<p>Hi, I am applying for a number of musical theatre programs this fall and syracuse is on my list to apply to. I am curious to how good their dance program is/what it is like because they don’t have a dance major which makes me worried about the quality of dance and levels to explore. Does anyone have any light on what their dance program is like??? THANK YOU!!</p>
<p>I am a Syracuse alum. The dance training has many levels, and is very rigorous. A school having a dance major is not necessarily an indication of quality dance training in the musical theatre program. Even at schools with a dance major, many musical theatre programs have separate dance classes for MT students… meaning that the departments are separate.</p>
<p>The dance aspect of the MT program is run by Anthony Salatino, a Julliard grad with a long list of professional creds. My daughter studied with him for 6 weeks during a summer and he is an excellent and demanding instructor. I wouldn’t worry in the least about the dance program at Syracuse.</p>
<p>Many of the classes are taught by David Wanstreet, a veteran of many Broadway productions. He was trained at the Joffrey, and also choreographs most of the musical productions at SU. The MT program at SU really focuses on excellent dance training.</p>
<p>Hi there! I am a current student in the BFA Musical Theatre program at Syracuse! You needn’t worry about the dance education lacking! While there is no major in dance, we have EXCELLENT teachers on the musical theatre faculty… all as professional as they come! Tony is the head of dance, and is an excellent dancer and teacher… he trained at the Juilliard School and choreographs many Syracuse Stage productions and University productions… he teaches Ballet 3 and 4, Tap 3 and 4, and Styles! David Wanstreet has multiple Broadway and other professional credits like Will Parker in Oklahoma, Bobby in A Chorus Line, Andy in 42nd Street, Bobby Childs in Crazy for You… he is also a well-known director and choreographer in the industry and has worked all over the country! He teaches Ballet 2 and 3, Tap 1 and 2, and Styles… Andre Leigh-Smith also has many Broadway credits to her name like Jerome Robbin’s Broadway and Smile… she teaches Jazz 1, 2, 3, and 4! We also have Karen Menter, an excellent dancer and instructor who teaches Ballet 1 and 2… Syracuse is known for being one of the toughest dance combinations to get through when auditioning for colleges! The program has a very high standard for both girls and boys in the dance audition! In my class, there are 10 guys and 10 girls… almost everyone dances very well… including a few really awesome acting majors! It is also really nice that we have diagnostics for dance… so you’re placed with other dancers at your level of training and skill! Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions!</p>