NON-PROFESSIONAL DANCER: What It Is, And Why I'm Proud Of It

Why I continue to dance as an adult, even though I will never be a professional dancer.

When I’m meeting someone new and they ask me, “what do you do?” Typically I say “pharmacist” since that is technically my day job (what I get paid to do!). In other instances where it physically matters what I do (physical therapy, masseuse, nail salon), I tend to say “dancer” since that usually is easier than going into this explanation:

“I’m a “non-professional dancer,” a term I’m pretty sure I made up myself! I trained at a professional level then decided not to go into it professionally. I dance, choreograph, and perform with a company I founded with other dancers who are like me. 

It is a recreational company, called Exhalations Dance Theatre . We dance just below the professional level as far as hours trained and athletic ability, but we don’t get paid to perform; we do it out of love for contemporary dance. Its not easy working a full time job, attending classes and rehearsing for a performance!

So… Why do I spread myself so thin by working a full-time job, and also working ANOTHER unpaid full-time job that is also physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding?Yeah, sometimes I question it myself…

1. The first and most important reason I continue to dance as an adult is that I don’t believe in living my life EITHER/OR.

I don’t believe I should be EITHER a pharmacist OR a dancer; EITHER a mother OR a business owner. (I’m not there yet! But I hope one day to prove this point to others, and most importantly to myself!)

I don’t want to be told I have to fit into a specific box. I refuse to allow greater society to dictate to me that I can't squeeze everything into my life that matters.

PLEASE NOTE: I’m extremely fortunate that I have a husband who sees the world through the same lens, and is willing to help me make all of this possible. I am also aware that I am privileged enough to have these opportunities.

2. I think you should do what you love, even if its hard work.

And having a whole extra business to manage, direct, choreograph, dance and train for is A LOT of extra work. But I love it. Its worth it to me because I love it.

YOLO right? I know I will spend a lot of time in my life doing things I don’t want to do, so I am willing to work hard to do things I WANT to do.

3. Dancing is a great workout.

And I really hate running, and I’m actually not that great of a swimmer (which is a shame really, considering my family is LITERALLY from a Greek Island).

Dance, specifically ballet and contemporary, is one of the fastest way to burn calories. When we are in season for a performance its a lot easier to stay in shape because

A) You're in rehearsal.

B) You have a deadline (performance) for your fitness goals.

C) Our particular rehearsal season is extremely strenuous and requires cross-training or class outside of rehearsal.

The hard part is the off-season when there isn’t someone on your back...

4. Dance is great for mental stimulation.

It is JUST as important to exercise your mind as it is your body as you get older. Learning choreography is one of the BEST ways to increase mental stimulation, improve memory, and fight mental aging. Even one class a week can make a big difference in memory formation.

5. I have always made my best friendships through dance.

I have found this to be true as an adult as well, birds of a feather and all… I think this can be for two reasons:

A.) Dancers (and other theater performers) spend time together moving towards a common (achievable) goal; I think this tends to increase bonding and friendship with those you spend time with.

B.) In my current company, Exhalations, all of the dancers are choosing to be there for the love of it. They all have jobs and careers outside of dance performance, so for them- this is what makes them happy.

A big group of happy people meeting for a common goal doing the thing that they love; I would be worried if we didn’t become friends.

To me, dance is worth the extra time, energy, and pain, because it enriches me in so many ways. Without it my life may be simpler, but I know it wouldn't be as happy. 

If you have any questions about being a “non-professional” dancer, about Exhalations Dance Theatre, or about anything else I would be happy to answer them!

Love from Katie 

#dance #dancer #contemporarydancer #contemporarydance #dancers #choreographer #choreographers #nonprofessionaldancer #dancerfriends #exhalationsdancetheatre #dancelife #dancerlife #pittsburghdance #danceworld #danceblog #danceblogger #dancerblog