Good Dance Colleges?

Movement

Movement

New Member
I'm preparing to look at colleges and I want to be able to major in dance or go to a performing arts school. I've asked my dance teacher at school and she was helpful in telling me about some good local colleges and how some of them require an audition.

I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences especially those dance instructors out there. Like is ballroom offered at a higher level in college? I know a lot of colleges have a basic ballroom semester class. What dance experience would be good to have? Did you take it along with academic studies or was it purely working on dance technique?

And lastly how did you come to get a job for dancing. I've read about how some franchises hire people but I am also curious about how do you become an independant teacher. What are the benefits and cons of that? Sorry if this has been posted before but thank you in advance.
 
I'm at university now as a dance major, and while I didn't do very extensive research, I couldn't find a single college that offered a degree in dance with a partner dance emphasis. My professors here have confirmed that. From what I understand, if you want a degree in dance, it has to be ballet or modern.

When studying dance, you have to take extensive technique classes (for my school, it's at least two dancing-dance classes per term), theory (like improv, composition, etc), and dance history classes. Each institute has different requirements, so check in with the schools you are interested in. Be sure to make an appointment with an academic advisor from the Dance Department. That part is important - make an appointment because they're busy people, and don't just meet a Gen. Ed. advisor as they rarely are helpful when you have all the "basic" questions answered and want some details in your area of study.

I hope that helps a little, feel free to PM me if you like :)
 
AFAIK, Brigham Young is the only US school that has a major in ballroom. It is a Mormon school, so there are various restrictions like dress code.

I don't know anyone who's gone there as a ballroom student, but I've taught several students who graduated from their very good theatre department and, fwiw, they are some of the nicest people I know.
 
Actually, Utah Valley State College (also in Utah County), also has a ballroom dance major, and an excellent ballroom dance program overall. They alternate years at Blackpool with BYU.
Since it is so near to BYU, there is a similar culture, but it is not an LDS school, and thus no restrictions.

Also, I believe BYU-Idaho (formerly Ricks College) also now has a BA in ballroom dance.
 
Thanks! I'll definately be looking into those. I was also wondering how does one get accepted colleges maybe out of the US? Does other countries have more ballroom majors? How do you get accepted into those types of programs? Because I know my mom was once accepted into a culinary arts school way over in Europe. Kind of an extreme thought but I'm open to ideas.
 
I'm not sure about overseas programs, but I know both BYU and UVSC have audition processes for their teams, and I'm sure to be in the majors as well. Both schools have several levels of teams, and to be able to graduate in ballroom at BYU, you have to make it to the 2nd team to the top (that would be the "backup tour team"), at least, before you can graduate. Also, to get into BYU (period) you'd need stellar academic qualifications - I don't know what their average for accepted students is, but I suspect it's a 3.5 or higher.

UVSC is less demanding in both respects. I believe to complete the ballroom major there, one must take three years of progressively more difficult ballroom courses, of which team participation may be included, depending on your level. I don't recall a team participation being a requirement, however. (And I've never heard of anyone not getting into UVSC.)

I know that BYU at least has an audition based ballroom scholarship as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Dance Ads

Advertise on Dance Forums Reach dancers, teachers, studios, event organizers, and dance-friendly brands. View ad options
Back
Top