Bennington and Goucher

<p>Would love comments about either of these college's dance program. Daughter danced professionally (ballet/modern) for a year and now wants to go to college (not conservatory: feels that if she wants to focus on dance, she will just do it).</p>

<p>We know that Bennington is less focused on technique, has little ballet, and does emphasize creative work. And that Goucher is more focused on technique, offers both modern and ballet to all (as well as choreography, dance therapy, teaching etc.), and has begun to require auditions for performance majors.</p>

<p>Apart from that basic information, would appreciate personal experiences or anecdotes from either. </p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

<p>My daughter had Bennington on her list at one time, but took it off because it sounded a little too flaky from many of the review sites and like there was quite a bit of strife between the students and the administration. Though what really made it an absolute no-go was the fact that a dance student died while practicing, due to what seemed to be a blind eye to safety on the part of the college (she fell through the glass of an old window that was not up to code). Not to scare you or anything, as it’s likely they’ve fixed any remaining problems by now, but I’d rather have all the info on the table!</p>

<p>Daughter has applied to Goucher and went through the audition process a few weeks ago. It was definitely the most intense of her three auditions. Much less intense than conservatories, I’m sure, and I would guess no big deal for someone who has been dancing professionally. My daughter loves modern and international dance and only takes ballet because it is so foundational. She found the Goucher program more ballet focused than she expected. She felt that she couldn’t keep up with the ballet class even though she’d done a private session with her dance teacher to go over the moves listed on their website. The modern class was better, but she felt that it was really more “creative ballet” than modern. We have not heard back yet whether she passed the audition, but she’s no longer interested in the performance track anyway, thinking she’ll go with dance science or dance therapy to avoid having to take a ton of ballet.</p>

<p>A couple of other mothers I talked to (whose daughters were more “serious dancers” than mine) said they’d heard that Goucher was moving toward a more conservatory style program.</p>

<p>The dance students (mostly dance majors – several of them double majoring in something else as well – and one dance minor) seemed very well rounded and gave a good impression of the program. The study abroad dance programs sounded great. My daughter was thrilled that one of the teachers offers an early morning aerial dance class (not for credit, but daughter doesn’t care).</p>

<p>Lastly, a friend has a daughter who graduated from Goucher last year as a math major/dance minor and she loved the dance program. Her focus was on ballet.</p>

<p>I have a daughter at Bennington who is concentrating in dance, so I’ll be able to give you some information about their program. (By the way, the sad accident that snoozn mentions above happened many years ago and is unlikely to be repeated. I think if you research other colleges, unfortunately, you’ll find other examples of tragedies.)</p>

<p>Bennington will not be the place for your daughter if she wants to focus on ballet. My daughter had rid herself of her ballet tendencies, to throw herself off balance so to speak, in order to advance with her dance. Dance there is very experimental, very creative. Some of it is hard to appreciate by those only exposed to ballet, or even some of the more mainstream modern styles. It’s not for everyone, but, that said, I can imagine the next big choreographer coming out of Bennington. It might be my daughter!</p>

<p>Snoozn, I was aware of the tragedy at Bennington, with the dancer falling through the glass, which was, I think, in the 1990’s. I would not consider that relevant to my daughter’s decision, honestly. Your impressions of Goucher were interesting, and appreciated. Thank you!</p>

<p>Dance class, it sounds like your daughter is a brave and creative person, and that leaving ballet behind to get herself “off balance” has worked well.</p>

<p>Our daughter is not the typical ballet student at all, and since a young age has been fortunate to be exposed to or involved in all kinds of things that might be called “edgy.” She did, however, develop a lot of respect for ballet in recent years, which she had at first begun (at age 11 I think) for the '“foundational” reasons you mention. Bennington has added one 7 week ballet class, we hear, but it is true that the kind of attention to technique that Goucher is attempting, is not available at Bennington.</p>

<p>But there are so many other reasons to choose Bennington. I think my daughter is starting to feel that if she wants to continue a serious dance technical training, she will go to San Francisco and study with someone there, in a free standing conservatory. So she is leaning toward Bennington to explore other paths, including dance paths (she likes composition/choreography) but also academics, art, drama etc.</p>

