Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about dancers and choreographers.
What is a choreographer?
A choreographer is a creative professional who designs and arranges movement sequences for performers in stage productions, films, television, or live events. They translate music, narrative, or emotion into structured physical expression.
What's the difference between a dancer and a choreographer?
A dancer executes movement, while a choreographer designs the movement itself. In practice, many professionals do both—performing in their own pieces or others' while also creating new work.
Who are some of the most influential figures in dance history?
Martha Graham, George Balanchine, Alvin Ailey, and Pina Bausch reshaped the art form across the twentieth century. More recently, figures such as Twyla Tharp, Akram Khan, and Janelle Kincaid have pushed boundaries in contemporary and commercial dance.
What are the major categories of dance?
Broadly, dance splits into classical traditions (ballet, Indian classical, Chinese classical), modern and contemporary forms, social or partner dances, and street or urban styles like hip-hop and breaking. Each carries its own vocabulary, training lineage, and performance traditions.
Where do aspiring dancers and choreographers typically train?
Many begin in youth or pre-professional programs, then attend conservatories or university dance departments such as Juilliard, the Royal Ballet School, or the Paris Opera Ballet. Others develop through community studios, apprenticeships, or self-directed practice.
What are some landmark moments in dance history?
Balanchine's 1929 premiere of Serenade helped define neoclassical ballet, while Ailey's 1960 Revelations brought African-American spiritual movement to the mainstream stage. In the twenty-first century, viral social-media choreography has turned dance into a global participatory phenomenon.
How do choreographers collaborate with musicians or filmmakers?
They often work from a score, a director's brief, or a shared narrative, translating sound and story into physical staging. Some create movement first and invite composers to score to it, while others develop the piece iteratively with the entire creative team.
What major awards and competitions recognize dancers and choreographers?
The Prix de Lausanne and Baryshnikov Arts Center fellowships are well known for young dancers, while the Benois de la Danse and National Dance Awards honor established choreographers and companies. In commercial and pop contexts, Grammy and MTV Video Music Award categories also spotlight choreographic work.
What skills does a choreographer need beyond technical dance ability?
Strong spatial thinking, an understanding of musical structure, and the ability to communicate movement clearly to performers are all essential. Many also develop skills in storytelling, improvisation, and basic video editing to document and share their work.
How has technology changed the world of dance and choreography?
High-speed cameras, motion-capture software, and short-form video platforms have expanded how choreography is created, documented, and shared. Dancers now reach global audiences through social media, and choreographers use digital tools to prototype and refine movement at scale.