Let’s look back over the past few months at comments from various artists about the skills a dancer needs in 2013.

Aaron Mattocks (Brooklyn, NY)

Be flexible in terms of your skill set. Take acting classes, voice classes…more and more work utilizes the voice, not just singing, but speaking, and the performer as a whole being, not just as a technical dancer. Know things outside of dance…be an interesting human being. Read books, watch films, go to museums and look at movements in the visual arts that correspond to the year of your favorite dances. Listen to music that isn’t current. Use technology thoughtfully. Always be respectful to your peers: I have been surprised again and again by the people that have come back into my life and had major influence on my career. Most of my job opportunities can be traced back to two people I met and danced for in college. Literally, I could make a diagram, and every job I’ve ever had could probably be traced back in some way to either Kathy Westwater or Christopher Williams. So look around you…the people you see every day are going to be the people who will shape your future. Treat them that way–they could change your life.

Colleen Thomas (New York, NY)

I think it’s important for dancers to be versatile and to have an understanding of their individual body. It’s also important to be able to dive into a creative environment without hesitation and to genuinely have a hunger for curiosity.

Stephen Koester (Salt Lake City, UT)

To be impassioned, articulate spokespersons and advocates for dance.  The general public doesn’t understand art – its value, its attributes, its importance to a well-functioning society.  Speak up for yourself and educate others.  Other skills include patience and perseverence.

Nina Haft (Oakland, CA)

Time management skills – life is hectic and expensive, and dance will always take more time than anything. Thank God.

Versatility – make it a habit to train in things that are new to you. You might find you have a special affinity for something that you misjudged.

Self-care – sleeping and eating well, having fun and cross-training are key to longevity in our art form.

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