Becoming a Dance Major

kidzadancer · 02-14-2007, 01:30 PM

I've lurked through the MT thread for quite some time, but 'dance' is usually referred to as just a part of, and not really a large part, of the triple threat aspects of a musical theater major. My D is determined to be a dance major. Not a ballet dancer, but modern, jazz, lyrical, tap and of course some ballet-the back bone of a dancer. Choreography also gives her great joy.

D is a junior this year and has danced for years, but has gotten more serious with ballet after realizing she was not where she needed to be, technically. She is now with a local ballet conservatory among others.

Does anyone have experience with auditioning for this major? Do 'unifieds' exist for dance majors? We have a list of schools to visit and she'll be going to Point Park for six weeks this summer, so the fun has already begun, but input/insight from anyone out there with DANCE major experience might make this experience a bit smoother.

Thanks, in advance, for all of us figuring this out.

nyumom · 02-14-2007, 07:49 PM

A friend of mine's daughter attends Skidmore, and is double-majoring, with one of her majors being Dance. Reports that I'm getting are that the program is very well-regarded, so it might be worth checking it out.

jasmom · 02-16-2007, 12:47 PM

kidzadancer,
I too have a Jr. dancing daughter, and we are beginning to tour colleges. We're looking at BA's (audition and non) with opportunities for double major as well as BFA's. I don't know of any unifieds for dance. (A quick aside, my s -- a jr. in college (drama) -- will likely be attending PP's 6 wk program as well, to improve his dance skills.) We'll have to stay in touch.

Chedva · 02-16-2007, 01:22 PM

I don't know of any unifieds for dance, but if you want additional information on various schools with dance majors, see if you can pick up January's Dance Spirit magazine - that's generally the "College" edition. My (sr) dancing daughter didn't want an audition program, since she's not sure of the major, and also didn't want one that concentrated in modern - very difficult to find. Most college dance programs tend to be modern in nature.

kidzadancer · 02-16-2007, 02:52 PM

Thank you for your suggestions! D does subscribe to Dance Spirit, but there are so many schools with dance programs. Skidmore is nearby, so we plan to take a tour there. I'm thinking that we should begin looking now, so she'll know where she'll want to audtion in the Fall. It's nice for the MT majors who can do several at once.

Is anyone familiar with UArts in Philly? Or the Marymount Manhattan dance program? I've read mixed reviews on the MT board. How difficult is the Forham/Ailey program to get into?

Jasmom, has your S been to Pt Pk before? I think this will be a good indicator of many things for my D.
Chedva, where will your D be going in this fall?

Chedva · 02-16-2007, 03:02 PM

Still waiting to hear. Her top choices are Vassar, Wesleyan and Muhlenberg (at least this week!).

One other of d's criteria is that non-majors are allowed to take classes. Marymount doesn't allow that so it was off our list. From what I've heard (strictly 27th hand, though), it's a strong program.

Good luck with all of this - it's an interesting ride! (I will admit that I was relieved when d took the audition route off the table - made logistics so much easier!)

nyumom · 02-16-2007, 04:21 PM

kidzadancer,
I have a friend who teaches in the dance dept. at U. Arts, and I can ask her about the program. It seems to have a fairly good reputation - lots of performing opportunities, etc., but it's not as academically-oriented as a school like Skidmore. I will also try to find out about Fordham/Ailey (at Lincoln Center) - D might be able to find out some info. about it from the students (she has friends at Fordham Lincoln Center). It might take be a few days or so to gather the info., so I'll post if/when I have it.
Best of luck.

kidzadancer · 02-19-2007, 08:04 AM

nyumom, D just read all of this and is interested in any insight you can offer. I think we'll try to get to Skidmore next Mon. during school break, since it's only 2 1/2 to 3 hr drive. I know she's also very interested in continuing to study Spanish, so she'll have to decide on a conservatory or Liberal Arts setting.

Chedva, Those are all excellent schools. I hope she's accepted to all! I have heard good things abut Marymount too, but that there are not many performing opps., though that note was on the the MT board, so it could be different in the dance program.

jasmom, Where is your daughter looking? Is she studying somewhere over the summer?

jasmom · 02-19-2007, 08:35 PM

kidz, I'm responding via PM re: some of your specific questions. I'll post some places she's considering as soon as they take shape. Re: s, no, this would be his first experience with Point Park.

churchmusicmom · 02-21-2007, 12:27 PM

My d considered majoring in dance but always wanted strong academics as well...no BFA or conservatories. We are in Georgia, and there was NOTHING that seemed to fit her very near.

In the end she had a choice between University of Michigan and Barnard College (affilitated with Columbia University). She chose Barnard because the dance program there is very adaptable to each dancer's needs/level of skill, and it is in NYC where she can take additional dance classes outside of her college environment. She can also audition for the occasional show! Michigan was great as well, but the dance major there was way less condusive to achieving a double major....

Best of luck in your d's search. I understand that Point Park's dance program is wonderful and will be very interested to hear about her experiences there.

BTW, my d (who is now in her second year at Barnard) is a Neuroscience major and dance minor. She LOVES it there and is still a very strong dancer. The liberal arts college environment at Barnard really encouraged her to stretch her boundaries!

dancersmom · 02-21-2007, 01:28 PM

Kidzadancer,

I'd suggest taking a look at Oklahoma City University's School of American Dance and Arts Management along with Point Park and the University of the Arts. These schools offer a wide range of tap, jazz, and modern dance classes in addition to their ballet courses. Most dance schools in the United States have either a ballet or a modern emphasis. The 3 schools named above allow dance majors to focus on American dance forms (tap and jazz) if they desire.

manuelo · 02-21-2007, 03:03 PM

A good friend of my daughter's is pursuing a BFA in dance next year. She is particularly interested in modern dance and has applied to the following schools: Fordham/Ailey; Boston Conservatory; SUNY Purchase; Cal Arts; UC Irvine; NYU Tisch; U of Arts; and Juilliard. I also know the Indiana University at Bloomington has a great ballet program, and I have heard good things about the dance program at Butler. These programs are pre-professional programs, and are more training-oriented than programs at traditional liberal arts schools with good dance programs, like Skidmore or Barnard.

kidzadancer · 02-21-2007, 07:57 PM

Wow, I'll never be afraid to post again with such friendly and informative responses. Thank you all. Skidmore is on the list because of it's proximity, though D is interested in Dance and Spanish, she's not that concerned with the schools ranking, just those two programs. A member of the cast of Hairspray gave her some advice and he basically said don't go into too much debt if you really want to work in this profession because you'll have to get other work just to pay off your student loans. She hasn't forgotten that.

Churchmusicmom, D has a former dancer from her studio in her soph year, in dance at Barnard also. She loves it as well.

dancersmom, thank you for the advice on Oklahoma, it's something to look at though it might be pushing it distance-wise.

manuelo, SUNY Purchase is one I've heard mentioned, and we'll have to look into the program, thanks, and Butler, is that in PA? I'll check that out too.

nyumom, were you able to get any info on U Arts? Problably too soon, but thank you for checking!

nyumom · 02-21-2007, 10:50 PM

sorry - I meant to say "I'll be able to focus" - I need to spell-check my work.

nyumom · 02-21-2007, 10:50 PM

kidzadancer,
I haven't forgotten to post; I'm still waiting to talk to my friend from U. Arts. If you don't mind my asking, and you can feel free to pm me, what are your specific questions regarding U. Arts? This info might be helpful so that when I do talk to her, which hopefully, will be soon, I'll be focus on getting the info that you're looking for. Also, another school that comes highly recommended is Bucknell, which is in PA- we know of two students from my D's ballet school who currently attend.