn dancing. And perhaps most importantly, it means recognizing that every dancer’s path is valid and valuable.
Thank you for sharing this. It is a topic that needs to be addressed, not only outside the dance community but also within. Most of my career has been free lance and short term projects. I have been lucky to have performed in everything from classical ballet to barefoot modern productions. I had bad training going into college and had to relearn everything. I too was told, at that time, that I was too old to pursue classical ballet and that I didn't have the right movement quality for modern work so I should pick another major! Thankfully I had a few teachers that believed in me and told me to keep at it.
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