The purpose of this study was to identify and examine the methods that professional dancers use to engage fully into their work as artists. Participants (N=15) were professional dancers from five European nationalities, (7 females; 8 males), currently performing for three major Scotland-based dance companies, including two professional free-lance dancers (M age= 25.6 years). Grounded theory methodology (Strauss & Corbin, 1998) was used to derive a core construct labelled "Multiple Engagement of Self." The results are compared to existing research in dance and performance development literature and incorporated into a three-component ecological model of expertise development, namely Deliberate Practice, Deliberate Experience and Transfer of Skills. A shift from models of assessment to models of development in consideration of talent and expertise is suggested for dancers, educators, and choreographers alike. (Contains 1 figure and 1 table.)