Can anyone share their experience with dance at Vassar? Our D21 is a ballerina but most likely will not want to major or minor in dance in college. I do think she will want to continue extra-curricularly. From what I understand from Vassar’s website, dance is an option for non-majors and she would be able to take class and audition for performances as well. The website says that dance classes are “electives” and I’m not sure what that means. Are they part of the class load each semester? Or can she take a regular academic class load and then take dance class on top of that?
Ideally, she would be able to go to school like a non-dance major and go to dance class on the side and perform. She’s currently dancing six days a week - six days of ballet (including three on pointe), one day of contemporary, and one modern. Her pre-professional company stages The Nutcracker and a spring show to paying audiences in a major metropolitan area each year. Guest artists like Gillian Murphy dance with our company in these shows so she’s used to a high level of dance.
Our family was involved in music at Vassar so we attended lots of concerts. Our only experience with dance at Vassar was during a parent’s Weekend several years ago where we attended several performances. We were very impressed and enjoyed it immensely. We over heard several instructors and professors in attendance talking and everything said was positive and encouraging about the students involved. Try to visit and attend a rehearsal, dance class or a performance. You will know immediately if Vassar is right for you for dance.
@homerdog D is quite interested in dance, though not as a major or even as classes per se. She inquired about the ability to join the dance groups on campus. She was told that while there are many options that most are quite competitive to audition for and that someone not taking dance classes would probably not gain admittance, as even some who are taking dance classes do not gain admittance. We heard the same thing at Colgate.
Vassar doesn’t offer a dance major or minor but offers many different classes of various levels that anyone can register for. The department has a company (Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre) that students can audition for and offers really strong opportunities and experience for advanced dancers. There are also many student dance groups – some are audition only but others take dancers of all levels. There are opportunities for all dancers based on the commitment and intensity your daughter would want.