<p>It seems that many colleges are focused on ballet and modern. I agree those are important but my passion is toward Jazz/theater/lyrical. Anyone have any schools that are focused on any of those areas? (Preferably in the northeast)</p>
<p>I highly recommend that you look into the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management at Oklahoma City University (although it's not in the northeast). Modern is not emphasized at OCU, instead excellent instruction is offered in jazz, tap, theatre dance and ballet as used in musical theatre. This is from OCU's dance website:</p>
<p>"While higher education has easily embraced art forms firmly rooted in European traditions, it has often ignored those developed out of an uniquely American experience. When Oklahoma City University, under the leadership of Jo Rowan, established a dance program, the American dance art forms of tap, jazz, and musical theatre dance were not included in the curricula for dance degrees at other American universities. Even today, when tap and jazz are included in dance curricula elsewhere, they are usually included reluctantly and at low technique levels.......now there is a single place within a respected university where American dance art forms and arts management can be nurtured and developed to their highest level and properly recognized for their contributions to art and culture throughout the world."
For more information please read the "Oklahoma City University" thread in this forum and visit the website at Ann</a> Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management</p>
<p>I would also look into Point Park University in Pittsburg</p>
<p>Wow that looks like exactly what I want! I wish it wasn't so expensive =[</p>
<p>The problem is that i currently have a free ride to any NJ school so my parents don't want to spend money elsewhere when I can get a perfectly good education at any NJ state school. They may be willing to spend a LITTLE bit of money if it is out-of-state and something I really want, but not in excess of $30,000. None of the NJ state schools cater to what I want though (that i know of) so I am in a dilemma.</p>
<p>Have you looked at Montclair State? My daughter was in a show with a dancer who graduated from there and this young woman indicated that they had recently started a program was dance and theater dance focused....</p>
<p>Take a look at University of the Arts in Phila. Outstanding jazz dance program and dance majors can minor in musical theatre.</p>
<p>point park university in pennsylvania has a very highly regarded dance program, especially their jazz. (i believe you audition for and concentrate in jazz, ballet, or modern)</p>
<p>take a look at their website.</p>
<p>UCI Irvine isn’t in the Northeast, but i’s extremely strong in both dance and drama/MT. A double major is possible. Merit scholarships often go to talented non-residents and there is need-based aid. </p>
<p>Sheron Wray is the principal Jazz prof. Jazz style is more classical than West Coast and goes to advanced level. Dance major requires auditions in ballet, modern and jazz and is very competitive. All dance majors must complete advanced level modern or ballet. Drama major does not require an audition for admission, but students must audition after the first year as a drama major for acceptance into the Musical Theatre BFA program, which includes private voice lessons and a New York Satellite program. All MT majors take some ballet, jazz and tap classes in the Dance Dept. and the NY Satellite includes additional dance training (Broadway style jazz, tap, etc.).</p>
<p>Just FYI, “lyrical” does not really exist outside of the junior competition circuit. No schools teach lyrical as teen dance students (and their moms) understand it. “Contemporary” isn’t really taught as its own form, either, but it can be experienced through combination of ballet technique with modern sensibilities.</p>
<p>If Broadway or other musical theatre dance is what you aspire to, you really need to go to a university with a jazz program such as Point Park. But because of that very fact, admission into the jazz concentration a PPU is very, very competitive. Hint: take your ballet seriously and get good instruction, no matter what your goal as a dancer is. Students with excellent ballet technique not only stand out in ballet audition, but it shows through in their modern and (if applicable) jazz sections of the audition.</p>
<p>My daughter (also from NJ) auditioned at PPU and UArts specifically because of the jazz programs, and was accepted to both, but she’s decided to concentrate on modern. You never know.</p>
<p>tucker92 is giving good advice. Ballet technique classes are like training sessions for athletes or scales for musicians.</p>