Dancing in College

How did auditions go? You got into the program! That is awesome, I knew you would do it! The next step is to move in and have an amazing four years of dancing.

"Letter to a Future Dance Major", an article Melanie Bales and Rebecca Nettl-Fiol wrote to give advice to freshman dance majors. I went through this article and high lighted items that I found was important for freshman  who are continuing their dance journey.

Do not be nervous on your first day of dance; professors know that some incoming dancers are unsure about certain dance techniques and styles. I was worried that I would unable do modern. But dance professors know that the dancers are here to learn and grow. Do not be afraid of trying new styles; broadening your styles and becoming more versatile will help you in the future. But also this will help with "1) selct the type of dance program that most closely aligns with your interests, and 2) fully immerse yourself in the experiences and courses the program offers." Like I said before when I researched different schools I made sure that they offered all styles that I was taught under also do full out in every class/audition.

In college for dance you will experience and learn so much. A dance program will include history and theory, improvisation and composition, dance science and kinesiology, pedagogy, somatics or body-mind disciplines, and dance and technology. With these courses you will be asked to perform, create, teach, write and engage in discussions. This program will give you a deeper perspective of dance. Here at my school we offer all these courses and I cannot wait to learn more about technology, teaching and grow in my technique.

College programs recommend:

• See live dance whenever you can. I was able to see Shaping Sound with my mom and it was amazing and got me excited to achieve my goals. We also have the opportunity to have guest artists perform for us and it is great to see different styles.
• Familiarize yourself with 20th century choreographers. I learned in my intro to dance class and modern class about different choreographers and their style of dancing.
• Familiarize yourself with contemporary choreographers whose works you have seen and liked. I came from the convention/competition side of dance and loved all the choreographers I was taught under. Also many of those choreographers are on So You Think You Can Dance and I always watch their pieces.
• Take classes in as many styles as you can. In my school we have ballet, modern and jazz as technique courses. When you get higher in levels you learn different styles such as hip hop, and contemporary jazz. Also when we have dance theatre where juniors and seniors are able to choreograph in any style; there was modern, contemporary, hip hop even tap!

"Studying dance in college is a rewarding and enriching endeavor. But you can enhance your experience by arriving well prepared and conversant about the dance field."

You will have a great time in college and remember to keep on dancing!

Audition Time!!

The most nerve racking thing a dancer deals with.... Auditions! But don't be nervous, I know you have great technique and have been practicing non stop so you can fulfill your dreams. But lets go over a few things just make sure you are ready!

Each college is different in what they want to see at their audition. Make sure when you apply that you see what is needed and what type of audition will be given. Rachel Zar in her article "So You Think You Can Get Into College?" discussed with students, and directors of departments about different audition styles.

Little Things

Like said before, make sure research is done about what the audition will be like and what will be needed. After applying the school will send a confirmation letter or email which will explain further information about the audition day. What will be in the letter is the audition day, what the day will include and what the dancer should bring with them. There is a possibility that you made need head shots; with those make sure that they are a nice photo of you and that it is recent. If you want to bring an action shot make sure it is technically correct.

Some requirements that may be needed is possibly a dance resume: include past performances, who you were taught under and any information that is needed but keep it simple and to the point. When seeing what type of classes that will be offered during the audition make sure that you have the right shoes packed. When picking out an outfit make sure it is clean and tight to the body so it shows off lines and does not give off the sloppy look. For my audition at Slippery Rock they mentioned in the letter that I must have on pink tights, black leotard and hair pulled back in a bun since we will be doing ballet and modern.

Expect the Unexpected

At some auditions you may be filmed; this might be normal and not nerve wracking for some but for Alison Koroly when she auditioned for Indiana University they videotaped and when she saw the video camera she got really nervous. Do not be afraid and just do what you know, dancing is second nature to you. At Butler University, Alison actually auditioned during a normal ballet class with the current dance majors. Alison was uncomfortable at first but once class started she realized "It was actually nice, because I got to see if I would fit in."

Show Them What You've Got

At some colleges you made need to have a solo prepared. DO NOT do a solo outside of your comfort zone; showcase your skills and your abilities that you are great at. Make sure you rehearse months ahead so you know your solo like the back of your hand. But do make sure that you follow the rules of the college about their time limit. Have a friend and/or dance teacher watch your solo so they can give you feed back.

