<p>Are there any colleges/universities who have Musical Theatre or jazz classes as good as the ones at Broadway Dance and Steps in NYC?</p>
<p>By "good" I mean taught by real broadway dancers/choreographers and populated by professional level students.</p>
<p>Thanks! I keep hoping!</p>
<p>Your question is hard because if the students at various programs were “professional” - they would not need to be in training programs. Having said that, there are some schools that have high level dancers and are taught by excellent teachers. One that comes to mind is Elon ( I’m sure others will chip in). The professional MT performers and dancers I know, who do take class from a choreographer that has project coming up - will often talk about a good class meaning - fast paced, with difficult combinations (that challenged them), and with music that inspired them. That is great when you are in New York and are a working professional - the object then is to stay in shape, keep your skills sharp, and make contacts for casting. IT IS NOT the object of a dance class in a training program. There you should not be too concerned over combinations and more concerned with corrections, technique, and “stacking” knowledge and skill sets that will allow you to become that working professional.</p>
<p>By the way, being a professional dancer does not make one either a good choreographer or a good teacher; being a professional choreographer does not make you a good teacher. Dancer, choreographer, and teacher - these are three separate and distinct gifts that are related, but require decidedly different skill sets.</p>
<p>Agree with all of MTdog’s post. That said, I was also going to say Elon.</p>
<p>Broadway Dance and Steps are good exercise and good for keeping your skills sharp between paying jobs, but I don’t think they are comparable to a college course. There can be no progression and no mentoring from your professor, one on one. As far as jazz and musical theater goes, I’ve heard good things about Muhlenberg.</p>
<p>Are you looking for dance classes as a part of a theater program at a college, or for brush up in between semesters or after completing a program? I know that many of the kids at Penn State do a summer session for dance at Point Park to keep in shape. My D does drop in classes in Los Angeles during the summer if she is home, but I will have to ask the name of the studiio. I’m not sure in what capacity you want to take classes, or in what area of the country, so it is hard to answer your question.</p>
<p>“Dancer, choreographer, and teacher - these are three separate and distinct gifts that are related, but require decidedly different skill sets.” - MTdog71</p>
<p>True, but they are not mutually exclusive.</p>
<p>do-what - yes, of course - but that is not the caveat, not the pitfall that many folks mistakenly use a a measure when making judgements. It is quite as simple as knowing, for example, that being a great football player does not, in any way, make one a great football coach, and vis-a-versa. Look at Hall of Fame football coach Marv Levy - barely 5’ 9" and of slight build. He was on the team at Coe College - but never played a down in a real game, either in college or as a pro. Yet, he is a NFL Hall of Fame Football Coach! This has to do with 1) his understanding of the game and 2) his ability to teach and inspire others to play championship football. So to a great dancer may have the skills and technique to move through space - but the same person might not have a clue on creating choreography. The same person may have no idea on how to convey what they do to a novice who does not already know. A great choreographer might design well when creating new dances - but only be able to have their work performed with already trained dancers. A great teacher of dance knows how to break down the moves in a methodical step by step process, they know how to correct technique so that the steps comes easier and look better. Most importantly they know how to inspire their students to reach new heights and to each become the best they can.</p>
<p>Agree - and in keeping with the MT nature of this forum (since many of us may not relate to football) your premise also applies to acting and singing. :)</p>
<p>I have heard nothing but positive things about the Commercial Dance program at Pace. </p>
<p>My d will have acting and voice lessons along with dance. It is primarily a dance major, but I know many students who auditioned for MT and went into the CD program and are extremely happy with it, and are still getting a well rounded MT education. Plus they can audition while they attend school.</p>
<p>I would investigate that program if you’re looking for professional dance training and MT.</p>
<p>My D really wanted MT, but at this moment, her dance is her strongest ability, though her singing and acting aren’t far behind, she has had more dance training over all, and apparently that made more of an impact during her auditions. </p>
<p>She will still take classes at BDC when she has time, as well as continue to work with her current vocal coach.</p>
<p>Lulusmom2 - and she gets to work with Rhonda Miller every day!!! That in itself will be a treat!!! She is a great teacher AND choreographer!!! Congrats to your daughter!!!</p>
<p>Since my kids were in a pre-professional performing dance company for several years (and worked with Rhonda on many occasions), they have lots of friends pursuing dance careers including a couple at Pace for Commercial Dance. They love it, too!</p>
<p>Thanks, do! My daughter’s dance teacher was very proud of her; she knows Rhonda and knows that this is an awesome opportunity for my d. When we were sitting in the Q and A for the whole Performing Arts auditions at Pace, my d looked down and whispers to me “Do you know who that blonde haired lady is, Mom? That’s RHONDA MILLER!”. LOL.</p>
<p>When she came out of her dance portion of the audition, she knew from some current students that they were going to want her for CD, and it was their positive experiences and attitudes that made my daughter decide that she would also consider the CD in addition to the MT; she’s got her feet in the door, literally I guess,so that makes her really happy. She has danced competitively since she was 5, but had stopped this year to focus more on her acting and singing; she had three leads in the past three school productions, so she felt it was time to concentrate more on the singing and acting. We joked after her audition though, “You can take the girl out of dance, but you can’t take the dancer out of the girl”. She does want to do more than dance, though…but this is a huge opportunity to work with the best in the business, and she wants that very much!</p>
<p>…or boy!!! ;)</p>
<p>Or boy most definitely!!, but we were specifically talking about my d when we made that comment. :)</p>