When you move to a new city, your job hunt might look a little different from the average person’s. Sure, there are some job boards out there. But they’re not the way most dance educators get hired. “When you’re a creative, one of the blessings and curses is that you have to do life creatively,” says Pat “Planet” Opran, a dancer and teacher in Boston.
For dance teachers, getting plugged into the local scene is often the only way to find out what opportunities exist, who has openings, and how to put your name in the hat. This can take some legwork, but with the right approach, it can also be uniquely rewarding.
Cast a Wide Net
Master ballet teacher Jane Vorburger has moved several times and taught in more than a dozen states over her career. She always starts her job hunt by emailing her resumé (with a link to her Instagram account that shows clips of her teaching) to every studio in the area that offers dance styles that she teaches. “In New York City, I sent off 200 or 250 resumés,” she says.
She suggests reaching out a few months ahead to start the ball rolling. “If you know you’re going to move someplace in a year, say ‘Hey, I’d really love to guest-teach in the summertime,’ ” she suggests, sharing that she’ll often get calls seven or eight months later.
But most of the time, instead of directly asking for work, Vorburger simply introduces herself and then, once she’s in the new city, she’ll ask to observe a class. “I’ll say, ‘I heard that this director is really great, and I’d love to watch her teach,’ ” she says. “Then, when I observe the energy and the atmosphere, I know if my style and personality is even going to fit.” She says studio owners are often very open to this, and it sets a helpful tone for long-term relationship development—and gets her foot in the door in an authentic way.
Tap Into the Local Higher Ed Community
Dance professors at nearby colleges and universities can sometimes be uniquely helpful resources. “I’ve found that dance faculty in the higher education space tend to be plugged into the local dance community,” says Melissa Greenblatt, interim executive director of the National Dance Education Organization. They often know the schools and studios with the best reputations, and who’s who around town. They’re also, typically, pretty easy to contact, since email addresses are often published on higher ed websites. “That’s how I’ve gotten some referrals,” Greenblatt says of her own experiences when she’s moved.
Share That You’re Searching
If you’re a member of any dance teacher groups on social media, or attend NDEO’s national conference or webinars, don’t be shy about sharing that you’re looking for work. “Make connections with other teachers,” Greenblatt says. “You can say, ‘I’m new to this city or state—does anybody have recommendations?’ ” She points out that sometimes a great job might be two or three connections down the line, so it can pay off to put yourself out there even among those who can’t offer you an immediate gig.
Take Class
If you’re still actively dancing, use a move as an excuse to have some fun trying out a bunch of local studios. “I would take as many classes as I could that were appropriate,” says Opran, who’s taught in places like New York City, Los Angeles, Pennsylvania, and Romania. “That’s how I would tap into the network.” Conversations with other dancers and teachers can clue you in to potential opportunities and create helpful connections. Through befriending other teachers, Opran has cultivated internal advocates at studios where he sought to teach.
Offer to Sub
Hiring a new teacher can be a big commitment. But schools often need substitutes, and hiring one for a single class is a pretty low-risk way to test out a potential faculty member. So Vorburger and Opran both recommend offering yourself up as a sub. “They don’t feel pressed to make a decision about hiring you for an entire year,” Vorburger says. Giving a one-off class offers directors a chance to see your teaching style, how their students react, and how you fit in with the rest of the faculty.
Say Yes to Every Job
Sometimes, the gigs up for grabs might feel like a stretch for your skillset. But Vorburger suggests accepting each one. “Even if something seems just a little bit uncomfortable, or you don’t really want to work on a Saturday, do it,” she says. For instance, Opran shares that teaching a one-off staff development class for professors at Harvard snowballed into other opportunities at the university. Vorburger feels taking every job offered has helped build her reputation anytime she’s moved. “Your name will get spread around town,” she says. Even better? She’s found it’s also made her a better teacher.