So here’s my situation: I have always wanted to take dance classes since I was maybe six years old, I begged my parents for years but for personal reasons, they just wouldn’t do it. Finally, when I was maybe 15 i just gave up, I am now 20 years old and in college trying to decide on a major. I have tried just about everything I might be interested in, I’ve changed my major more times than I can count and nothing seems to feel right. My universities dance program doesn’t require an audition and does offer beginning, intermediate and advance classes for pretty much any form of dance. So last semester I decided to take a beginning ballet class just because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Now, I have taken every career aptitude test on the internet and run through every resource I can to decide on a major that would make me happy, but nothing feels right. After taking this dance class, when I think about majoring in dance, it’s the only thing that actually makes me feel excited and passionate about what I am doing. However, I am just a beginner, I’m willing to put in the work IF it’s possible, but the goal seems so out of reach as most dance majors have had years of experience. I do not want to be a professional dancer or anything, I just want to be able to obtain a bachelor’s of dance and maybe even a master’s and be a dance instructor in the future. Is it possible for me to succeed as a dance major taking every dance class from beginning level all the way to advanced, with no prior dance experience, or is it simply too little too late for me?
You should talk to your dance professor or the department advisor at your school. It is unlikely you could have a professional dance career starting so late, but no one on this forum has seen you dance. Find out what other opportunities there might be for you besides joining a dance company.
I actually don’t want to join a dance company, I really would rather be just a dance instructor. With a Master’s degree and some more experience, maybe even a college dance instructor.
Are you looking to do ballet? That training begins when you are very young, and your musculature and body develops in conjunction with your training, so it is really difficult to get to a high level later on in life.
Dance is very physically demanding and takes years to develop. And in reality, you don’t need a college degree in dance to teach, you need experience (unless you are teaching at a college, of course).
Before deciding on a major, I would continue to take classes and see how you like it. Maybe ask your instructor what they think. It’s easy to romanticize dance, while the reality is often not what you expect (think bunions and blisters, not to mention cut-throat competition).
A lot depends on specifically what you want to do with your degree, and on your own natural talent.
Good luck. I hope you continue loving dance and pursue it in whatever way suits you best.
Since your college doesn’t require auditions to major, you may be able to study dance there. However, serious and prestigious dance programs require auditions. You need to discuss with the faculty there whether you can major in dance and what exactly a major in dance at that particular school would prepare you for. What are the goals of their program and what do their students do after they graduate?