#WorkingDancers Shaté L. Hayes #WorkingDancers Shaté L. Hayes

Dance Icon David Winters Show Us What Happens When Tough Guys Dance

David Winters has produced and directed over 80 feature films and over 200 television shows and TV movies, and is recognized as nothing short of an icon in the entertainment industry. In Tough Guys Do Dance, he shares many fascinating and, at times, jaw-dropping behind-the-scenes stories regarding his associations with some of the biggest names in show business—names like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, and Michael Jackson, to name a few. It is filled with personal stories of David’s life that at times may seem hard to imagine and is told with David’s personal voice and real-life humility in a way that only he could tell.

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Dance Career 101, Finding Work Shaté L. Hayes Dance Career 101, Finding Work Shaté L. Hayes

When to Walk Away from a Dance Job

Being a professional is about more than just exchanging money for movement.  Being a professional also calls for the use of wisdom in choosing the projects that are in your best professional or personal interest.  Exercising such wisdom means you'll sometimes have to turn down a gig.  Continue reading to discover when it's best to walk away from your dance job.  

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Money Matters Shaté L. Hayes Money Matters Shaté L. Hayes

Protect Your Pockets: How to Make Sure Your Dance Job Pays You

If you've been through a situation where you weren't paid for your work (like many of us have), the bad news is that you lost out on money that you were counting on and, in fact, earned.  The good news, however, is that you learned a valuable lesson on how brutal the business can be.

Whether you've experienced this or not, continue reading to discover 5 ways you can protect your pockets from this type of misfortune. 

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Professional Skills, Dance Career 101 Guest Contributor Professional Skills, Dance Career 101 Guest Contributor

Give YOURSELF a Break!: 3 Ways to Boost Your Dance Career with Grad School

If you’re looking for a great way to take matters into your own hands, to give YOURSELF a break, and to launch (or relaunch) your professional career and personal life, then grad school might just be the next step for you.  Check out three of the most important things I learned during grad school and how you can use them to give your dance career an immediate boost.  

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Dance Career 101, Professional Skills Shaté L. Hayes Dance Career 101, Professional Skills Shaté L. Hayes

Work Like a Pro: Why It's So Important for Dancers to Have Their Own Website

When it comes to auditioning and self-submitting, your materials can be the key to you getting the job or not.  A great headshot and resume are a necessity to being a professional dancer, but why not go the extra mile?  Keep reading to find out why it's so important for you to have your own website too. 

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Inspiration, Mindset Shaté L. Hayes Inspiration, Mindset Shaté L. Hayes

What to Do While You're Waiting for Your Dreams to Come True

Apparently, dancers know where to look for jobs and auditions.  We know where to turn for classes.  We may even know where to turn for help with taxes, insurance, etc.  But it seems to me that we don't know where to find peace to help us weather the storms.  Here are two strategies that have helped me maintain my peace while I'm waiting for my dreams to come true.  

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