As dancers, there comes a point in life when we are faced with the difficult decision of pursuing dance professionally or letting it succumb to other priorities. If and when you come to this crossroad, there are a few important things to consider to help mitigate the financial risks associated with going after your dreams.

Finances will make or break you before anything else. Having a solid understanding of the importance of finances will not only help you as a dancer but also in life in general. Many times, a dancer's income is sporadic, hinging on the ability to book gigs and find teaching openings. The pay also ranges widely, and that inconsistency can make it difficult to financially plan.

Save Ahead 

To make it as a professional dancer, it is likely that you'll end up in New York or Los Angeles at some point, and those cities are not cheap! 

Unless your parents are willing to help financially support you until you make it, you'll have to balance auditioning and training with making a living. That being the case, do yourself a favor and start saving as soon as you know you're serious about making the move. The more time you have to save the better. 

When planning to make the move, do your research. Look at the average cost for rent, food, transportation, dance classes, etc., in the city. In a best-case scenario, try to save at least three months' worth of expenses before making the move -- six months' worth would be even better. That way you're not stressing from day one, and you give yourself room to breath and for life to happen.

Stay Flexible

Another thing to consider is learning a craft that will allow you to get a flexible job. For example, teaching dance is great, but the competition in areas such as New York and L.A. is high. 

Getting a certification in pilates, barre, yoga, acro, or group fitness will make you much more marketable and open the door for you to get jobs at studios that essentially allow you to create your own schedule and get subs whenever you need them. This kind of flexibility is priceless and makes it a lot easier for you to get to that last-minute audition. Jobs like this can pay anywhere from $30-50 a class depending on the location and the studio -- not bad if you're able to fill your week with a substantial amount of classes. 

Working as a server in the restaurant industry is a well-known side gig for aspiring dancers, but working as a fitness instructor of some sort allows you to earn money and stay in shape, making you that much more competitive. We've known too many great dancers who have made the move only to return home three months later because they couldn't afford the cost of living. Don't let that be you!