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6 Of The Most Important Things to Keep In Mind When Choosing The Best College Dance Program For You

Calling all dancers: choosing the right college dance program for you sometimes seems impossible, so, how do we make it feel... possible?

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6 Of The Most Important Things to Keep In Mind When Choosing The Best College Dance Program For You
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Dance programs across the nation are very different. There are so many factors to consider and so many expectations to meet. You have audition after audition on top of your already busy rehearsal and training schedule back home. It may seem like you know what to look out for when visiting programs and networking yourself, meeting with various students and faculty. But how do you really know? And what are you really looking for anyway?

There are a lot of outside voices that influence this decision of yours. They're the same voices that contributed to your dance career thus far. It can get overwhelming, especially now because you don't know who to listen to. You find yourself becoming incredibly lost in a process that is meant to help you find future dancer self.

There are things that these voices don't tell you, some non-transparent things that no one really advertises when it comes to deciding on a dance program. These factors, these not so obvious things, however, are more important than most aspiring dancers realize. I've been through this process before, I've been in the exact same position you're in right now. And these are some things I wish someone told me about earlier because they are some of the most important factors that will subconsciously affect your decision at the end of the day. So just listen, listen to what I have to say from one dancer to another.

1. The double major

Some dance programs are a conservatory and have a more specialized program strictly for aspiring artists. Others require a liberal arts curriculum with general academics woven in between dance related classes and coursework. At some more competitive and conservatory styled programs, there aren't as many opportunities to explore other majors outside of the arts.
For those who are looking to pursue an additional degree that's completely outside of the dance major, a liberal arts-based program might be better for you. These types of programs are more flexible in terms of credit hours and taking classes that are not just solely related to dance. In fact, these programs will most likely require you to take general classes like economics and biology. While some careers definitely overlap more than others, these liberal arts-based programs make it possible for you to receive a degree in pretty much any other major you can imagine.

Now, for those who want to really focus on and enhance their training, a conservatory program might be better for you. Be prepared. You will be dancing constantly going from ballet, to modern, to pilates, to pointe. You might not have the exposure to other academic subject areas that you had in high school. Some dancers go to a conservatory for this reason. They just want to focus on their training instead of wasting time taking academic classes that won't benefit their career. Others don't go to a conservatory for this reason. They want that to pursue that additional degree to fall back on in case a professional career doesn't work out for them. They want to still have that typical college experience. You just have to know what level of academic rigor you prefer. However, a conservatory program is strongly recommended for those who want to professionally perform after college as the intensity of their course requirements and daily schedule is a mere image of the rigor that exists within the professional dance world.

This decision to pursue a double major or not comes down to one thing: prioritizing what you want to pursue career-wise. I decided that I personally valued academic rigor and discovered that there was another major I was very much passionate about what I wanted to pursue just as much as dance. So I chose a program where the double major was more than possible. Now, you might have something different in mind and that's totally okay. Dance itself is full of an infinite amount of careers. Just know that this decision of pursuing a double major or not will heavily factor into your journey of finding the perfect dance program for not only the dancer you currently are but also the dancer and person you aspire to be years from now.

2. Creating your own work

Senior dance majors at Elon University are currently in the process of presenting their own work for their senior thesis production: Concept XII.

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Before committing to a certain college dance program, it's important to consider whether or not this program invites artistry. Some programs require choreography courses as part of the major. In these courses, students learn various choreographic tools, present their work at the end of the semester and get feedback from professors. Other programs don't require this type of class and instead only encourage student choreography in student lead productions. When visiting schools and auditioning, ask about what's offered to students in terms of choreographic experiences.
It's also important to consider whether or not choreography is something you want to explore. For me, I felt restricted in my training before entering college. I didn't feel as though I had many opportunities to set my own work and challenge myself to create pieces and figure out my identity as a choreographer.

