Join a ballet company and go to college?

College Majors Dance Major
1

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I’m helping my son’s girlfriend research college’s known for good ballet programs and have found great info on this forum.</p>

<p>His girlfriend mentioned to me that there might be ballet companies that if she joins allow her to go to college while in the company. </p>

<p>I’m concerned that this may have ramifications that will hurt her chance for financial aid if she decided to attend a traditional college later on. I’m also wondering if this sort of education is even accredited so that grad schools would recognize her degree. </p>

<p>Perhaps if she wants to join a company after high school it should be part of a gap year rather then in addition to going to college.</p>

<p>If these ballet companies are out that that do offer a real college education in conjunction to working in a company do any of you know what companies she should look into?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>It is nice that you are willing to help her. I know more about various dance programs vs ballet companies that offer college education. My DD is currently a sophomore dance major but not in a company. I think it would be really hard to do both. I know that Alvin Ailey is affiliated with Fordham University in NYC. We had a dancer from our studio who was accepted to the Ailey program but did not have the academics to get into Fordham. I think one option would be to audition for companies, and if she gets in, then take some classes from nearby schools. I think the performance/rehearsal schedule for a company would be all most people could manage. If she goes to a dance program in a university they gear performances/rehearsals with the understanding you have finals etc. They basically know a student’s schedule. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.</p>

3

<p>Ballet West and the University of Utah were discussing something last year, but I don’t know if it has gotten beyond the talking stage.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the info. This is very helpful.</p>

5

<p>You might want to take a look at dancers.invisionzone.com (BalletTalk for Dancers). It is site that has some pretty extensive information including forums on higher education by school with respect to ballet.</p>

6

<p>It really depends on what she wants to do. There are different levels of dancing in a company-apprenticeship, company member, trainee, ect. These can get very demanding and could be very difficult to do along with college. However, she could take classes at a local company and attend college, to get her name out so she would have a good reputation to join later. As already stated there are several colleges with partnerships… but they will be focused on dance and not so much on the academic side. It will not be a normal college experience. Richmond Ballet and VCU have a great program, Bellmont University and Nashville Ballet, Lines and Dominican University, ect… but also keep in mind that some colleges may not have an immediate partnership, but a great reputation and relationship with companies. For example, University of Texas Austin does not have a partnership with Austin Ballet, but 70% of their dancers graduated from that college. Hope this helps.</p>