Being a university dance alum myself, it is my desire to help new and future college students with their transition to studying dance in a university setting. I have already posted topics on this subject, however, if you are new to the blog you may not know about them so I thought I’d do a little re-post compiling the articles. Also, I’d like to provide you with resources for further investigation. Check out the links at the bottom of this article on Dance as a Career, Scholarships for Dancers, and more.

The College Guide

How to Decide on A College

Topics Included:

• What are your goals? (see also setting goals in dance)
  
• The audition process.
  
• Location, facilities, and campus life.
• If you are concerned about grades…
• Making the transition

Tips for College Part I

Topics Included:

• Technique Classes
  • Trust and Balance
• Rehearsals
  • Get Involved and Be Professional

Tips for College Part II

Topics Included:

• Improvisation/Modern Dance/Contemporary Concepts
  
  • Go For It!
  • The Task at Hand
• Filling in the Gaps
  

Tips for College Part III

Topics Included:

• Theory and Liberal Arts Classes
  • Study and Note-taking
  • Absences
  • Embrace Learning
    
• Take Care of Your Instrument

Dance as a Career

• Challenges in Professional Dance
• Jobs in Dance Companies
• Jobs in Media and Communications
• Jobs in Medicine and Health Care
• Dance Teaching Jobs
• Secrets to Extending Your Dance Career
• From Campus to Professional Life
  
• What Becomes of Undergraduate Dance Majors? (a study)
  

Scholarships and Financial Aid

• Scholarships for Dancers (USA)
• Dance and Drama Awards (UK)
• Jessica Karrat Dance Scholarship Fund (USA)
• Directory of Dance Scholarships (I believe all of these are USA)
• Dance Magazine Scholarship Guide 2008
  

Find a College That Meets Your Criteria

Dance Magazine College Guide 08-09
Dance Department Blogs
I just thought it was interesting that some university dance departments now have their own blogs, so I’m adding these links. Check them out!

• Ohio State University – OSU Dance
• Wayne State University – Maggie Allesee Department of Dance

If you would like to suggest additional resources for dance in higher education (particularly for areas outside the U.S., please post links or information in the comments.

If you have questions about dance in a university setting, feel free to contact me.

Recently, I was contacted by a dance parent whose child was considering majoring in dance at a university. This family was taking a very important step in selecting a college – visiting campuses! Any resource for prospective college students will stress visiting a university before you invest your time and money. Here is a good list of things to consider when choosing a school. Below, I’ve included some things you may want to think about as you consider a major in dance at a college or university.

The decision of where to attend college should be influenced by what you’d like to do for a career. Do you want to be a performer in a modern dance company? On broadway? Do you want to teach? If your goal is to perform with a professional company and make a living at it, the more rigorous the technique requirements at your school, the better. If your goal is theatrical in nature, a program with a strong theatre/musical theatre program will be an asset (combined programs will require a smattering of theatre/production classes that will benefit you on this career path). If you want to be a teacher or own your own studio, look for schools that offer more than one teaching course in the curriculum, or better still, look for one with a teaching/pedagogy track, and look into ways you can perhaps incorporate business classes into your coursework. If you’re unsure which school can get you where you are going, I would suggest trying to find out where alumni from the programs have ended up – get actual names if possible and see what they’re doing. It is a good indicator of where the program will lead you. If you’re unsure about what you really want to do, don’t stress. As you pursue your college education this may change anyway. Look for a school that you feel sure will provide you with a solid education and in which you feel comfortable but challenged. Should you decide that your goals have changed and warrant leaving your school, know that transferring is an option. I myself was a transfer student, and succeeded in graduating “on time” regardless.