Choreography goes hand in hand with performing. Perhaps in some cases, it's maybe even more important than the performance itself. If you don't have powerful choreography that engages an audience and inspires them to think differently about various concepts, then you really don't have a performance at all. This was exactly why I wanted a college program that would stimulate my interest and curiosity in creating work of my own.

Choreographing is a technique of its own and is not something you can just learn in your regular technique classes. This was something that excited me personally when being in a college dance program. I finally was given the opportunity to create art that outlives me, to potentially someday inspire audiences across the nation. If you're reading this and getting excited just thinking about creating your own movement and exploring what it means to be a choreographer, then go for it, find a college dance program that will let you do exactly that.

3. Guest artists

The Contemporary Ballet Company, Complexions, has set work on various university dance programs.

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Oftentimes, universities bring in artists from across the nation, to set work on their students for various dance performances. With this, it's important to do some research of your own. When deciding on a college dance program, look at who the program has previous invited as a guest artist. Is this a choreographer associated with a company you love? Is this a choreographer whose movement is completely insane and you want to learn? Is this even a choreographer whose name you recognize?
The type of guest artist a university dance program hires says something about their program. It exemplifies what type of company/movement they prioritize or want their students to be exposed to. And in a way, it's an inevitable opportunity for them to network for you.

Unfortunately, I didn't look into guest artists prior to deciding on the dance program for me. I really wish I did because it would have made my decision much easier. I did know, however, that I wanted a program that invites artists particularly from contemporary companies. After seeing the Shaping Sound Dance Company, I knew that was the type of work I wanted to explore and do more of in the future. The way the company told a powerful story with their elegant movement was beyond inspiring. Don't be afraid to find this, to find what type of professional work inspires you. Once you find it, do your research and ask about guest artists, so you end up in a program that gives you the opportunity to work with a company that excites you. And who knows, maybe just maybe, you'll be on tour with a guest artist you worked with years ago while training in college.

4. Alumni

Dance majors go on to be Rockettes, Broadway ensemble members, dancers for major companies, and more.

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While this factor may be more obvious than others, it's something that some dancers overlook. Looking into what alumni have graduated from the program and what they're doing now, is for your own benefit. It's not to understand the reputation of the school or to compare it to more prestigious programs.
Think about networking. You need to look into the alumni to understand what companies, choreographers, and performers your university might have connections to for future internships, dance intensives and eventually a professional career. Have the alumni gone on to be Rockettes? Have they gone to PT school after completing their undergrad? Did they become writers for Dance Magazine? Are they teachers who travel around the world teaching at some of the most renown dance conventions? While this might help you narrow down your passion in terms of a career in this industry, it might also help you find that one program that will shape you into the artist you hope to become someday.

5. Physical therapy

I cannot express enough how important free access to physical therapy is for college dance majors. No matter what type of program you're in, you will be dancing A LOT. Sometimes a lot more than you realize. Injuries are so much more common than it used to be. And now, you're all on your own. When going back to auditions, interviews, and tours, be sure to ask about what the program can offer you in terms of health, fitness, cross-training, and of course physical therapy. Being able to immediately see an athletic trainer for heat, ice and even just exercises to stretch certain muscle groups is essential for you and your future career. You cannot afford to get injured right now, especially when it's techweek and you have a six show weekend right around the corner.

6. Your niche

Every dancer is different. You will find where you belong.

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When auditioning, pay close attention to the movements the professors are having you do. Are you comfortable? Are you being challenged? This is more important than you may realize because of how the program you choose is a reflection of the dancer you aspire to be. So don't be afraid to let yourself be vulnerable in these auditions. Don't be afraid to try to figure out if this is a program you could see yourself both dancing in and being successful in. You'll know when the movement and the program is right for you. You'll feel it. It's not tangible, sometimes it's not even something you can describe.

As cliche as it sounds, you absolutely have to follow your heart with a decision like this. Listen to yourself, listen to your own voice. This process will teach you a lot about yourself and what dance means to you. And at the end of the day, you know yourself better than anyone else. This includes who you are as a person, dancer, artist, performer, choreographer and soon to be college student.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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