Duke Dance Program?

[daniellem30]

<p>Is there anyone who can tell me if they like or dislike the Duke Dance Program and what they have heard about it? Is it as good as the advertise on their site?</p>

[ksharper]

<p>I am a freshman that just enrolled in a dance class (Ballet IV) this semester. The class is challenging, but mostly because the students are really willing to put the time and effort into improving. Though everyone takes the class seriously, the atmosphere remains light-hearted. The teachers understand that we put homework above most other activities, but they still want to give us the best training possible. Two weeks ago, Alonzo King did a residency, which was a fairly big deal. The teachers constantly bring in new and interesting people for us to learn from.<br>
I have not been involved with the program long, but I would be happy to try to answer any other questions you may have.</p>

[warblersrule]

<p>I don’t know if loveduke22 is still reading, so I’ll take the liberty of quoting her.

@loveduke22

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>

[loveduke22]

<p>Haha thanks! I was gonna pull up that post, but you did the job for me:)</p>

[Outofcash]

<p>Does anyone know whether Duke has a traveling Ballroom Dance team that competes at least nationally? (Ohio Star Ball, Nationals etc.)</p>

<p>Also, (if it exists) is the team any good?</p>

<p>I know most of the Northeastern schools have good teams (cept for Dartmouth, but my research over Duke was inconclusive.</p>

[warblersrule]

<p>I’m not sure. I do know that one shouldn’t assume that it doesn’t simply because it’s not in the northeast; one of my good friends is at Carolina and has won several awards in ballroom and other dancing competitions. </p>

<p>Contacting people in the Duke Ballroom dancing group might be a place to start, though it looks like it hasn’t been updated in a while:</p>

<p>[Duke</a> Ballroom Dance Club Home Page](<a href=“http://www.duke.edu/web/danceclub/]Duke”>http://www.duke.edu/web/danceclub/)</p>

<p>I know several people in other dancing organizations - DefMo, Sabrosura (Latin dancing), etc. - and they seem to be very active/popular.</p>