The audition process can tell you a lot about what a particular school is looking for in prospective students and what you can expect from the program. Most dance departments require an audition of some sort. Sometimes the audition can be sent via video/dvd, however, most programs will want to see you in person. An audition may determine your entrance into the dance program or it may be a placement audition which helps faculty decide in which technique levels you will begin your study (provided, you meet requirements for general acceptance to the university). Either way, an audition will typically consist of an interview with faculty and participation in a dance class (usually both modern dance and ballet). Some schools will ask to see a performance of choreography either of your own making or set on you by another, but this is more rare. Dance departments who require an audition into their department are usually looking for skillful dancers who will benefit from polishing and perfecting their technique for a professional career in performance or choreography (often these schools offer a B.F.A degree versus a B.A but this is not a hard and fast rule). Those that require a placement audition or no audition at all expect to have varying levels of ability and experience within their classes and provide a less-specialized education for those seeking employment in a more diverse range of dance-related careers.

Other considerations should be the school’s location, facilities, and campus life, and how you feel you will fare within these. If you are a small-town kid, the transition to a large, inner-city school can be quite a culture shock, and visa versa. (This can be a positive or negative.) When visiting campuses, make sure that you are able to see the dance facilities (maybe even see some classes in progress or talk with faculty) and get a feel for the campus in general. Talk to other dance students if you can and trust your instincts. While auditioning for college programs, I experienced both ends of the spectrum. I suffered through an audition before faculty and students who received me with an aloof manner and seemed to eye me with cool distance before auditioning at a school in which I was immediately greeted by a dancer within the department and treated with warmth by faculty members. Can you guess which school I attended? Both are excellent schools but School A was not for me. Some thrive in a competitive environment, I needed to be where I felt welcome and supported in order to succeed.

If you are concerned about grades, as was the parent who contacted me, it is important to know that (assuming you’ve got another year or so to go) you have time to improve. Grades are usually not all a college looks at for entrance, however, poor grades often result in required remedial classes (taken over the summer) – not fun! Right now, you may think that academic work is not as important (or interesting) as the work you do in dance class. However, keep in mind that in the professional world, good dancers are intelligent people that could do anything they want but choose dance. Intelligent dancers are curious and want to learn and grow even in areas outside of dance. High school grades don’t always reflect the potential that lies within many students but it won’t hurt to, right now, begin to practice the kind of dedication, perseverance, and self-discipline that a major (and career) in dance will require of you, and work to bring up those grades!

Making the Transition

Dance in college is different from what most young dancers training in studios have experienced thus far. It requires the dancer to think about dance more academically, begin to see themselves as a dance artist, and explore the art of making/watching concert dance. Young dancers that come from competitive dance (which pursues dance from an athletic or sports-like perspective) sometimes have trouble adjusting to this, but those that make the adjustment can find a rich experience in this new focus on dance and it can reinforce a love of dance that will truly last into adulthood (even if the student doesn’t plan to perform professionally). My advice to young dancers entering a college dance department, is no matter where you decide to study, to keep an open mind and be willing to let go of some of what you have previously been taught and allow in some new ideas about what dance is. If you do this, you may fall in love with dance all over again in college.

This is the third installment in my Tips for College series. Please see Part I and Part II for more of my thoughts and advice on the college experience. This post will focus on academic classes both within and outside of a dance major, as well as general advice about life on campus.

Theory and Liberal Arts Classes

In addition to classes in which you further your education as a performer of dance (technique classes), as a dance major or minor, you will be required to expand your academic understanding of dance. This is done through theory classes like Dance History, Anatomy or Kinesiology, Music Theory for Dancers, Composition or Choreography, Teaching or Dance Pedagogy, etc. Some of these classes will provide hands-on learning similar to that of your technique classes and some may follow more traditional methods of study (i.e. attending lectures and studying texts). This area is where many promising students struggle, particularly if academics was not their strong suit in high school. I have found that dance faculty often have a more engaging approach than many professors within other realms or specialties, offering more opportunities to explore and discuss topics rather than just talking about them. However, in some subjects, a certain amount of memorization, reading, and writing is inevitable.

Classes outside of your major in a traditional liberal arts setting provide an opportunity for expanding your interests and knowledge as well. Some courses will be required because someone has decided that no college student should enter life without a basic understanding of say, algebraic equations or a second language. In other areas you may have quite a bit of choice as to what type of course you’d like to take to fulfill a particular requirement, so choose classes that truly interest you whenever possible. At some point in your college career, you may be one of the many nameless faces trying to stay awake in a lecture class auditorium or, if you are fortunate, you may be part of a lively discussion in a class of five. No matter what course you are taking and regardless of whether the class is in your major or not, here are some tips to keep in mind.

