Hip hop dancer: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering hip hop dancer

You offer hip hop routines for parties, concerts, school events and corporate events. This guide covers what customers ask, how to win the booking and what to show on your profile.

What customers ask

  • Can you choreograph a routine to our song?
  • How many dancers will come, and can I see a video?
  • Do you need a mat or a particular floor?
  • Can guests learn a move or join the routine?
  • What if one of your dancers cannot attend?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask about the event type, the song, the stage or floor, the audience age and whether guests should join
  • Send a video of a live routine at an event, labeled with the event type and audience size
  • Put the dancer count, the routine length, the music plan, the floor needs and the costume in the written quote
  • Share a sample routine style and a few music options, so the customer can choose a mood
  • Confirm the stage size, the floor type, the sound system and the cue plan with the venue before the event
  • Ask for the song and any edits at least two weeks before the event
  • Name your backup plan and confirm the lineup in writing

What to put on your profile

  • Videos of live routines at events, with the audience size listed
  • Photos of the crew in costume and in performance
  • A list of the event types and song styles you perform
  • Your insurance status and the venue types where you have performed

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a short guest lesson as an optional add-on for a party
  • Suggest a second routine for a longer event so the crowd gets more energy
  • Recommend a floor check with the venue before the day

Licenses and permits

No state license is usually required for hip hop performance. Carry general liability insurance, any local business license that applies and a written note of the venue's music and floor rules, and check state and local requirements with your licensing agency before taking jobs.

Questions

Who handles licensing for a song in a routine?

Venues often hold public performance licensing for recorded music. Ask each venue what it covers and note the answer in the contract.

How do I keep dancers safe on a stage?

Check the floor, the stage edges and any props before the show. Keep the rehearsal space clear and warm up the crew before the performance.

What if the customer wants the routine changed last minute?

Accept the change only if the crew can learn it in time. Confirm the new version in writing and agree on who approves the final cut.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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