<p>How much ballet is available in the dance program at Duke? I'm an advanced level dancer and I don't want to give that up when I go away to college. I've heard good things about the program, but any input from students at Duke would be fantastic.</p>
<p>Thanks :-)</p>
<p>yay Duke Dance!</p>
<p>There are some amazing dancers on campus, and you’ll definitely be able to continue dancing/performing. Modern is generally a really big deal, particularly because of ADF being on campus, but I, like you, wanted to continue ballet. There are many different classes offered, and if you’re an advanced dancer you’re probably going to do either Ballet 5, which is essentially just the 2 most advanced classes (Ballet 3 and 4) combined under 1 class (as in you take Ballet 3 and 4 but your schedule says Ballet 5), or Dance 80 which is basically like pick which classes you want to take what days of the week (so you can throw in some modern or jazz or something if you want). There’s also Ballet rep which is basically just the rehearsals for the Fall and Spring productions. For the most part there are usually 2 different repertory performances put together by professors and sometimes student-choreographed performances. But yeah, the fall production is called November Dances and the spring Choreolab…google them and you’ll probably find some photos/maybe videos. So yes, opportunities to take classes AND perform, and if you want to, choreograph (usually as senior project).</p>
<p>Professors are amazing. Tyler Walters is wonderful, and does some amazing choreography, and his wife, Julie is also fabulous. They’re both a bit on the contemporary side of things, but you’ll get to know them both and love their classes!</p>
<p>I also know a lot of Duke dancers who have gone on to work with some amazing companies/choreographers over the summer if that’s something you’re interested in as well. Plus Duke brings in SO MANY dancers/choreographers every year so master classes/opportunities to work with them are everywhere. Last year we had Shen Wei (more on the modern side, but the guy choreographed the Beijing opening ceremony…enough said), Donald Byrd (whose dancers did some straight ballet master classes), Leonard Cruz (who actually taught all spring), and Vincent Mantsoe. Also, Katie Glasner who has been with Twyla Tharp’s company for years actually set Eight Jelly Rolls on a group of Duke dancers and it was AMAZING. I know these are all modern/contemporary people, but it gives you a sense of the importance of Duke’s dance program to the university as a whole. AND ADF is showing a real return to the ballet end of things this year, so maybe this fall there will be some more of that on campus:)</p>
<p>Another cool thing is if you decide to major in dance, you’ll not only have your technique classes, but also classroom classes. Postmodern dance, the Diaghiliv ballet, Ballet Masters, Anatomy for dancers, etc etc. In my opinion, a really cool second major if you’re not aspiring on being a professional dancer but want to continue!</p>
<p>If you visit campus DEFINITELY take a class…Ballet 4 is offered MWF mornings, usually, and Ballet 3 TuTh afternoons, which is where you’ll find Duke’s advanced dancers/rep students. I think any advanced dancer will be really happy with the opportunities to continue at Duke…you definitely won’t have to let it go!</p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>