Ask A LehrerDancer, Episode 1
The gang at LehrerDance sits down and answers your questions in the inaugural episode of ‘Ask A LehrerDancer.’ All questions are submitted by our loyal fans at ask@lehrerdance.org
In this episode the dancers discuss their favorite pieces, favorite places to tour and what to bring with you when you’re on the road.
This is a pretty neat video series we’re doing. Watch it. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry. You’ll fall a little bit more in love with us me.
I was going to just post certain snippets of the article, but screw it. While the numbers are specific to NYC, the underlying message is true for all professional (concert) dancers everywhere. TRUST. ME.
The average professional dancer in New York City earns only $28,000 a year, according to a study to be released Monday by Dance NYC. The amount is just above the nation’s poverty line.
Of that income, just 55% comes from dance jobs, on average. More than 40% of the dancers surveyed earned less than $5,000 from the dance industry, according to the report, “Dance Workforce Census: Earnings Among Individuals 21-35.” Two-thirds made less than $20,000 from dancing.
The study, which surveyed 1,231 dancers, is the first to focus on this age group, arguably the time when dancers are in their prime. This group also represents the future of the dance industry.
Just like struggling actors who have to work many jobs to make ends meet, it may come as little surprise that dancers are struggling as well. But dance advocates said they hoped that by releasing real data, more private and state funding would be given to the field.
“The value of this study is its presentation of the first concrete research relating to the untenable economic plight of young dancers, choreographers and administrators working within the dance field in New York City,” Beverly D’Anne, former director of the dance program at the New York State Council on the Arts, said in a statement. “If the passion, discipline and creativity of these individuals is not to be wasted, it must be allowed to flourish in a way that confirms that dance is, indeed, a respected profession.”
Indeed, more than 40% of the dancers surveyed work three to five jobs to make ends meet. Though 90% of the respondents have at least a college degree, a quarter of them reported working in restaurants or hospitality, while 22% said they had administrative jobs.
Nearly half of the group said they live in Brooklyn, while 94% perform in Manhattan. The majority of respondents, 73%, are so busy and strapped for cash that they only attend two or fewer dance performances a month.
“The reality of insufficient resources in dance and evidence that dance workers ages 21-35 somehow get by, even thrive, despite the odds, provide little comfort,” said Lane Harwell, director of Dance NYC. “For the future of the art form, we need to invest and think creatively about how to improve the lives of our workers, establish viable career paths, and nourish future leaders.”
a brief recap of our Home Season concert this past weekend, featured on buffalo.com.
find me!
LehrerDance, ready to premiere The Alliance at our Home Season concert, 10/1/11.
We’re a pretty epic company.
so, my company (yes, LehrerDance) is starting this new little web series thing. we want people to send in questions (ask a LehrerDancer!) and we’ll answer them on camera and post them all over the internet. there will also be weekly Get To Know A LehrerDancer vlogs that could incorporate specific questions.
so, since you all really love me and are hugely interested in my life as a dancer with LehrerDance, feel free to click the pic and submit some questions (or do so here or here). they don’t need to be directed at me personally, but they do need to be relevant, professional, and SFW. duh.
woo!
Give and Take
Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago
Choreography: Brock Clawson
I loved this piece from the first moment I saw it. even more so once I started learning it as a G2.
also, these are my friends!
Two Parts of Us
Choreography: Lindsey Leduc Brenner
Dancers: Cesar Salinas and Lindsey Leduc Brenner (my friends!)
[Lindsey and Cesar are incredible friends and dancers, and were essentially my mentors while I was in Chicago. this duet gives me chills and makes me want to dance with them forever and ever.]
we’re going to Erie, PA this weekend, and we’re headlining this little shindig of a show as the featured guest company.
I’m guessing the chances that it’ll be 80 degrees and sunny next weekend in Erie are pretty slim, but a boy can dream.
A Ritual Dynamic (excerpts)
LehrerDance
choreography by Jon Lehrer
[ps: CAN YOU FIND ME?! this was taken from our October home concert]
