no college

College Majors Dance Major
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<p>My daughter went thru the college application process last spring, got accepted to her top choice and asked for, and was granted, a deferral in order to attend a post-grad training program with an affiliated ballet company. She now has decided to go to college this fall. But she’s now more interested in contemporary/modern dance and she hopes to be accepted to a contemporary dance program this summer. Thankfully, her college (like most LACs and even larger colleges) focus more on modern dance rather than ballet so she will still have opportunities to study dance, though she intends to be a non-dance major. </p>

<p>Looking at some modern companies, it seems that most are college graduates, unlike dancers in ballet companies, but that is just my observation.</p>

22

<p>Forgot to mention that our daughter did not do senior year in high school, but got her GED in November. We were also investigating a diploma through North Atlantic Regional High School in Maine. They will take your high school transcript, homeschooling activities, volunteering, dance training etc. and grant credit for many things that might not get credit at a high school. We felt that it was rigorous enough and it is accredited and recognized everywhere. Just in case anyone else’s child can benefit from this…For senior year, the cost is around $500, because they do transcripts and other services for college applications. At this point, we are waiting to see if she needs a diploma as well as the GED.</p>

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<p>do you need to be a Maine resident for this diploma? If so, does anyone know of a similar program for NYS residents?
Thanks</p>

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<p>No, you do not have to be a Maine resident.</p>

<p>There are a few other programs like this: they are not “diploma mills” and are accredited.</p>

<p>We found NARHS through Aventa Learning’s online high school program, which we felt was pretty good.</p>

<p>NARHS told us that some Olympic athletes (snowboarding) and a teen soap star from the “Young and the Restless” are using their program.</p>

<p>You can find them online. They will send you a handbook at no charge, and also do free transcript evaluations, then tell you what is left to do.</p>

25

<p>Regarding college or no college, and different experiences of dance professionals:</p>

<p>Having been in this field for many years, I can give you examples of real-life experiences of various dance professionals. I’ll use letters to identify them:</p>

<p>Dancer A: ballerina, knew she wanted to do exactly that from the age of 8 onward. Brilliant girl, straight A’s, also talented singer. Graduated high school a semester early, went directly into an apprentice program with a mid-size ballet company, then by age 18 had a contract with a good regional company. By 21 or so had moved on to the national company where she finished up as principal dancer. She retired from dancing at age 34, truly on top of her game, but she had wanted to retire at 35–just one more season–she was pushed out by the director in favor of a younger dancer. She never went to college, is married w/ 2 kids, works part time, misses ballet terribly. Still has dreams of dancing, but was never interested in teaching or choreographing. She’s not involved in dance at all anymore, doesn’t regret a thing.</p>

<p>Dancer B: Grew up dancing but not solely ballet. Went to a major University with an excellent dance program, but became impatient with school, wanted to get on with professional life. So, she stepped up her studies and graduated in 3 years with her bachelors degree. Moved to a large city where she worked her butt off, on scholarship with a major school (jazz, ballet, show-type stuff), trained in voice, did the commercial dance audition circuit. Within a few years she landed a principal role in the bus and truck tour of a MAJOR Broadway show (a mostly dancing role), did that for almost 3 years (banked nearly every penny). She then went on to do that same role on Broadway for another 2 or 3 years. Decided to try to do more acting, so left her gig to try to get others, was not successful in that. She did a two year intensive training for acting in NYC. She moved to LA to try for TV/movies and got some commercial work but not much. Continued to create her own work with youth theater and dance. Eventually began to teach dance at a CC, got a masters degree in dance in order to qualify for full-time work at a CC, and now teaches acting, directs shows, choreographs at a CC (tenured position). She also acts in plays every year.</p>

<p>Dancer C: Grew up doing ballet, also Ballet Folklorico and Flamenco. Went to Juilliard for dance, got a masters in education later. Performed professionally in NY (before the masters), then afterward taught elementary school (is bilingual Spanish). Has always continued performing and modeling, and teaches ballet full time at a public performing arts high school.</p>

<p>Dancer D: Ballerina from a very young age, but grew up to have less than a perfect dancer’s body. Got a BA degree in dance, and always found work teaching dance in private studios. Got an MFA in dance while working nearly full time in a private studio.<br>
Eventually opened up her own studio, starting small but then building up. A phenomenal teacher and choreographer, and an extremely hard worker, she stays well connected with the professional dance teaching associations. She now owns the building where she has her studio, has an enormous number of students, works many hours, and makes A LOT more money than most people on this board. A very creative, business-smart person, she clears well over $200,000 per year, doing what she loves.</p>

<p>Dancers E and F: ballet dancer couple. Neither ever went to college. Danced in a high quality regional ballet company. Moved back to the hometown, started a ballet studio. Offered very good training, only ballet. They are able to make ends meet,have a family, but can’t really afford to buy a home or have any luxuries. They also supplement their income by doing other work during the day when the studio is not in use, including office work and construction.</p>

<p>Dancers G and H: contemporary dance couple, no kids. Both have masters degrees in dance, and have done a large amount of independent choreography, performing with small regional modern dance companies. Have moved around a lot, following the University faculty appointment of one or another of the couple. Have occasionally secured work for both of them at the same college, though they were sharing one position. They ran a community dance school for a while, focused more on contemporary dance. At present, one has a faculty position in a university while the other does free-lance work in dance as it comes along. Both very talented, intelligent people, they are making a living just fine, but modestly. They also write for and get a lot of grants to support their work. Very creative people.</p>

