Hello!
I recently was able to visit Barnard and absolutely loved the school!!! I was just wondering if anyone could give me more insight on the dance program?
Could you be more specific about your questions? I’d suggest that you review the web site at http://dance.barnard.edu/ and then come back to ask the questions that aren’t answered there.
Do you know how many of the dancer majors go on to dance professionally? Or how challenging the advanced level classes are?
I think you’d have to ask the dance department about numbers of students who dance professionally, and the level of challenge would probably depend on your own background. My daughter attended an arts high school as a dance major but only took a few dance classes at Barnard. Her friends from ballet and high school who went on to dance professionally either apprenticed directly into companies after high school or attended conservatory style dance programs. She had a couple of friends from high school who attended SUNY Purchase who now dance with major companies.
Was she a dance major?
No, my daughter did not major in dance in Barnard – I assumed that my statement that she “only took a few dance classes at Barnard” made that obvious.
What kind of dance background do you have?
Sorry, I wasn’t sure what you meant.
I am currently at an arts boarding school, conservatory style training. I understand that at Barnard you choose how many dance classes you take, so I could have a full load. I’m just looking to still be challenged in my dance classes, for the potential to maybe dance professionally after college.
[QUOTE=""]
I understand that at Barnard you choose how many dance classes you take, so I could have a full load
[/QUOTE]
I think that the dance technique classes my d. took at Barnard met only once or twice a week (depending on class). Not sure what you mean by “full load” but there are practical limits on scheduling. That is, you have to sign up for classes at or close to your level when they are given - and obviously fit that around your academic schedule. You might want to look at current schedule to get a sense of when that would be – here’s a link to the current fall schedule: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/bulletin/uwb/subj/DNCE/_Fall2015.html
My impression was that the level IV classes were the minimal level for my DD to find challenge – and there are some nuances and limitations about getting credit for repeated classes or for classes at a lower level than a previous class.
I think the bottom line is that Barnard’s dance program is as strong as it gets at an LAC --you aren’t going to find better – but an LAC is in no way comparable to a conservatory environment, and LAC dance classes may not be a the same level that someone coming from a pre-professional studio might be used to. In other words, probably it won’t match what you are getting now in conservatory-style environment.
If you aren’t sure I would suggest that you apply RD to Barnard and some other school, and also apply to some conservatory/ BFA programs – and then decide in the spring where you are headed. If you want to keep dance in your life but focus more on academics – then Barnard is an excellent choice, and your dance background is also a plus factor in admissions. You’ll find plenty of dance classes at Barnard that are challenging enough – but I don’t think you are going to be able to fill your schedule with them.
If you are intent on dancing professionally – then I think a conservatory is a better option for modern dance. I assume that that there are some Barnard dance majors who go on to dance professionally, but they are going to be at a disadvantage compared to peers coming out of Julliard or programs like the Ailey/Fordham school.