Overview

The Dancer's Toolkit: A Step-by-Step Guide for Navigating Your Dance Career helps young dancers and dancers at any stage of their career prepare themselves to leap from their initial training to the professional world and begin or continue their journey with a plan and with confidence. Divided into five parts, The Dancer's Toolkit provides the logistics, experience, and encouragement necessary for understanding the reality of a professional dance career. Reinforced by testimonials from a diverse collection of esteemed professional dancers and industry leaders, the book explores the different aspects of a dance career, from training, auditioning, and performing to injury prevention, dancing with a disability, dancing at an advanced age, and more. With a narrative rooted in research, interviews, and personal experience, The Dancer's Toolkit provides a window into the challenging yet rewarding life of a professional dancer. This is the essential companion for anyone wishing to achieve their dream of becoming a professional dancer, whether they are a student in a university dance program, conservatory school, or private studio. The Dancer's Toolkit is an equally rich resource for professionals, teachers, dance administrators, funders, and audiences wishing to learn about the demands, dedication, commitment, and support necessary to achieve a successful career in dance.

Full Product Details

9781032289359

Table of Contents

Reviews

'Virginie Mécène takes us through the many possibilities and pathways for pursuing a career in dance through history, current companies, auditions, employment, education, and training. Infused by her experiences and perceptions as a performer, director, choreographer, and educator, this is a must-read for anyone to gain a better understanding of the wonder filled world of dance as a way of life.” Emiko Tokunaga, Author of An American Japanese Dancer, and Yasuko Tokunaga, former Director of Dance Boston Conservatory, Co-Artistic Directors of Tokunaga Dance Ko, USA 'The Dancers’ Toolkit: A Step-by-Step Guide for Navigating Your Dance Career offers tons of important advice, including insights into diverse dance career pathways. In her book, Virginie Mécène provides all the information necessary for dancers to learn how to navigate their careers and make informed decisions about their professional paths while building strategies to thrive. Whether you are an emerging or experienced dancer, you'll learn and be inspired. I highly recommend this book.' Janine Beckles, Associate Artistic Director and dancer at PHILANDCO! Dance Company, USA 'As the dance landscape continues to change, it is important for artists to have resources to assist them in selecting training programs and building their professional dance careers. This book provides valuable insight into the many facets of a professional dance career regardless of where an artist is on their dance journey.' Melanie Person, Co-Director of the Ailey School, Director of the Ailey/ Fordham BFA-Program, Ballet Department Chair, USA 'The Dancer’s Toolkit reminds us that mastery in dance isn’t built overnight – it’s forged through patience, persistence, and a deep commitment to growth. The chapter on training offers both encouragement and practical wisdom, guiding dancers to trust the process and embrace the long road toward excellence. It’s a wonderful reminder that giving your craft the time it deserves is the key to unlocking your full potential.' Jamar Robert, International Choreographer, former dancer at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, USA

“Virginie Mecene takes us through the many possibilities and pathways to pursue a career in dance through history, current companies, auditions, employment, education, and training. Infused by her experiences and perceptions as a performer, director, choreographer, and educator, this is a must read for anyone to gain a better understanding of the wonder filled world of dance as a way of life.” Emiko Tokunaga, Author of An American Japanese Dancer, and Yasuko Tokunaga, former Director of Dance Boston Conservatory, Co-Artistic Directors of Tokunaga Dance Ko, USA “The Dancers’ Toolkit: A Step-by-step Guide for Navigating Your Dance Career offers tons of important advice, including insights into diverse dance career pathways. In her book, Virginie Mecene provides all the information necessary for dancers to learn how to navigate their careers and make informed decisions about their professional paths while building strategies to thrive. Whether you are an emerging or experienced dancer, you'll learn and be inspired. I highly recommend this book."" Janine Beckles, Associate Artistic Director and dancer at Philadanco Dance Company, USA “As the dance landscape continues to change, it is important for artists to have resources to assist them in selecting training programs and building their professional dance careers. This book provides valuable insight into the many facets of a professional dance career regardless of where an artist is on their dance journey.” Melanie Person, Co-Director of the Ailey School, Director of the Ailey Fordham BFA-Program, Ballet Department Chair, USA “The Dancer’s Toolkit reminds us that mastery in dance isn’t built overnight—it’s forged through patience, persistence, and a deep commitment to growth. The chapter on training offers both encouragement and practical wisdom, guiding dancers to trust the process and embrace the long road toward excellence. It’s a wonderful reminder that giving your craft the time it deserves is the key to unlocking your full potential.” Jamar Robert, International Choreographer, former dancer at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, USA

Author Information

Virginie Mécène is a native of France with dual citizenship in the United States. A former Principal Dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company (1994–2006), she has danced with multiple other dance companies. At the Martha Graham Center, USA, and since 2007, her positions include Director of Graham 2 (2007–present), Director of the Graham School (2007–2015), and Program Director. She teaches and restages works at multiple national and international conferences. Her choreographic works have garnered acclaim in some of the most prestigious venues in the world, such as the New York City Center in New York City and the Palais Garnier in Paris.

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