3 Big Challenges High School Dancers Face (and How to Overcome Them)
High school is such a tricky time for dancers.
While the average high schooler might spend their afternoons doing homework, hanging out with friends, or participating in a few extracurriculars, a high school ballet dancer on the path to a professional career lives a dramatically different reality.
As a pre-professional dancer, your days are likely packed from early morning until late evening, juggling academic responsibilities with hours of rigorous training and rehearsals. Weekends aren’t for rest—they're for performances, auditions and competitions.
Every decision is made with your dance goals in mind. You may be working toward the goal of transitioning into a professional career straight out of high school, making this time in your life feel especially important when it comes to finding opportunities.
You’re not alone - one of the most common questions I get from dancers is how to find more opportunities—especially when you're in high school and trying to make decisions that will shape your future.
While there’s many reasons why finding opportunities may be difficult, let’s dive in to three of of the biggest challenges that I hear over and over again from dancers: location, time, and money.
1. Location
One of the biggest concerns I heard was from dancers who don’t live near a major city like New York or L.A. and feel like they're missing out on opportunities.
But here's the truth: there are still so many ways to get involved in meaningful dance experiences.
Start with your studio. Is there a youth company? A competition team? When I was training, I was a member of my school’s pre-professional ballet company Michigan Ballet Theatre, which functioned like a pre-professional company. We had to audition, and we were placed in ranks like trainee, apprentice, or company member. We took dedicated company classes, performed two full-length ballets a year, and danced in community events. It was a structured experience that mirrored what a professional company would be like.
If your studio doesn’t offer those things, ask your teachers if they’d be willing to help you enter a competition like Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) or another regional or national event. Even as an independent entry, you can participate - just make sure your teachers are on board.
Look outside your studio too. Touring ballet companies often hold auditions for student roles when they perform in regional theaters. When I was 13, American Ballet Theatre toured to Detroit and cast local dancers for their production of Le Corsaire. I rehearsed with the children’s cast on weekends and got to perform onstage with iconic ballerinas including THE Julie Kent. That experience was unforgettable—and it was also my first paycheck as a dancer: $40!
You can also check out opportunities at local community theaters or musical theater productions. These roles might not be classical ballet, but they still build stage presence, versatility, and confidence.
2. Time
Another huge challenge? Time. I hear this all the time from high school dancers: "I want to do more, but I just don’t have the time."
I completely understand. I was the same way in high school—overscheduled and constantly trying to fit in everything. But the reality is that no one can do it all. If you try to do everything, you’ll eventually burn out. You’ll get sick, exhausted, or lose your joy for dance.
So how do you manage your time strategically?
Start by defining your goals. Break them down into short-term goals (like improving your pointework or getting more stage time) and long-term goals (like joining a college dance program or a professional company).
Once you know your priorities, it becomes easier to choose what opportunities you need to say yes to and what you might need to put on hold.
It’s also a good idea to ask yourself: What season of life am I in? Do I have more time during summer? Winter break? Use those windows wisely.
For instance, summer is a great time to film audition videos, update your resume, take headshots, and get everything in order for the next audition season. Don’t wait until Nutcracker, final exams, and holidays are all colliding!
I share even more strategies for this in my blog post Realistic Time Management Strategies for Dancers. If time is a sticky point for you, definitely give it a read!
3. Money
Let’s be honest - dance training is expensive. Summer intensives, competitions, costumes, pointe shoes, private lessons…the costs add up quickly! But financial concerns don’t have to hold you back.
There are many ways to get creative and make dance opportunities more accessible:
Look for performance experiences that don’t require high fees. Community theater, regional productions, and even some touring companies may cast local students for minimal or no cost. In my case, performing with ABT didn’t cost anything—and I got paid!
Ask about scholarships. If you get into a summer program or workshop that you’re excited about, reach out to the organization. Let them know you're interested but need financial assistance. They might not advertise scholarships, but many do have options if you ask.
Inquire about work-study opportunities. Could you clean mirrors at your studio once a week? Be a class assistant? Sew pointe shoes or rhinestone costumes for other dancers? These can offset tuition costs while keeping you immersed in the dance world.
Consider a part-time job. When I was in high school, I worked retail, waitressed and babysat to earn extra income. If you're willing to get creative, there are many ways to make it work.
One thing I see often with high school dancers (I was this way too!) is waiting for someone else to tell you what opportunities to pursue. I remember when I started auditioning for companies, I asked my teacher which ones she thought would be a good fit. I was so worried about which companies would like me, that I never stopped to think about what I actually wanted!
That's why I always begin work with my clients by having them complete the Intentional Career Handbook. It walks dancers through over 50 guided questions designed to help you reflect on what you truly want in your career. Because here’s the thing: opportunities don’t often fall into your lap. You have to go out and seek them. And to do that effectively, you need clarity on your goals.
If working one-on-one with me isn’t right for you right now, that’s okay—you can still get the handbook on my website. It’s a powerful way to reset your thinking and start approaching your dancing as a career.
If you’ve been feeling out of alignment, unsure where to look next, or confused about your next steps, this resource can help you take control of your path.
You deserve a career that aligns with your values, goals, and joy—and you have the power to build it. Now go out there and find those opportunities!
Meet the Author
Caitlin Sloan is a Dance Educator and Career Mentor based in Madison, WI.
Caitlin received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Grand Valley State University and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Missouri.
She danced professionally for nine years with companies including Ballet Tucson and Missouri Contemporary Ballet (now Mareck Dance). Caitlin has taught at schools all over the Midwest, most notably serving as Director of The School of Missouri Contemporary Ballet and Youth Company Director for Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. She is currently on faculty at the School of Madison Ballet.
Caitlin founded The Brainy Ballerina® in 2019, a virtual resource providing support and guidance for aspiring ballet dancers. Follow @thebrainyballerina on Instagram for your daily dose of dance career guidance and inspiration.