Tip #7: Develop a study and note-taking method that works for you. In a college setting there can be many additional distractions that you did not have at home so, even if you had a system in high school, you may find it needs some refinement. It is important to know yourself and be willing to experiment if what you’re doing isn’t working. If you know you need quiet in order to process information, for example, the library may be a better location for study than your dorm room. If discussion helps solidify concepts for you, join or create a study group. If highlighters, flashcards, or speaking out loud to yourself works – do what you need to, not what your friend does. Because in the end, while college is and should be a social experience, the “all play and no work” trap that many students fall into is a waste of money and a wasted opportunity to better oneself.

Tip #8: Be present in your classes. Join in when there is discussion, turn off your cell phone, sit up, and listen. You’ll be amazed at how much more you will absorb, lessening the amount of time you need to study or cram. There will be lots of other students sleeping, arriving late, skipping classes, complaining about the teacher’s thick accent while spending most of the class chatting with a friend in the back of the room, and in general making excuses for their poor performance. If you need help, ask for it from teachers or other students before you get really behind. If you hold yourself accountable for your education, you will have no need for excuses.

Tip #9: Embrace learning. You are fortunate to have the means and opportunity to be surrounded by knowledge, to have those who are specialists in their field around every corner, to be provided with resources and experiences that will serve you for years to come. This is a chance that comes pretty much just once during a typical lifetime. Don’t squander an opportunity of which so many around the world can only dream.

Tip #10: Take care of your instrument. It’s easy to stay up late for a variety of reasons and your body will adjust to less and less amounts of sleep. However, you will not be at your best without a decent amount of recuperation, particularly in very physical endeavors such as dance. Be kind to yourself and sleep. If you can sneak in naps, do it – just try not to oversleep and miss your next class! In addition, eat well and nutritiously. And, although it’s not my place to tell you to stay away from drugs, alcohol, or smoking, I do want to encourage you to be careful not to find yourself regularly abusing these substances. It will take a toll on your physical and mental performance so make wise choices in how you spend your “recreational” time at college so that you can be at your best.

I hope these tips have been helpful and will make your life as a dancer in a college setting a little easier.

Trying to decide on a college or determine if pursuing dance at a university is right for you? Check out this article.

Tips for College Part I dealt with what to expect in technique classes and performance rehearsals, as well as some tips for success in these areas. In continuation of the series, I will highlight two aspects of dance in higher education with which many incoming students have little experience.

Improvisation

Improvisation may be an entirely new concept for some of you (if we’re not counting the off-the-cuff choreography you’ve performed in front of your bedroom mirror). I count myself very lucky to have had early experience in creative dance and improvisation at my hometown studio. At the time, I did not realize it was a rarity. However, it was not long into my first year as a dance major that a professor introduced the concept of improvisational movement and began leading the class in some beginning exercises. I could feel tension among the students. Some were nervous to appear so vulnerable in front of their peers and instructor and others had no idea how to start or what to do. A few that had before been asked to move as they’d like in a dance studio class had perhaps had no guidance and had always used the moments to re-hash their favorite moves or try something they’d seen the older kids do. It seemed likely that this was not what the professor was looking for. Fear suddenly paralyzed some of the most talented dancers in the class. If you are an experienced improviser, your background will serve you well in the college environment. If you are in the other group, don’t panic! Improvisation, just like technique, takes practice to move comfortably and confidently. And you will get plenty of practice now that you are entering this new phase in your study of dance. So…

• Tip #5: Don’t be afraid to just take a deep breath and go for it. You may feel like a fool, but the only people that looked foolish that day in my class were those that were too afraid or insecure to make the most of the opportunity. They giggled, marked their movement, or froze altogether rather than bravely being willing to appear awkward or even unsophisticated.

