<p>lorrainedelis: I don’t think you are, don’t worry. I’m not sure what post you’re referring to, but in terms of the Barnard to bed, Columbia to wed thing, don’t lose any sleep over that. If ever you run into someone at Columbia who says that (non-ironically), then ignore them…I never met someone who thought Barnard was lesser. Or if I did, they didn’t make that opinion known. Anyone who expresses that opinion isn’t worth your time. The only people who would make you feel bad for going to Barnard are people who are not self-confident enough and so they feel the need to put you down. It’s juvenile. And for what it’s worth, I’ve heard people say “X to wed, X to bed” about other schools, so it’s not unique to BC/CU.</p>
<p>Hi dolphins! This is kind of an obscure question but I’m hoping since you were involved with languages/linguistics at Barnard you might have some idea…I’m currently teaching myself Old English and I’ve been ■■■■■■■■ around the Barnard website trying to find out whether they have classes in it so I can continue studying in more of a structured/classroom-y environment. So far my searching has been unsuccessful. Do you know if there’s any way to study Old English at Barnard or Columbia? Any info you have would be much appreciated, though I understand my question is absurdly obscure.</p>
<p>Hi! I was just wondering how the placement worked for the dance program. Is there a placement class, or do students self assess and then move up or down a level if necessary? Do many dance classes have prerequisites?</p>
<p>I can answer the dance question:</p>
<p>Barnard offers 6 graduated levels in both ballet and modern and they also offer other styles as well, but not as many levels. The also offer solo/ repertoire classes in the different styles, often taught by guest faculty for a semester or two. </p>
<p>The way placement in the different levels works: you attend the level you “think” you should be in during the “shopping” phase (first week or two) of the semester. The instructor will see how many are in the class and look at the levels of ability there and may suggest that you move into another class (or you can make that decision yourself). Participation in solo/rep classes is more limited, I believe. It’s at the discretion of the instructor (I think). Check the dance dept’s website for more class descriptions…</p>
<p>My d LOVED being involved in dance at Barnard!!!</p>
<p>Jaden, I’m pretty sure that students just sign up for whatever dance level they feel is appropriate. I believe that, at least for the upper levels, the enrollment is tentative until after the first class – that is, subject to the instructor’s approval. My daughter had a lot of dance training, so she just signed up for high end classes to start. I believe you can also informally audit classes with no problem – that is, you can show up and attend classes from time to time that you are not officially enrolled in, or at least some classes. (I know that my d. never was enrolled in Allegra Kent’s Friday ballet class but did attend on occasion – however, the class tended to be pretty crowded.)</p>
<p>Here’s a link to the dance courses which also shows the requirements/prerequisites for each: [Barnard</a> College, Online Course Catalogue](<a href=“http://www.barnard.edu/catalog/depts/danb.php?tab=courses]Barnard”>http://www.barnard.edu/catalog/depts/danb.php?tab=courses)</p>
<p>calmon- I looked at the dance courses and it looks like a lot of them don’t have requirements/prerequisites. Still, do you know if it’s strange if somebody with zero dance experience signed up for a beginner class?
dolphins3636- Thanks for the insight 
It looks like you were pretty involved with Columbia.</p>
<p>if i get into barnard I’d want to take a class too shay! so hopefully its not weird :)</p>
<p>shmeepo: Cool question! As far as I know there’s no class in Old English at BC/CU. There is a class through the English dept on the History of English but I never got a chance to take it. I would contact Alan Timberlake (at Columbia) who basically heads the linguistics program, and ask him about it. There might be a class on it that I’m just not aware of. It isn’t that obscure of a question- I was interested in Old English myself, but never got a chance to study it. Even if there’s no specific class, you can always do independent research in it!</p>
<p>Jaden239, shay33 & lorrainedelis: churchmusicmom & calmom are correct. It isn’t weird for someone who’s never done dance to sign up for an intro class, don’t worry!</p>
<p>Shay, “beginner” means zero dance experience – or very little – the class would be way too easy and boring for someone who has more training. So of course you can take those classes, and will be very welcome there!</p>
<p>I used to take adult beginner classes at the studio where my daughter danced when she was very young – they were a lot of fun, and I never moved beyond “beginner”. Of course, it was also kind of funny, since my daughter was about 9 years old and taking classes at a level way, way ahead of me!</p>
<p>Are rep classes like classical variations multileveled or only for the level VI girls? I’m assuming they’re all on pointe, but do you know if there’s a particular focus of the variations?
