Becoming a Dance Major - Page 5

actingreacting1 · 09-17-2007, 11:47 PM

I hope this isn't off topic but I'm wondering if anyone here can point me in the right direction. I'm currently an undergraduate dance major and I'm trying to investigate some options for graduate dance study.
I'm looking for some programs that offer a balance between strong technical training as well as instruction in pedagogy and choreography. I'm more interested in a balance of jazz, tap and ballet rather than a strictly modern, contemporary or ballet program.
My goal is to (after my performing career) become a musical theatre choreographer and/or teach dance at the university level.
Does anyone have any input?

MommaMeg · 09-26-2007, 10:25 AM

I just finished reading all of this wonderful information. How I wish this thread was up when my D and I were searching for dance colleges and options. The whole dance thing can be a very confusing process since there are so many different variables involved. However, she is in her second year at NYU Tisch and loves it. I would be happy to answer any questions regarding this program and the other schools in NYC. (She confined her search there). To add to the list of programs Hunter College in Manhattan offers a BA in dance. We had a friend who attended and graduated with a double major. I believe Hunter is part of the SUNY system and the cost is much more reasonable than NYU - The best advice I can give anyone looking for a dance program is to watch a student performance. That will give you the best look at the program and what is actually offered. Watching classes helps as well. We found that the tour rhetoric was often at odds with the actual level of training etc. Best wishes to all who are dance parents and beginning this process. Another bit of advice - have back-ups. My daughter had at least four - thankfully she didn't need them.

pjsssss · 09-30-2007, 08:41 PM

I also started another thread at http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/...10#post4405510
which may have some additional info.

maneromerito · 10-05-2007, 10:14 AM

Hi
I'm interested in continguing with my ballet and contemporary dance classes in college, and also want to study physics do you know any college that is really good in dance and in sciences??? Is there a way for studying in two different colleges at the same time, I mean, do colleges associate together so that you can take some classes in one college and others in the other?

MommaMeg · 10-05-2007, 10:55 AM

Hey
We did not research double majors. However, my D has several friends at Tisch who are doing the double major thing - one is even pre-med. One thing to keep in mind is the a BFA in dance will be performance oriented. That means lots of extra time rehearsing. You may wish to check into dance programs with a BA instead of the BFA. We had a friend who did double major at Hunter College in dance and econ. Another option might be to mjaor in the sciences and get a minor in dance. There are tons of options out there for that. Most college programs are geared toward ballet, contemporary, and modern so there would be no problem there. Good luck.

unsoccer-mom · 10-05-2007, 11:24 AM

Maneromerito: Take a serious look at Smith College. I don't know that a double major in Dance and Science would be possible, but you could certainly do a major and a minor in either. Smith has a wonderful Dance department and their Picker Engineering Program is terrific. Visit the Smith thread under Liberal Arts Colleges and you will find a number of parents posting with science oriented dancer children at Smith. The Picker Engineering program has agreements with a number of other schools that guarantee your admittance to grad programs when a 3.5 gpa is maintained. These include Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Michigan.

http://www.science.smith.edu/departm...ngin/about.php

icesk8mom · 10-05-2007, 05:42 PM

Maneromerito,
As I read my e-mail on your post, I immediately thought of both Mount Holyoke and Smith. They are both members of the Five College Consortium of the Pioneer Valley, Massachusetts and both have excellent science programs. I see that unsoccer-mom has given you a link for Smith. Here's one for Mount Holyoke:

http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/phys/students/index.shtml

and one for the dance program, which includes a link for the five college program:

http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/dance/

churchmusicmom · 10-06-2007, 03:26 AM

Maneromerito, also check out Barnard College in NYC. My d is a junior there who continues her dance training and is a neuroscience major. Physics would, of course, be available and classes could be taken at either Barnard or Columbia. A double major would be an option or you could continue dancing as intensively as you want (six levels offered in Ballet and contemp. plus other dance styles) while majoring in your desired area of study (as my d does).

Good luck in your search!

mommafulms · 12-03-2007, 10:34 PM

My daughter visited U Arts as one of her college possibilities and while the people were friendly and open and she loved the area, the acedemics were next to nothing.
hope this helps

icesk8mom · 12-04-2007, 11:44 AM

Another thought...SUNY Buffalo. My older D is in her senior year there, double majoring in dance and poli sci, with a journalism minor. She is working her bun off (ballet pun intended) and has overloaded every semester except her first, but it looks like she'll finish in four years!

jasmom · 12-04-2007, 01:06 PM

icesk8, My d auditioned/was accepted into the BFA. It sounds like your d has liked the school/program(?). I'd be interested in hearing of your d's experiences there (pros & cons).

nyumom · 12-04-2007, 01:59 PM

Also, take a look at the programs (science/dance) at Skidmore College.

soozievt · 12-04-2007, 04:28 PM

I just want to insert a congrats message to Jasmom's D!

jasmom · 12-04-2007, 05:03 PM

Thanks. I'd love to hear about others' good news as it becomes available.

icesk8mom · 12-05-2007, 09:10 AM

Congratulations Jasmom! Wonderful news!

My daughter has thrived at Buffalo. It felt "right" when we went up for the audition and truly was the right fit for her. Being in a small program gave her personal attention while being in a big university satisfied the environment she craved.

From my perspective, the dance program has served her well. She has developed as a dancer and as a person. When she needed some guidance and understanding because she was injured in an auto accident, the dance adviser and teachers were willing to work with her.

Wednesdays and Thursdays are her ultra busy days, but the next time I chat with her I will ask for her input and will get back to you.