Modern Dance, Contemporary Concepts

Modern dance may be new to many of you as well. It is a very important part of many dance programs because it was within academic establishments that Modern techniques were developed and the art form found its foothold in America. Despite its prominence at universities, few dance studios offer Modern Dance techniques in their curriculum. Some of you may compete in (or witness) Modern at competitions. However, often only some of those that compete in this category are studying modern dance techniques and usually even less are utilizing the choreographic processes typical of Modern Dance. If you are one of the few, kudos to your dance school.

The art form of Modern Dance (and Contemporary dance forms in general) is more than just performing the techniques and steps with which it is associated. That is the “how” but Modern Dance also asks “why.” Without the process or investigation of this question, a dancer or choreographer is offering their interpretation of Modern Dance. In other words, a dance may look expressive or emotive, contain un-balletic poses or rolling on the floor, and be accompanied by unconventional music choices, but can lack the artistic intent of contemporary dance forms that you will be asked to explore in college and beyond. I believe I’m safe to assume that many of you will find what is expected of you in your study of Modern Dance (and perhaps other dance forms as well) in a university setting to be very different from your studio at home. There will be more emphasis on dancing with an understanding of how the body functions and how something feels (as opposed to how it looks), on working apart from or even against the music as you dance, on presenting abstract meaning or intent through movement, and on discovering ways of moving that are new or even unflattering. With all of that in mind…

• Tip #6: Embrace the task at hand. Focus simply on the task your teacher, who is guiding you in your exploration, has charged. When you are uncertain or just learning, solving one problem at a time will keep you from getting wrapped up in trying to make something spectacular instead of discovering something spectacular. A direction as simple as “dance with one elbow attached to the ground” or “let your breath guide each movement” may seem silly at first and you may be tempted to think that you don’t need this exercise to be a good dancer. But, don’t think, just try it, because these silly little exercises will help you grow from someone who makes dance into someone who can express themselves through dance.

Filling in the Gaps

There may be a point during your college career that someone may imply that there have been gaps in your dance education and you are faced with breaking old habits or learning something in a different way. If or when this occurs, I encourage you to resist becoming indignant. Refer back to Part I and learn to trust your new instructors, letting go of any assumptions that you “already know how to do” whatever they are asking you to do. As a college instructor, it was often frustrating for me to see talented students holding on so tightly to what their teachers “back home” had told them that their progress in my class stalled. In fact, the students who improved most rapidly in my beginning level classes were those who had little to no dance experience because they held no preconceived notions and could absorb all that I offered them. I encountered students with 14 years or so of studio experience which had yielded many bad habits from repetition of poor technique. Unfortunately in some cases, these “experienced” students seemed unsatisfied with re-examining the basics after having been considered “advanced” dancers at home. It would have benefited these students to remember that even professionals consistently work to better understand and perform the basics of their technique.

I hope that my wording in this post has not made anyone feel that their instruction up to this point has not been worthwhile. While it is wonderful when dance schools for young students take steps to provide an understanding of the more creative or artistic side of dance (and as you may know, I highly encourage this), I realize that teaching students to execute dance is the primary function of a studio. You should not feel shortchanged if your school has provided you with a solid technical foundation and performance experience. You have plenty of time to dig deeper in your understanding of movement and to mature as an artist.

Read on to Part III…

If you are planning on majoring, minoring, or even just participating in a university dance department in the next year, you are probably nervous and excited about beginning your adventure in higher learning. Having been involved in two different liberal arts programs, coming out the other side with a dance degree in hand, and going on to teach in yet another dance department, I thought it may be a good idea to share my experiences, advice, and thoughts to help you prepare for what is ahead. I will divide the information into categories for easier reading. Feel free to post questions if you have any or, comments if you have something to add. You can also e-mail me if you’d like to ask something but prefer not to post.

Technique Classes

If you are a dance major it is probably because you like to dance! This is your chance to do so. Typically all dancers in a university program are at minimum required to take a ballet and modern technique class each semester. Chances are, even if you did not have to audition to be accepted into the dance program at your school, you will probably have to take a placement class in which one or more of the faculty decide the class level for which you are best suited. Don’t be discouraged if after training since the age of 3, you are still entered into the level one classes – this is quite normal. Even students who transfer from one program  to another are sometimes placed at these entry levels in their new school. This brings me to…

• Tip #1: Trust the faculty’s judgment. They want you to succeed. Their years of training, education, and experience should not be discounted. Unless you truly feel they are putting you at risk mentally or physically (in which case, seek higher authority), give their ideas and opinions a chance.

