<p>Does anyone know what colleges have good reputations for dance programs?</p>
<pre><code>I'm looking for an emphasis on modern dance performance, but would also like a program that has choreography/ improv
I'm kind of an artsy person, so I wouldn't mind a school that was focused in the arts!
</code></pre>
<p>Also, what are the benefits/drawbacks of being in a conservatory program versus a regular college BFA or BA program?</p>
<p>Any advice would be helpful :)</p>
<p>As a modern dancer, you have many more opportunities available to you, as most college dance programs focus on modern. A good resource online is Dance Magazine, which has a college dance search feature. They also have a printed guide available.</p>
<p>Some of the best colleges (& very hard to get into) for modern are:<br>
Juilliard
NYU - Tisch
Fordham/Ailey
SUNY - Purchase</p>
<p>Most state universities and LAC's also have modern programs. The benefits of attending a BFA conservatory program is that you are going to get more instructional time in your dance field. A BA program is better if you want to double major.</p>
<p>If you do a search on this forum, you will find a lot of information. There was a long thread within the past week about this same subject, only ballet based, but you may be able to get some applicable information from that thread also.</p>
<p>thanks for replying so quickly!</p>
<p>The thing is, I'm conflicted about whether a conservatory program would be better for me. </p>
<p>At Temple, they seem to believe that a conservatory would "ruin your body" because in those programs (supposedly), they spend less time on body
awareness and just focus on "getting your leg up", etc.</p>
<p>On the other hand, from a conservatory dancer's point of view, Temple looks like a "bunch of arty kids who can't dance". I'm afraid I won't get the training I need at this point in my life, but I wouldn't want to sacrifice form and connectedness with my dancing.</p>
<p>Also, do you know anything about the Boston Conservatory and how their program is doing? I heard it tends to have "off years"...</p>
<p>The North Carolina School of the Arts! First and best state-sponsored conservatory (meaning it's cheaper than the others you listed), has five art schools (dance, music, drama, film, design & production) allowing for a great well-rounded arts scene on campus, and the community is amazingly tight-knit, eccentric, and welcoming. Of course, I'm biased as I'm graduating from there in June :-).
PM me if you want the contact info for a current modern dancer at NCSA.</p>
<p>Forgot one thing; the decision between conservatory and dance dept. in a university should be based upon how much academic rigor and breadth you want in your education based on your interests and career goals.</p>