<p>Dancer I: eclectic dance background including ballet, jazz, modern, tap. Has bachelors and masters degrees in dance, and public school teaching certification. Has taught dance full time in universities and public schools. Also danced professionally in small regional modern dance companies. “Professionally” means that the work is paid, but definitely not enough to live on. The livelihood comes from the teaching.</p>

<p>Dancer J: male, attended a performing arts high school, then college for a BFA in dance. Has considerable dance skills in modern, jazz, and tap, can also sing, of course also trained in ballet. After college, got a gig dancing/singing on a cruise ship, did that for a few years. Then went on to dance in a small regional company (modern). Currently pulls together work from various sources, including choreography. Some of the livelihood comes from dancing, also temps.</p>

<p>Dancers K and L: Dance couple, ballet dancers, never went to college. After performing in a top-quality regional ballet company, moved to a part of the country where many new houses were being built. Started a studio, offering ballet, jazz, hip-hop, yoga, adult fitness, competition studio-type stuff. Secured a spot at the local professional theater to do their Nutcracker, with their connections in the ballet world, they are able to hire “stars” for the leads. Business built very quickly, they have a great business saavy, and their place is secure. They are making lots of money.</p>

<p>I hope these examples are helpful to parents and students contemplating a career in dance. Obviously, these are all success stories to varying degrees. What they have in common is determination to succeed and stay in the field that they love. IMO, those that went to college have more options. But, if you want a spot in a ballet company, do that first, college is later. If by the age of 21 or 22 you are not in a ballet company, it is time to look at other options. Boys may have a few more years, but not many more. It is true that many dancers in modern dance companies and on Broadway have degrees or have attended college.</p>

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<p>Wow, thanks, this was great, and just what I was hoping to be able to read about.</p>

<p>I would add that a few years back, I had a chance to talk to the members of Paul Taylor II. I asked about their backgrounds in private, at a reception, and then also in a Q & A after a performance for students in a local school.</p>

<p>The variety of backgrounds was impressive. One female dancer had been in the Miami City Ballet. Her family had moved to be near a ballet school when she was in high school. She did not go to college. The Miami City Ballet did some Taylor choreography and she fell in love with it. She decided she would do Paul Taylor work no matter what. She moved to NYC and took classes at the Taylor studio, and waited for a spot in Taylor 2. I think it took a couple of years.</p>

<p>One female dancer went to a conservatory for a year, but left. Her background in ballet was not great, and she felt inadequate. She went back to school to be an elementary school teacher, but missed dance terribly. The director of the conservatory told her she would be welcomed back, but discussed with her the fact that she would have to work really hard on ballet. She went back, did wonderfully, and joined Taylor 2 shortly after graduating.</p>

<p>One of the men went to college, then auditioned for Taylor 2.</p>

<p>I can’t remember the others’ stories, only that they were all very different.</p>

<p>I like to read bios i programs and have asked about backgrounds at other performance Q & A’s. With classical musicians as well. The common thread is hard work and dedication, and sometimes passion for a particular choreographer’s work.</p>

<p>As a parent, I would feel more comfortable with college in the equation, particularly with a daughter who does modern as well as ballet, and does not want to be in a ballet company. But she wants to go to a non-degree granting conservatory on the West Coast and see where it leads. Money is an issue, but it helps to remember how little money it can take to live on, if one is young and single, and flexible about living arrangements.</p>

<p>I am also encouraging her to look into programs like Goddard, where she might eventually get credit for some of this work.</p>

27

<p>Dear Irvinemom,</p>

<p>Have your daughter look into Alonso King’s LINES ballet SI. I believe there is one more audition this weekend in SF. Fantastic Contemporary Ballet program.</p>

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<p>Thanks fftwodancer! My daughter is familiar with LINES’s program. However, she chose to audition for Summer Rhatigan’s program at SF Conservatory of Dance. I’ve been told that, though both programs are similar (Summer used to run LINES’ program before starting her own program), they are also both excellent for ballet-trained dancers wanting to experience a more contemporary style.</p>

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<p>My D is a senior this year and is agonizing over choosing between dance and college. This is the start of her 7th year with a competitive dance company. She started late compared to many of her peers but she dedicated her time to improving her technique and skills and soon moved to the top of the group. Her teacher told her father and me that her growth was unprecedented. She spends almost as much time in the studio as she does in school. Her disciplines include ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop with her strengths being classical lyrical and contemporary. The studio strives to give the dancers exposure to different styles and choreographers. She and another dancer were selected for a duo that was choreographed by one of the primary male dancers that was on tour with Michael Jackson. There have been many long night discussions about whether or not she was meant to go to college (top 3% of class, strong leadership, 2100s SAT). Her father and I have decided not to go the route of arguing and forcing her to go to college. Instead, we listen and offer support. </p>

<p>Where has dancing taken her? She recently auditioned and was casted as one of six female dancers for a NC commercial. YEAH…dance actually paid us a check! She plans to continue to audition for roles as well as audition for the NYC Rockettes. She has also used her talent to compete for the Miss NC Outstanding Teen (preliminary to Miss America Outstanding Teen program). She was a NC preliminary title holder and competed at Miss NC Outstanding Teen last summer. While she did not win the title, she did place in Top 5 and earned savings bonds. She wants to maintain her technique and skills as she plans to compete for Miss NC in the future. </p>

<p>As for academics, she has applied to 7 colleges through regular decision. We know she has been accepted the UW-Madison where she will double major in dance and chemistry if accepts. The outcome for the other 6 will not be known until middle or late March. A lot will depend on the outcome of the remaining acceptances/denials.</p>