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Sylvani
Student
Palo Alto, California
2
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Updated
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What are the best colleges for dance programs that actually lead to professional dance careers?
Many colleges and universities offer dance programs, but not all are consistent at leading to a dance career that pays the bills. Is there a list somewhere of good programs and their rate of graduates getting hired?
#dance #dance-education #ballet #performing-arts #art #college
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2 answers
Tracy Singer
Choreographer and Director, Actor, Singer, Amateur Seamstress
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New York, New York
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Tracy’s Answer
The first thing I suggest is looking up some of your favorite dancers/dance companies and see where they attended/where their dancers attended. you'll often see a pattern with companies hiring dancers that went to the same programs.
That having been said, some of the best Dance programs in the country are at North Carolina School of the Arts, Butler University, (Indianapolis, IN), and University of Utah (for Ballet). Sara Lawrence College has a great program if you're interested in choreography, and they're 30 minutes from NYC, giving you ample opportunity to come take class in the City and audition, as well.
Knowing what specific genre you're interested in would be helpful in giving you more guidance for this.
Start by looking at companies you want to dance with or dancers whose technique you aspire to. Find out where they studied. I think that's a great stepping off point.
Merde!
That having been said, some of the best Dance programs in the country are at North Carolina School of the Arts, Butler University, (Indianapolis, IN), and University of Utah (for Ballet). Sara Lawrence College has a great program if you're interested in choreography, and they're 30 minutes from NYC, giving you ample opportunity to come take class in the City and audition, as well.
Knowing what specific genre you're interested in would be helpful in giving you more guidance for this.
Start by looking at companies you want to dance with or dancers whose technique you aspire to. Find out where they studied. I think that's a great stepping off point.
Merde!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Sylvani,
Kickstarting Your Dance Career
Embarking on a dance career can be a thrilling journey, and a key stepping stone is enrolling in a top-notch college or university program. While dance programs abound, only a select few consistently pave the way to professional success. Here, we present a curated list of the best colleges and universities with dance programs that have a proven record of launching successful dance careers.
Juilliard School
Nestled in the heart of New York City, the Juilliard School stands as one of the world's most esteemed performing arts schools. Its dance program is known for its intensive curriculum, with a keen focus on classical ballet and contemporary techniques. Juilliard alumni have carved out successful careers as dancers, choreographers, and teachers in various professional arenas.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA's Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance adopts an interdisciplinary approach to dance education. Students have the liberty to select from a range of concentrations, including choreography, performance, dance studies, and community arts. The dance program at UCLA is well-connected with numerous professional companies in Los Angeles, offering students valuable networking prospects.
New York University (NYU)
NYU's Tisch School of the Arts provides both a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in dance. The curriculum balances technique and creative process, encouraging students to delve into various dance genres and styles. NYU's robust alumni network can be a powerful asset for job placement post-graduation.
The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University's Department of Dance presents a comprehensive undergraduate and graduate program in dance. The curriculum encompasses courses in modern dance technique, ballet, choreography, dance history, and somatics. Ohio State's dance program boasts a strong history of placing graduates in professional dance companies and other related fields.
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington's Jacobs School of Music offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Ballet and Jazz with an Outside Field. The curriculum fuses intensive dance training with academic coursework in areas like music, theater, or business. This interdisciplinary approach equips students for a range of career paths within the dance industry.
University of South Florida (USF)
USF's School of Theatre and Dance provides a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Dance Studies. The program champions versatility, offering students comprehensive training in various dance styles and techniques. USF's dance program also maintains connections with numerous professional companies in the Tampa Bay area and beyond.
Guides to Dance Programs Leading to Professional Careers
While this list offers a glimpse into reputable colleges and universities for a dance career, it's crucial to delve deeper into each institution to ensure it aligns with your career aspirations and interests. Here are some extra resources for discovering dance programs that lead to professional opportunities:
Dance/USA’s College Guide: This guide provides details about various college and university dance programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD). You can search for programs based on specific criteria such as location, degree type, and specializations.
National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD): NASD accredits numerous dance programs across the United States. Accreditation signifies that the program adheres to specific standards set by the organization. You can search for accredited programs on their website: NASD Accredited Dance Programs
May God bless your journey!
James Constantine Frangos.
Kickstarting Your Dance Career
Embarking on a dance career can be a thrilling journey, and a key stepping stone is enrolling in a top-notch college or university program. While dance programs abound, only a select few consistently pave the way to professional success. Here, we present a curated list of the best colleges and universities with dance programs that have a proven record of launching successful dance careers.
Juilliard School
Nestled in the heart of New York City, the Juilliard School stands as one of the world's most esteemed performing arts schools. Its dance program is known for its intensive curriculum, with a keen focus on classical ballet and contemporary techniques. Juilliard alumni have carved out successful careers as dancers, choreographers, and teachers in various professional arenas.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA's Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance adopts an interdisciplinary approach to dance education. Students have the liberty to select from a range of concentrations, including choreography, performance, dance studies, and community arts. The dance program at UCLA is well-connected with numerous professional companies in Los Angeles, offering students valuable networking prospects.
New York University (NYU)
NYU's Tisch School of the Arts provides both a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in dance. The curriculum balances technique and creative process, encouraging students to delve into various dance genres and styles. NYU's robust alumni network can be a powerful asset for job placement post-graduation.
The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University's Department of Dance presents a comprehensive undergraduate and graduate program in dance. The curriculum encompasses courses in modern dance technique, ballet, choreography, dance history, and somatics. Ohio State's dance program boasts a strong history of placing graduates in professional dance companies and other related fields.
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington's Jacobs School of Music offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Ballet and Jazz with an Outside Field. The curriculum fuses intensive dance training with academic coursework in areas like music, theater, or business. This interdisciplinary approach equips students for a range of career paths within the dance industry.
University of South Florida (USF)
USF's School of Theatre and Dance provides a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Dance Studies. The program champions versatility, offering students comprehensive training in various dance styles and techniques. USF's dance program also maintains connections with numerous professional companies in the Tampa Bay area and beyond.
Guides to Dance Programs Leading to Professional Careers
While this list offers a glimpse into reputable colleges and universities for a dance career, it's crucial to delve deeper into each institution to ensure it aligns with your career aspirations and interests. Here are some extra resources for discovering dance programs that lead to professional opportunities:
Dance/USA’s College Guide: This guide provides details about various college and university dance programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD). You can search for programs based on specific criteria such as location, degree type, and specializations.
National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD): NASD accredits numerous dance programs across the United States. Accreditation signifies that the program adheres to specific standards set by the organization. You can search for accredited programs on their website: NASD Accredited Dance Programs
May God bless your journey!
James Constantine Frangos.