[mkrichardson]

I have an undergrad degree in dance education and teach at a public middle school. I am questioning my career choice, but don't know what else I could do with these qualifications. Obviously dancer/choreographer is a choice, but I am looking for something with a more substantial salary. Starving artist is not my thing.

[Wondergirl]

Get into an area of mental health counseling that encourages clients/patients (even seniors) to express themselves artistically through art, music, and dance. Thus, contact area hospitals (psych units) and mental health facilities. There are several near me (including a children's/teen facility) that would welcome you with open arms! If you teach classes as an independent contractor, you can set your own fee usually, or if you become a traveling dance teacher (traveling from hospital to hospital), you would work out your payment with the hospitals/clinics.

You yourself can promote this idea of using dance as a coping mechanism. Art and music are already widely used. Teach basic dance steps. Allow the client/patient to learn how his body moves, so that he can gain better control of thoughts and actions. Write newspaper articles about this along with flyers that you post in targeted places (like senior centers).

By the way, grad school offers courses to their future counselors/social workers in this too, so you could teach part of a course, "Counseling through the Expressive Arts: Dancing For Your Mental Health."

[Fr_Chuck]

What do you want to do, what are some of your other interest