I love that auditions to get in to Barnard’s dance department aren’t required and that they’re open to non dance majors. Most colleges with legitimate dance programs require a completely seperate audition and admissions process like an SI in addition to a college XP</p>
<p>Thank you all for your responses, they are very helpful and informative!</p>
<p>@jaden239 ya I think thats really cool too! If I go to Barnard, I’ll definitely take advantage of the dance classes…it sounds like a lot of fun…I quit 4 years ago but I’d love to take it up again! :)</p>
<p>Jaden, the first dance class my daughter took at Barnard was a ballet variations class, at a fairly high level. She just signed up and went. It was not required to be en pointe – I think most of the women in the class did dance on pointe, but my daughter was not willing to do that, as she hadn’t danced on pointe since about age 14. She felt it was dangerous to just start right up in a challenging class after not being on pointe for so many years. There was one time – I think for family weekend – that the class was going to do a small performance for guests, and my d. couldn’t be in it because the teacher wanted everyone en pointe — but it didn’t matter. My d. really loved the instructor, and she got an A+ in the class, so obviously her unwillingness to dance on pointe didn’t count against her in any way.</p>
<p>Check the Beowulf course. It’s often taught in conjunction with some Old English. At least it was/is in my English Dept. I’d check myself, but I’m running late and have appointments really early today.</p>
<p>@Calmom, did your daughter find it easy to get back into dance? I trained at a pre pro level until I was 15/16 then got away from it because of a family death, but I would like to return to training at that high level in college. Right now with an unsupportive single mom it’s not really feasible.
I know that the Columbia Ballet Collaborative and Orchesis have performances, but does BC/CU also have official performances and if so what kind of pieces do they typically perform? Do they ever put on full length classical/romantic ballets?</p>
<p>Sorry for all the questions, I’m just really interested in the dance program and you are all so knowledgeable about it!</p>
<p>The Columbia Ballet Collaborative and Orchesis both include Barnard students as well as CC students. Any Columbia student taking dance classes or majoring in dance does so through Barnard. My D, who was a student at Barnard, was very involved in Orchesis, for example, and she choreographed a piece that was selected to be performed at the Columbia Arts gala that is held in late January or early Feb each year. </p>
<p>In addition, the Barnard project at Dance Theatre workshop presents a performance each semester. Different well known choreographers hold open auditions at the beginning of each semester, and will select their cast accordingly. There has been a lot of modern-style presented in the past, but a LOT of it is ballet-based. Barnard Dances at Miller happens each Spring, I believe, and includes a variety of styles. Also, as an “off shoot” of Orchesis, there is the MaMa project (student-choreographed, produced, etc) that presents in the Spring, with auditions usually late in the Fall semester, I think.</p>
<p>There are other performance opportunities that I have omitted, I am sure. If you want to dance, particularly if you have been out of class for a while, i think Barnard with its varied levels of classes offered will be a great place for you to pursue this.</p>
<p>Jaden, my daughter danced consistently through high school as she was a dance major an arts magnet school. It’s just that the focus of the high school was more toward modern and jazz – as she had shifted from ballet studio to school, she stopped dancing en pointe. So she wasn’t in a situation like yours – she had taken ballet class every day at her high school, it just wasn’t en pointe. (The ballet pieces the high school did were contemporary, not classical, and my daughter’s interests shifted toward choreography; I think she would have liked to have more of an opportunity to choreograph at Barnard, but it didn’t work out that way for her.)</p>
<p>I do think that for you, coming back after a hiatus of several years, you would probably find that Barnard would offer the level of challenge and opportunity that is very appropriate for your needs.</p>
<p>OK, thank you both so much for the detailed responses, they were very informative and helpful!</p>
<p>one more question (maybe, I’m sure I’ll have more haha)</p>
<p>there is a question on the supplement about barnard’s approach to the liberal arts…what is different about their approach? I’ve read everything there is on the website and elsewhere but there is so much info and I’m not sure what’s unique about their approach. I know the classes are small and promote discussion, but is there anything else? I feel like I’m missing something because I don’t know what to say about their approach to the LA education…thank you so much!</p>
<p>lorranedelis I was wondering the same thing…lol I feel stupid 
oh and I’m from Texas too!! woohoo! :)</p>
<p>haha I’m glad I’m not the only one! well good luck on yours! I’m hoping to finish mine and send them in by tonight :)</p>