<p>I'm new to this site and trying to figure out some schools to attend. I plan to major in dance and I am currently a senior in high school. I am currently applying to Oklahoma City University and Columbia College Chicago. I currently live in Illinois. The biggest issue I have had in trying to find programs that fit for me is that I am not strongest in ballet. I am stronger as well as more interested in Jazz/Tap/Theatre Dance, but have a lot of experience in Modern/Contemporary as well. Obviously, you have to take a lot of ballet classes wherever you go, but one of the reasons I am very interested in OCU is that the emphasis is more on Jazz/Tap rather than strictly ballet. I am not a ballerina by any means; I have never actually gone on pointe before and Does anyone have some suggestions of schools that are more Jazz/Tap/Modern based rather than classical/strictly ballet? Thanks so much!</p>
<p>DanceDance 14 - My daughter is looking for similar programs, strong in tap and that also have musical theater opportunities for her as a dance major. She is going to audition at OCU, Muhlenberg, SUNY @ Buffalo, and Pace.</p>
<p>Good luck to you!</p>
<p>Point Park University in Pittsburgh has several tracks or concentrations - ballet, jazz, modern and pedagogy. Very well respected program. My DD is a dance major but she is not a ballerina either. She attends Slippery Rock University - focus on ballet and modern. She loves tap, jazz and musical theatre but felt she needed more focus on ballet and modern so chose to go where those are more of a focus. Both PPU and OCU have rigorous auditions. They also weigh you first off and then monitor your weight throughout. Now I understand that body type is very important in the real world to get hired for jobs but have heard it is such a focus and that just puts added pressure on the kids.</p>
<p>Hey!!! Just read your post and got so excited!!! Have you looked into Pace University in NYC. We’re the country’s one and only Commercial Dance Program. Our program is based in ballet and jazz but we also take classes in theatre dance, contemporary, tap, hip hop, modern, and (our new) aerial arts class! On top of all of the dance we do, we also take vocal and acting classes. We focus on making each dancer the best version of themselves. I’m currently a sophomore in the program and loving every minute of it!! If you have any questions, please write back or message me! :)</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for the advice! My problem is that while I would love to go to NYC/be more on the east coast, my mom doesn’t want me to go that far. I’ve looked into a bunch of schools over there, but I doubt I can apply to any of them. My mom is giving me all these reasons why I shouldn’t go to OCU, which is still kind of in the midwest…She says that she wants to be able to come see performances, etc. and not have to fly to wherever I am. If anyone has suggestions that are more midwest based, I would really appreciate it!</p>
<p>What about Ball State or Butler University in Indiana? I know that Butler is very ballet based but I have heard that Ball State has a good program, a lot of musical theatre grads I know of have come from there.</p>
<p>I am looking into Ball State! I’ve heard good things about it, so I will probably apply there as well. I did look at Butler, but it seems extremely based in classical ballet, which is not what I want. Thank you for your input! (:</p>
<p>Have you checked out Wright State University in Ohio? I’m originally from Cincinnati (hence my name on here… haha!). They have a strong dance program that is more of what you’re looking for. A lot of my friends go there and they absolutely love it!</p>