MT Schools with heavy dance emphasis

Which MT schools have heavy dance emphasis? My daughter has more dance training and that is definitely her strength and she is interested in narrowing down her list of schools to those which may have more extensive dance training and/or where the audition may take dance into account more than most? Do those even exist?

They do! it’s a good question because many MT programs emphasize voice over dance. I believe OKC, Point Park and Roosevelt/CCPA are all dance-heavy programs. I know the dance call at CCM is supposed to be brutal so I’m assuming there’s a heavy emphasis there as well. One of last year’s class went to Ball State because they offered more flexibility for experienced dancers. That’s off the top of my head - I don’t have a dance-first kid and we didn’t apply to any of those schools so my info is second-hand and I hope other people can help you out more.

Baldwin Wallace.

I remember years ago a mom called @Calliene had a daughter at Montclair, and one of the big selling points of Montclair was that the daughter was a strong dancer, and the MT dance classes were levelled, so she could take advanced classes and even take classes with the dance majors, if I remember correctly. So Montclair would be one to look at.

I’ve also heard that the dance audition for Pace’s MT program is one of the hardest ones.

@4gsmom, could you elaborate on BW’s dance component for their MT program? We know they have a fairly new BA in Dance & Theatre, any knowledge about that program?

OCU offers 10 levels in each dance discipline, so you are sure to be placed in classes appropriate for your skill level. You are leveled each semester. All classes are at th reknowned Ann Lacy School of Dance which has produced large numbers of Broadway, national tour and regional performers. MTs take classes with dance majors if they level into those classes.

A lot of the dancers I treat go here :https://www.mmm.edu/departments/dance/

I would encourage a strong dancer to apply to Boston Conservatory @ Berklee. My daughter is a dancer first, with pretty extensive classical ballet training, and is thriving there, improving her vocal skills and loving the theater training as well. Just another suggestion to add to the list! Good luck. Dance is so important, and dancers should never feel “less than” in the process of applying to MT programs for college. I’d say be on the lookout for programs that make your daughter proud of her dance training.

I believe Rider has strong dance, and Otterbein has an integrated dance minor in the BFA. In terms of (slightly) less competitive schools, I have heard SUNY buffalo is pretty strong on dance. I would also recommend looking into BA programs because they offer flexibility. Wagner for example only requires a few dance classes in total but I know a student who takes 3+ dance classes most semesters. Muhlenberg (non-audition) has both a dance and a theatre major so you could double major and take voice if you wanted MT training that was heavy in dance.

If your D has extensive training, I would encourage her to find schools that might allow her to dance with the dance majors. Some schools will only let you dance with fellow MTs (no matter what level she’s placed in) and that might not be enough for her.

Elon and Florida State both have a tough dance call and put a lot of emphasis on dance. But, like CCM and OCU they are are very competitive vocally too.

Another idea - consider BFA Dance programs that allow cross-casting in plays and musicals PLUS voice and acting lessons. (especially if the schools have a strong theater program) From what I understand, sometimes dancers who need a fair share of work in vocal instruction, struggle to find BFA MT programs, as many tend to prioritize singing and acting.
ETA - CCPA MT w Dance Emphasis might be a great place to look. BAL!

Indiana University MT Theatre director has NY choreography background the dance audition was like a broadway audition last year

I’ve heard that about IU’s dance audition. I’ve also heard several times that their out of state price is very high…something to explore if your list is limited.

Indiana is part of the mid-west tuition exchange. Check out the exchange - if your state is a part of it, you could get very close to in-state tuition in another state.