<p>Here’s a recent thread on this topic:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-william-mary/639101-dance-team.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-william-mary/639101-dance-team.html</a></p>
<p>My d is a freshman dance minor, so I have some reliable second-hand information for you. The concentration is in modern - the ballet offerings are only up through the intermediate level (no pointe). My d had 4 years of experience in modern at her home dance studio, and thinks that the modern classes at W & M are excellent - much more demanding than anything she studied before. There are 4 levels of modern offered; classes meet 2 or 3 times per week, with evening rehearsals for members of Orchesis, the school’s modern dance company. The dance faculty is composed of three teachers who are also serious choreographers. </p>
<p>The dance minor also requires academic courses - for instance, this semester my d is studying the history of dance. This has finally given her an opportunity to learn about the various schools of modern, something her previous modern teachers did not address at all. So, she recently said, she can now tell you the differences between Doris Humphrey and Hanya Holm. Last year she could have told you who Martha Graham was, and maybe Isadora Duncan. </p>
<p>There’s an emphasis on choreography in the dance minor, and minors are required to create pieces for the annual spring performance. There’s also a fall performance for which the professors do all the choreography.</p>
<p>The dance team is called Tribal Dancers. Some very strong dancers with impressive ballet and other experience participate (per their website), but I haven’t seem them perform. As the thread above indicates, there are many dance opportunities at W & M. My d misses a challenging daily ballet class, but she always knew she’d be moving on from that eventually. She’s dancing 10-12 hours per week, and she wouldn’t have time for much more with her academic schedule. Hope this helps!</p>