Schools that are NOT predominantly ballet

<p>I have been dancing for thirteen years, and although I do have ballet training it is not classical training. I am more of a competition dancer and therefore have strong training in jazz and contemporary. I would love to double major or minor in dance, but I've noticed that for most colleges you have to be very proficient in pointe and the classical style, and I don't know that I could get into those programs. Any good suggestions for ballet light dance schools?</p>

<p>NYU, the Ailey Program at Fordham, Point Park, University of the Arts, University of Michigan, and the Lines program at Dominican, University of Arizona, Indiana University’s Contemporary program, which is in a different department from the Ballet program, University of Illinois, even Juilliard does not require pointe work for their conservatory program, although it is necessary for their summer program. Many, many liberal arts colleges are far more modern based in their dance departments.</p>

<p>mavs2011 - just to make sure I understand what you are looking for… Do you want to major in an academic field outside of dance while still being able to dance through college? If that is the case, then most colleges with dance programs (both academic and extracurricular) have modern/jazz programs that you could participate in.</p>

<p>I have to say that if you want to major in dance at one of the top dance schools you have to be very strong in ballet. If you want schools where you can major in jazz/cont. then Point Park, University of the arts, Shennandoah, Dean are a few for you. I have to disagree with quill in that Alvin Ailey/fordham, NYU, IU,Uof A are very ballet oriented. My dd is not looking at those schools for this reason. For most college programs you have to well rounded and good at all forms of dance.</p>

<p>Actually, the Dominican/Lines Ballet BFA program IS primarily ballet-oriented. My DD is a rising junior in the program. It is a misconception that this contemporary [/]ballet [/] program does not require a strong foundation of classical ballet, including a proficiency in pointe. Most of the classes in the program are ballet and most of the choreography is en pointe. Ballet IS the focus, just a not a focus on the classical repertoire or classical variations. Check out the LINES Ballet Company itself (and the training of its company dancers) to get a feel for the nature of this program.</p>

<p>Yes, there are modern classes, but these are adjunct classes, not the primary focus of the program. Yes, a strict bun head would probably not be comfortable in this program, but a dancer without a strong classical ballet technique would not pass the audition. </p>

<p>In the LINES tradition, this program focuses on contemporary ballet, which in Alonzo King’s vision begins with a very strong classical ballet foundation and then expands and/or stretches and explores the boundaries of those classical lines and movements.</p>

<p>The program is relatively small, and thus quite selective. The target size for the classes are 15-18 students per grade level. Last year’s freshman class was more like 20; the incoming freshman class, I understand, is more in keeping with the original numbers. The current rising senior and rising junior classes are much smaller.</p>

<p>This program is a type of ‘niche’ program and by that I mean that it will appeal to a certain type dancer—it is not a general program. The AD has told me that the students that apply to this BFA program typically are also looking at Fordham/Ailey, Juilliard, and NYU. Those are the type dancer demographics this program appeals to versus, say, Butler, Indiana University, Southern Methodist, Texas Christian, Utah and other classical programs.</p>

<p>One of the primary attrition factors in the current rising junior class was that the in-coming students hadn’t done their homework in terms of researching the program itself. Many were looking for a more classical program, i.e., one that would prepare them for entry to a traditional classical company (not really the program or focus at the Lines BFA), others were looking for a more modern program and were not happy with the amount of classical ballet that is inherent in the program. As a consequence, many did not return for their sophomore year.</p>

<p>Attendance at the SI, while by no means required, is a good way to really get a feel and an understanding of the nature and approach to dance this program provides. </p>

<p>Although the audition for the BFA program does not usually include pointe work, make no mistake that the program itself does require an advanced proficiency in pointe work.</p>

<p>Now, admission and participation in the non-university affiliated LINES Ballet Training Program (a full-time post-grad training program) does NOT require pointe work–although there are opportunities for those who desire it.</p>