Technique classes are generally worth only one or two credits so that a regular full-time student can take more than one and still maintain a typical full-time credit load (12-15 credits). While there are occasional written assignments or requirements for attending a concert, etc., a high percentage of your grade in a dance class is usually determined by your attendance record. This means you have to show up and be prepared to do the work to get a decent grade in the class. Seems easy enough, right? Well, for students who are perhaps relishing their first taste of freedom from parental supervision, getting to class is sometimes a surprisingly low priority (never mind the condition in which they arrive). Late nights studying, hanging out, partying, internet surfing, etc. with no one to tell you to get to bed, coupled with a 9am ballet class… you get the picture.

• Tip #2: Find a balance. The point is that there are LOTS of things in college life that distract students from their primary purpose (succeeding at getting an education). You don’t have to abstain from all of the lovely little distractions. However, accept the responsibility that comes with your new-found freedom and be mature enough to recognize when your schoolwork is suffering (without blaming it on your teachers) and then make lifestyle changes or take steps to correct the problem. In fact, apply this to situations in general… from now on.

Rehearsals

Unlike many of your fellow college students, you will probably find yourself heavily involved in dance activities that don’t necessarily earn you credits but, are nonetheless, worth it or even required. Many of these activities will result in performances both formal or informal which, like taking class, has a lot to do with why you bought your ticket for this ride in the first place. Particularly as an underclassmen, you may find yourself auditioning in front of and for upperclassmen who are looking for guinea pigs for their own choreography. At my alma mater for example, there was an entire process dedicated to the auditioning, presenting, adjudicating, and performing of undergraduate works. Once dancers were cast, the student choreographers scheduled rehearsal time (for whenever and wherever space was available – racquetball courts, anyone?) and later presented their work in progress to faculty several times. By the final showing, dances were chosen for a final year-end performance and those that didn’t make the cut were offered a slot in less formal performances. I’m sure every university has a slightly different process and a variety of opportunities – faculty concerts, composition (choreography) class projects, off-campus or community outreach efforts. You may not always be cast as a performer. However, there may be other ways you can take part. Although disappointing at first, not being cast in my first major college production resulted in one of the most beneficial learning experiences of my student career when I instead stage-managed the performance. Taking a backstage role is a great way to learn about the craft of production and will be of value to you in the future when you create your own choreography, manage a dance company, or run a dance studio.

• Tip #3: Get Involved. It may cut into your social life but these experiences are worth participating in any way that you can. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket by skipping the “smaller” stuff and waiting to audition for the “big” show. You may find yourself disappointed and not participating in anything. Likewise, don’t limit what you take part in because of self-doubt, insecurities, or even department politics. You may be surprised at what other opportunities your participation yields.
• Tip #4: In all things, be professional. You are preparing for a professional life ahead (even if it is not a professional life in dance) and, although you may think “it’s just college” or “the choreographer’s a student too” or “this is a stupid assignment, anyway,” remember that reputations have a tendency to follow one around. If you are consistently late, stressed, show up ill-prepared or unable to dance, display attitude, or give less than 100% effort, word will get out among the other students and faculty. And while, the reputation may not always make it beyond your collegiate walls, your lack of experience (because people avoided casting you) will speak for itself on a resume.

Check out these great Five Tips for College Freshmen.

Then, read on to Part II…

Behind Our Goals Are Our Dreams - Photo by Alison Bell

Are you new to dance? Looking to take your dancing to the next level?

It’s important to find the studio, school, or teacher that’s right for you. As the photo title (right) suggests, behind our goals are our dreams. A dream is an idea and a goal is a destination. What comes between these two are actions, steps taken to reach each goal. In dance, training is a crucial step in the journey from dream to destination. However, one has to be clear about his destination in order to know which steps to take. In other words, your goals will determine which type of training is best for you.

