What schools have the best programs in dance?

soozievt
Tue, 12 Jul 2011 08:08:35 +0000

I think it is best for you to examine the BFA in MT curriculum at each school you are exploring and put these side by side. Also, inquire about dance placement if you care about that and are an advanced dancer.

For example, when my D attended NYU/Tisch, the curriculum had ballet, jazz, and tap every semester and there were six dance classes (two of each style) per week in the required curriculum sequence. There was dance placement every semester and there were four levels for every grade level for each style of dance (four different ones for freshmen, four different levels for sophs, etc.). You could not take extra classes, though six per week (I think that was 12 hours) were certainly enough in the schedule (I suppose you could go to a dance studio on weekends in the city if you wished).

But I have seen curricula for some programs whereby there is only one style of dance per semester (two dance classes per week) such as ballet one semester, jazz one semester and so on. There are also dance programs where all freshmen are in the same level (ie., Ballet I or Jazz I).

So, rather than ask about “best,” it would be more informative to research the curriculum at all schools and then ask specific questions.

PS, regarding OCU…someone please correct me if I am wrong, but while OCU may have a great dance department, the MT degree program is a BM, not a BFA ,and I think there is less required dance in the BM in MT degree program at OCU than in many BFA programs.