Would it be possible to please open a forum for Dance Majors? This is very specialized and cannot really be lumped in with the MT or Arts forums. I would find it particularly helpful as I have a D who has lots of friends who will be applying to college as dance majors in the next couple of years.
Thanks
I think this would also be helpful. There are a number of threads under arts major but each time they require a search to find. Lots of good info already there so it would be great to have easy access to it for future reference.
Thanks Mom of 3!
I absolutely agree that this would be tremendously helpful. My d is in her third year of college and, fortunately, found the perfect program for her, but we were pretty lucky in that regard I feel.
I would love to help others in their search!
I have a daughter who is a sophomore in high school and a dancer. We would definately like a forum for dance majors.
What a help it would be to have Dance identified as a forum! I’ve not found an equivalent to CC on other boards that cater to dance majors. The search function for prior postings is helpful, but it’s hard to keep a discussion going. Plus, the intricacies of applying to college in dance are mind-boggling. Even at this point, as the decision is looming, I would love to compare notes with other dance-majors, dance-major parents.
I agree. Though my d’s college decision has been made, we turned up some great information in the search process, and I’d like to be able to pass it on here. Questions about dance majors are fairly common on the Parents and College Search board. So, please, administrators? 
jasmom, I sent you a PM.
I’m on board with frazzled1. D’s ending her freshman year, but I’d also like to pass on what I learned to other dancers.
Just wanted to let you guys know that I requested a Dance Forum on CC and Roger Dooley has agreed to set one up and once he does, existing threads on dance will be moved to the new forum. Look for it soon hopefully.
PS…to jasmom…would love to hear where your D lands for dance this fall.
Thanks so much, soozie! Looking forward to it.
A dance forum is a great idea. College dance programs can vary so much. It would be great to have a forum to share info.
I think a dance forum would be extremely helpful.
Oh…how I would have loved a Dance forum the past couple of years! I’m a senior and just went through the whole process. Had many tough decisions…whether to pragmatically pursue chemicial engineering or continue my study of dance. My heartfelt passion won. Applied and auditioned at NYU-Tisch, University of Indiana, University of Utah, University of Oklahoma, SMU, and University of Washington (academic/financial safety). I learned so much and would love to share my knowledge.
I just mailed my letter of intent…to JUILLIARD!!
Oh wow!!! Congratulations OCS!!!
I take it from your screenname you are not exclusively into ballet? My D’s ballet teacher insists that long term study of other disciplines like modern and tap hinders ballet technique. What do you think? After all you got into Julliard so you must know something right!!
yoo hoo!!! Congrats!!!
BTW, thank you SoozieVT!!! Is Roger needing a Mod for that board? I might be able to do it but not sure what it entails?
Thanks MO3S!
You are correct, in a sense. I didn’t begin in ballet. In fact, I hated it when I was younger. I spent my first nine years in a commercial, competition-based studio with an excellent teacher who started me on this journey. My focuses were lyrical, jazz, and especially tap. When I was about 13, I represented the United States at the World Tap Dance Championships in Slovenia, and won the title. While I was there, one of the adjudicators pulled me aside and told me to concentrate on classical ballet training if I wanted a career in dance. Upon arriving back in the states, I auditioned at a pre-pro ballet school and was accepted. I was put in a very low level with kids much younger than myself, but worked hard and quickly rose through the levels. I came to love the discipline and artistry of ballet. I am currently a PD. PDs take class with the professional company in the mornings and then rehearse/perform with them when roles are available. We take the highest level of technique/pointe/pas/modern classes in the afternoons/evenings/weekends with the school.
So, in answer to your question, I am currently only training and performing in ballet and modern right now. I very much agree with your ballet teacher about not studying tap at the same time. When I tap, I’m on the balls of my feet, shortening my Achilles tendon and using different muscles. Ballet, of course, requires a longer, loose Achilles for plies. The two are not at all compatible. However, in my opinion, once a dancer has muscle memory of proper ballet technique, then modern or jazz shouldn’t be as much of a problem. Our school usually doesn’t introduce modern until the student is about 16-17 years old. It’s funny because most of my ballet-only peers absolutely hate the modern and jazz classes. They don’t know how to let loose and “perform” in that way. I think they’re use to being told exactly what to do…and they do it very well. But, having had the jazz background and competitions experiences that I have had have made me a much better performer overall.
“After all you got into Julliard so you must know something right!!”
Your sentence made me laugh.<br>
I humbly reply…I have so much more to learn!!
WOW OCS!!! Your post illustrates exactly why we need a Dance Majors forum.
In a lot of ways you could be talking about my own D. She is 13 now, at a Pre-Pro school for the last 2.5 years and apprentice the their company (which is an officially sanctioned professional company).
She started off the same as you, at a competition school taking clog, tap, jazz, and lyrical. She did very very well on the comp circuit and won many regional overalls, scholarships at conventions etc. but something was always lacking. Her comp SO suggested ballet training outside of their studio (she just didn’t have the experience) and my D auditioned, started w/ a class of kids slightly younger than her and by the end of the summer had moved up to the level of kids her own age and now is taking classes at one level under the senior company dancers. I never thought the ballet would last, but she is hooked.
Many of her classmates have the same attitude that your classmates do, that anything but classical ballet is a waste. D still enjoys,in moderation, her tap and modern privates at the other studio as well as a recreational hip hop but we are thinking that for her future it is better to start tapering off. Also, this year we have had to stop competing as the ballet schedule of rehearsals and classes is way too intense to commit to a competition schedule as well. I cannot wait for her to read your post.
One thing I do notice, and I think our ballet teacher as well does, is that the ‘competition’ students bring a lot to the company. We have several and their comfort level and presence on stage is amazing. I am sure you have noticed the same thing.
Thank you for your advice and good luck w. Julliard.
Just adding my vote for having a dance major’s forum here!
^^^ Me too.