<p>Hello All!</p>
<p>So I just received my acceptance letter and am very excited. However, when looking at the curriculum, it seemed to be a bit light on dance. Does anyone know about the dance training at Fredonia? Would it be possible to audit additional dance classes to improve the training?</p>
<p>Congratulations! Fredonia actually recently added a Dance BFA major in the last few years; may I ask what curriculum you are looking at? It’s possible it may be out of date. I’d like to think we have a strong dance program (but I am no dancer to judge) and I’ve taken quite a few dance classes during my studies that weren’t required for me to take.</p>
<p>Thank you! I’m looking into the Musical Theatre BFA Theatre track. Are you a student at the university? What’s your major?</p>
<p>I am Theatre Arts BA major but I’m sure I can answer questions. 
I’m looking at the class requirements for the MT BFA major sent out last semester…</p>
<p>-a Voice and Movement class (taken sophomore year, not strictly dance related though)
-Modern Dance level I and II
-Ballet Dance level I
-Jazz Dance level I
-Tap I
-Choreography I
-two electives</p>
<p>It does seem kind of lacking, considering all the MT BFAs I know taking all sorts of classes! Of course, that’s just what’s required, nothing to stop you from taking them all and everything else or even picking up a Dance minor. We offer 3 levels of Ballet, Modern and Jazz, 2 levels of Tap (and I think Choreography?), Dance Improv, Pilates, Ballroom Dance and we have a dance concert every year. </p>
<p>If you have any other questions, feel free to pm me and you can find me on facebook too! Always glad to help out a Fredonian :)</p>
<p>You can easily do the dance minor with the Bfa MT major</p>
<p>Very true, I know at least one student who is doing just that!</p>
<p>I am currently a Musical Theatre major, and the amount of dance you choose to do varies per person. Many students only choose to do the minimum dance requirements: Modern I and II, Ballet I, Jazz I, Choreography I, Tap I, and electives.</p>
<p>That being said, additional dance classes are easy to take, since BFA Musical Theatre majors are considered “majors” and can get into the classes as long as they have teacher permission. Granted, preference for class slots is given to those who need the class for a requirement. The teachers are usually very accommodating and have waitlists for classes in high demand. A Musical Theatre or Dance major should never have a problem getting into a class, unless they haven’t fulfilled the necessary pre-reqs or aren’t quite ready for that level.</p>
<p>Normally, a student will take the level I class two or three times in order to advance. It is possible to test out of Tap I if you meet with the teacher the prior semester.</p>
<p>As mentioned above, there are three levels of Ballet, Modern, and Jazz. There are two levels of Tap and Choreography. Also taught are Dance Improvisation, Introduction to Dance, Pilates, etc. The level III classes are only taught one per semester, on a rotating basis. When a level III class is taught, it is in place of the level II class.</p>
<p>The jump between level 1 classes and level 2 classes is a big one, and the difficulty of the classes is often dependent on the skill level of the dancers in the class. For instance, a Modern 2 class with mainly upperclassmen BFA Dance majors will be a much higher difficulty than a Modern 2 class with mainly Musical Theatre majors fulfilling their requirements.</p>
<p>Auditing classis is NOT allowed due to liability reasons. However, you are permitted to take a level 1 class twice for credit, and a third time without credit. Level 2 and 3 classes can be taken 3 times for credit (I believe?), since the dance majors end up in those classes by sophomore year.</p>
<p>I’m a BFA Musical Theatre major, and just declared a Dance minor. Many MT students who have dance training do this, and graduate without any complication as long as they take at least two dance classes per semester. The main difficult aspect about completing the minor is that you have to be cast in the Fredonia Dance Ensemble (our MainStage dance concert) for one year. </p>
<p>Much less common is that a student with extensive dance training can complete a dual major in Musical Theatre and Dance. As daunting as that may seem, it is doable in four years as long as the student keeps that goal in mind and satisfies the requirements when necessary. Three years of Dance Ensemble are required for the major.</p>
<p>HI. My daughter was accepted into the BFA Musical Theater program for fall 2013. She will be coming to visit in the next month to see the program and figure out if the school is a good fit for her. Can you tell me about the level of training you feel you are receiving in dance, acting and voice? She would probably be an MT with the theatre concentration. Also, are you enjoying being at Fredonia? She is a bit concerned that she will feel isolated being so far away from a city.</p>
<p>I sent you an email. Let me know if you have any other questions, preferably by email</p>
<p>My son got his acceptance letter today for Fredonia’s BFA Musical Theater program! Yay, Fredonia!</p>
<p>Congrats!!! Hope to see him in the fall :)</p>
<p>@BroadwayBound, thanks so much for your message! Unfortunately, I don’t have enough posts on CC to respond. My son is planning to attend accepted students day on 4/6. Maybe we’ll meet you then? </p>
<p>Thanks again for wishing him well. He is very excited about Fredonia!</p>
<p>Between myself and BroadwayBound164, we probably will get the chance to meet your son 
Always nice to meet the new ones, especially the excited ones! I’ll keep an eye out for him myself.</p>
<p>Thanks, SongSearcher! My son is really looking forward to his upcoming visit when he’ll be shadowing BroadwayBound164. Maybe he’ll meet you then!</p>
<p>Oh, if he’s shadowing, then I will definitely run into him. Especially if he comes to ballet class :)</p>