You've spent years falling in love with Lindy Hop, mastering the swingout, and spending every weekend on the social dance floor. But have you ever wondered if you could turn your passion into a profession? Here's your comprehensive guide to making that transition.

Finding Your Professional Dance Identity

Before you start seeking paid opportunities, you need to define what makes you unique as a dancer. The swing scene is filled with talented people, so understanding your specific strengths is crucial.

Are you an exceptional follower with flawless connection? A lead with incredible musicality? Maybe your strength is in vintage jazz steps or authentic Charleston. Perhaps you excel at teaching beginners or choreographing routines.

Spend time reflecting on feedback you've received from dance partners and instructors. Consider what aspects of swing dancing come most naturally to you and bring you the most joy. This is likely where your professional strengths lie.

Building Your Professional Toolkit

1 Develop a Versatile Repertoire

While social dancing primarily requires solid fundamentals, paid gigs often demand more. Expand your knowledge to include:

• Performance-ready pieces (solo jazz, partnered routines)
• Wedding-appropriate dances (simple, romantic, crowd-pleasing moves)
• Vintage jazz lines and authentic movements
• Basic versions of moves that are easy to teach to beginners

2 Create a Dance Portfolio

You'll need high-quality videos and photos to showcase your skills. Invest in a professional video shoot that includes:

• Social dancing footage (showing connection and musicality)
• Performance clips (if available)
• Teaching snippets (demonstrating your instruction style)
• Testimonials from students or clients

3 Establish Your Online Presence

Create a professional website that includes:

• Your bio and dance philosophy
• Services offered (performances, teaching, choreography)
• Your portfolio (videos and photos)
• Testimonials
• Contact information

Additionally, maintain active social media profiles dedicated to your dance profession on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, where visual content shines.

Finding Paid Opportunities

Weddings

Many couples hire swing dancers for their wedding in several ways:

• First dance choreography and instruction
• Surprise performance during the reception
• Entertainment during cocktail hour
• Teaching guests basic moves to get the party started

Network with wedding planners, photographers, and venues. Create packages specifically for weddings with clear pricing.

Corporate Events

Companies often hire entertainers for:

• Conference entertainment
• Team-building activities
• Product launch parties
• Holiday parties

Corporate gigs typically pay more than private events. Reach out to event planning companies and corporate entertainment agencies.

Teaching Opportunities

If you have a knack for breaking down movement, teaching can become a steady income stream:

• Approach local dance studios about teaching beginner swing classes
• Offer private lessons for wedding couples or serious students
• Create online courses or tutorials
• Host workshops at local community centers or colleges

Navigating the Business Side

Turning professional means treating your dancing as a business:

• Set up a separate bank account for your dance income
• Track expenses (costumes, travel, music, website)
• Understand tax obligations for self-employed individuals
• Invest in liability insurance, especially if you're teaching
• Create standard contracts for different types of gigs

Staying Inspired While Going Pro

One challenge of turning your passion into a profession is maintaining your love for social dancing. Set boundaries to ensure you still have opportunities to dance just for fun without the pressure of performing or networking.