riocarmenstar

What can you do with a dance major besides teach dance? I love to dance but I don't see the use in having a dance major. What do you think?

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Slowdive

Great for a managerial position at your local Burger King or other fine fast food establishment. Not so much for anything else, I'm afraid.

WhoAmI2U

Hardly anyone other than at conservatory type schools majors in dance only. Nearly all of the dance majors we met at campus visits were doubling in other majors. Some go on to dance in companies, some go on to teach in studios or schools (if they earned teaching certification). Some wind up in careers that have nothing to do with dance.

Why major in dance? Other than the obvious desire to have a career in dance, I have known people who used their dance scholarships to help pay for school. I have known people who wanted to continue to dance in college while earning a degree in another major so why not major in dance also since they enjoy it?

But if you plan to have any kind of career as a dancer after graduation, make sure your training will be strong enough to prepare you. A lot of schools offer majors in dance, but not a lot of them will have you company ready at graduation.

keepingcalm

What's the point of a psychology major, or sociology or history ... There are many college majors that do not prepare you for a specific job or career. Dance is as viable as many, many other majors.

paradoxical

Most dance majors will not have professional careers as performers in dance and theatrical productions, television or film. But a solid college education with a major in dance can be an excellent background for various professions in addition to choreography and dance pedagogy: arts administration, not-for-profit management, law (related to arts, intellectual property or entertainment), design and production, therapy and rehabilitation (physical, arts, occupational, recreational), primary and secondary education, theatre, dance video and film-making, dance medicine/science/history/criticism.

I think it helps to recognize that serious dance training takes extraordinary discipline, tenacity, dedication and time-management as well as good health, athleticism and presentation skills. High quality dance productions require excellent organizational management, teamwork, creativity and artistry. And a good college will require all students to learn to think and write critically.

paradoxical

Even at schools with a very good record of placing dance majors in professional companies, pro careers are for the exceptionally talented and fortunate few.

compmom

I know many people who make dance part of their life, whether by starting their own small company, doing choreography, dancing in an ensemble, or teaching. many do have "day jobs." Artists of all kinds are involved in entrepreneurial efforts to make their own opportunities, and also in outreach and education.

It isn't just a matter of "making it" into a big name professional company.

Studying dance is rigorous and taps into all kinds of other disciplines. One path is to get a master's or doctorate and teach at the college level, as well.

cptofthehouse

To dance, I would think. There are professions in dance. I know a number of dancers. If you want to dance professionally, majoring in dance if you are going to college is a wise choice. Even if you do not end up a dancer, there are many jobs associated with the performing arts that require a knowledge of dance or where dance is needed. My son has a BFA in MT from a school where dance is a big part of the major. He has found his ability to dance and knowing the fundamentals very important in many of the jobs he has had.

elonraearevn

My girlfriend's a dance major who's on the pre-physical therapy track with the goal of going to grad school and becoming a physical therapist.