Step 1: Research

In order to figure out your goals it is necessary to look at the all the possibilities. Typically when people think of a career in dance, they are only thinking of a career in performance. And, while many with dance careers do start out there, there are still many other options to consider. I looked hard for a good list – this was one of the more all-encompassing and specific. Because the source is a university, you’ll notice it leaves out large-budget ballet companies (we’ll talk about that later).

Goals Can Change

Now that we recognize that there are possibilities beyond performance, it may be important to point out that there are many paths to any given destination, and that sometimes life takes us down unexpected ones. Goals can change over time either because we change or something forces us to change our direction. No matter where we end up, many dancers begin their journey the same – with lessons in movement at a dance school.

Step 2: Choosing a Training Path

For dancers that begin at a young age, there are generally two types of training offered at most studios/schools in the U.S.,* recreational and pre-professional. A majority of dance studios are recreational in nature. Here, the students can choose from a variety of classes and styles of dance, often with limited focus or time on any one in particular. Pre-professional schools typically have a very strong focus on ballet training and may require 20 or more hours per week of classes (at least half of which are ballet). Some schools manage two tracks at the same time. In this case dancers may begin as young children at the same level but eventually diverge based on interest and aptitude. If you are over the age of 12 or 13, and taking less than 3 hours of ballet per week, you are probably not at a pre-professional school. If that’s disappointing to you, I’ve got good news. Being a student at a recreational school does not mean you cannot eventually perform as a professional dancer. It certainly helps, and if you’d like to be at one of those large -budget ballet companies I mentioned earlier it’s a necessity.

Professional vs. College

In large cities it is sometimes easier than in smaller towns to locate pre-professional instruction. If what you desire most is to dance for a professional ballet company, you may need to make major sacrifices (financial, social, locational convenience) to obtain the needed training and skills. Smaller, regional ballet companies; contemporary or modern dance companies; musical theatre; and commercial dance are typically more open to dancers of varied training backgrounds. Make no mistake, though, one still needs to be very strong in technique and performance to make a living in such a competitive field.

College study is an option for a wide range of dance-related careers if you have a passion for dance. Although outsiders may consider dance a “fluff” major, those that have been through it (myself included) know better. Dance majors at a university not only take hours of technique classes in the studio, but study history, anatomy/kinesiology, teaching/pedagogy, composition, and more on top of spending weeknights and weekends working on choreography, assignments, or rehearsing. I’ve seen many young dancers change their mind about majoring in dance after one year or less in a university program. Most college programs have a strong focus on contemporary or modern dance, although ballet and other forms are still an important part of the curriculum. For many dance jobs, advanced degrees (translation: more years in school) are required (and not a bad idea if you’d like more financial security), and occasionally a dual major is necessary. At any rate, college is a great place to improve, grow, and be exposed to a wide range of dance experiences through intense focus, dedication, and academic study. Many dancers who became professional performers at a young age return to receive a college degree later in order to begin the second phase of their careers.

Recreational Dance and Quality Instruction

Now, I know there is a group of you thinking “I don’t want to be a professional, I just want to have fun dancing!” Many adult beginners fall into this category, too. That’s great! We need more dance enthusiasts out there (it is you that attend shows and support programs)! A recreational studio may be just the place for you. However, don’t forget that it’s still important that you make good choices in finding a studio or teacher. Why? Because not all dance schools offer quality instruction or facilities, which can lead to injury for a dancing novice. Dancing on an improper floor, working on advanced movements without the strength or coordination to back it up, or spending years either overtraining or neglecting certain muscles can lead to chronic (that means long-term) pain or problems in areas like the back, knees, ankles and more. It’s not worth the cute costumes, 12-hour recitals, plastic trophies, or whatever else may entice you. Seek out quality instruction.

I hope that this post has helped you to clarify your aspirations. Setting your goals early is an important step in seeing your dreams realized. For more information on specific dance careers, see the links in this post.

What are your goals in dance? How have they changed as you’ve journeyed on your path? If you are working in dance or otherwise, how does your dance education play a part in your life now?

*I’m writing what I know, there are other sites available that speak to dance education in other countries, here’s one for the UK that has some great info.