<p>We’ll see, after a visit to MD. Thanks to both of you!</p>

<p>My d looked closely at both Bennington and Goucher (among other sim. liberals arts colleges). compmom, like your daughter, mine studied ballet for many years and even deferred enrollment at her chosen school (Bard) to contin. in a trainee company program. But also, perhaps like your daughter, mine decided to go to college as a non-dance major starting this year, but still dance on the side.</p>

<p>Certainly Goucher offers more technique classes than Bennington, with equal emphasis in both in ballet (w/ pointe) and modern, with several levels of classes in each discipline. As stated in previous postings here, Bennington is less traditional in their approach to dance than Goucher. (Interesting fact is Martha Graham once taught at Bennington.)</p>

<p>Bennington is smaller than Goucher (~600 total students vs ~2000 at Goucher), and is in a more rural location than Goucher. (More rural than Bard, I would say.)</p>

<p>It was my impression that Bennington leans more toward the arts, theater, literature/writing, film, whereas Goucher seemed to offer equal strengths in the hard sciences as well as literature and the arts. Goucher also features a more “strict” distribution requirements than Bennington (i.e., req’ed classes outside of one’s major) - not that that’s bad.</p>

<p>Bennington, I remember offers a unique winter break intern/work experience program in which all students basically intern or work somewhere for about 6 weeks between fall & spring semesters each year. Goucher offers a unique study abroad program that’s required of <em>all</em> students (which can be as short as a summer stint to a full-year study abroad experience.</p>

<p>Both are excellent schools, both excellent choices. It’s just a matter of what your daughter is interested in studying, how much she wants to dance (and if taking traditional ballet technique classes is important), and whether she wants a rural location like Bennington (and it’s smaller student population) or a more suburb/close-to-city location like Goucher.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Two other names that have come up as far as ballet, besides Goucher and Bard, are Muhlenberg and Butler. Any opinions from the ballet people?</p>

<p>Bennington’s Field Work Term has been very valuable to my daughter. She interned two of the years with a highly influencial arts program in NYC and I have my fingers crossed that they’ll hire her when she graduates. </p>

<p>I did a lot of research on dance schools for my second daughter (She’ll be attending Bard like Irvinemom’s daughter; Didn’t want to follow in her sister’s footsteps any more.) Muhlenberg was definitely on our list. I’d also suggest you look at Elon in NC. The beauty of Elon is that you have the option of entering the conservatory as a BFA candidate, or enroll as a “regular” student and major in dance with a BA.</p>

<p>Sorry, don’t know why I was so negative on Bennington – an unconscious need to justify taking it off the list? Failure to engage brain before posting? </p>

<p>Anyway, good luck to compmom’s daughter with whatever college she chooses!</p>

<p>Snoozn, good luck to your daughter too!</p>

<p>Butler is very well known for its Ballet program. I would not say the same for Muhlenberg. I would say they are known for MT and tap. Definately not ballet. Good luck with your choices.</p>

<p>Yeah, Muhlenberg’s program is not known for its ballet. It’s a very modern-based program by choice of the students, since it’s the kind of school where one “paves their own way”. You should check out schools like Skidmore or Butler. (I personally really regret not applying to those two. :/)</p>

<p>This is a great thread - you moms have so much experience! My D is looking for Econ and Ballet, which is a tough combo. I would like to see merit aid as well. </p>

<p>Have any of you considered Hobart and William Smith for ballet? My D says America Univ will have off campus dance options, does this sound feasible?</p>

<p>My daughter and I did a lot of research when looking for a college. We looked mostly at LACs in the northeast (though we also liked Elon in NC). My daughter’s SATs were only average, so we didn’t consider Swarthmore, Vassar, and others which offer dance but require scores in the 700 range. Our short list came down to Bard, Bennington, Elon, Franklin and Marshall, Goucher, Hobart & William Smith, Hampshire, Muhlenberg, Skidmore, Wells, and Wheaton. We only got around to visiting Bard, Bennington, Hampshire, and Skidmore before she got accepted to Bard, so I don’t know much about the others. For an excellent list of colleges that offer dance go on [Cyber</a> Dance - Ballet and Modern Dance on the Net - College and University Dance Programs](<a href=“http://www.cyberdance.org/colleges.html]Cyber”>http://www.cyberdance.org/colleges.html).</p>