You're Not Done Yet

At some colleges you may have an improvisation section as part of the audition. I understand that many dancers do not like to improvise but just do you, and follow the rules that the professor/director asks to see. "If you are confident, let your individuality shine through and have fun..." You also may have an interview with the department; here are some questions that might be asked: "Why do you want to go to this school? Why are you passionate about dance? And why have you chosen an academic institution instead of a conservatory?" Don't be nervous just be you!

Auditioning by Video

This type of audition is different but usually it is for students who are unable to make it to audition dates. If you do send in a video for your audition look up the requirements from the school. Also make sure you edit the video to make it look professional, from Heather Guthrie the dance coordinator at Southern Methodist University she tells "you would not believe how many people will just walk out of a final position while the tape is still running and they don't edit it out.". But do not take this chance to send in a video to get away from the audition, it is best to come in and dance for the department.

 

 

Good luck at your auditions! If you are going somewhere and need some tips or have questions just comment below, I'll help you out! Remember to keep on dancing!



Research Time!

Did you decide to go to college for a dance degree? You did!! Yay that is awesome! The next step is to do some research! Lets get started.

Like I said before when I decided I wanted to go to college for dance I received this book:

 

With this book I looked up the different schools and made sure that they offered all styles of dance. From there I went to my laptop and started to look up all of the schools and see if they meet my credentials and I also checked to see where the school is located. I ended up with four choices, Slippery Rock University, Western Michigan University, a college in South Carolina and Idaho.

 

While talking to my parents about discussing location I realized Pennsylvania and Michigan are the best choices from my home in Ohio. According to Katie Langan, chair of dance department of Marymount Manhattan College, "visit the campus, watch classes, see a performance and talk to current students" is how a dance student should "shop" for college.

 

Let's follow Ms. Langan's list and go through what to do. Like most perspective students, the first thing to do is visit the school and get the opportunity to walk around campus. But for a dancer just seeing the campus does not help because usually tour guides do not discuss the dance department thoroughly. But what I did was email the head of the department to meet with them and have the opportunity to discuss the program. When I emailed the head of Slippery Rock Dance Department, Ursula Payne, she replied back willing to meet with me but also told me to go view a performance.

 

My mom and I took a day to travel to Slippery Rock where we attended a performance, they were performing for the local school and they mentioned what each performance was about and that helped me see what SRU offered. I saw a musical theatre number, world dance style and modern/contemporary. Afterwards I met a professor of the department who took us on a little tour and walked us to Ursula's office. There I meet with Ursula to discuss the program, she then took us to see the different studios and my luck a class was in a studio. After that  I went onto the campus tour in which I ran into a dance major who recognized me from her class I watched. She talked to us and helped me get the student side of the department. I also met with the director at Western Michigan but Slippery Rock was my first choice and knew I belonged at that school.

 

Next step is to audition for the department. Keep an eye out for that post. If you have any questions about researching for the best dance program comment below and I'll help you. Remember to keep on dancing.

No Idea What to Do?

Are you still unsure about either going to college or to go professional?

In another article "I Have No Idea What I Want to Do After High School?" Ashley Rivers interviews 5 dancers who either went to college to get their degree in dance or went professional out of high school.

Meredith Webster: Alonzo King LINES Ballet company member

She had the idea in her head that she will be getting a contract for a company straight out of high school but in her senior year she did a couple of auditions and got nothing. Instead she enrolled at Pacific Northwest Ballet in the professional training program; but her parents had a good head on their shoulders. They said that the only way they will support her is if she enrolls in college too. Webster enrolled with one class every quarter at the University of Washington. At first she was unsure about this whole college thing but after a while she really enjoyed going to class; so she decided to become a full time student. Webster did continue dancing by performing with her Modern teacher's company. Webster says "the broader your experience is in the world, the more you can bring to you work. I had experiences through the university that I wouldn't have had if I'd gone straight from high school to wearing pink tights all day every day."

Taylor Ackerman: Commerical dancer

"School would always be there if I wanted to go back." is what Taylor told herself and her mom when she decided to go to L.A. after high school. During Taylor's senior year she took online courses so she was able to focus on her dancing career. After that she booked a job as a dancer in the ABC Family movie "Lovestruck: The Musical" and worked as a waitress at night to support herself financially. During the day she did auditions; "you have to pay your dues in L.A. by showing your face at a lot of auditions and classes." Ackerman herself believes she has a head start which may be true but still had to work hard to get where she is in the business. She had little jobs here and there but nothing that was consistent. Yes showing up at all auditions and classes will help people recognize your face but having the connection of someone remember seeing you dance and determined at a school is different. Plus with having connections they help you find jobs.

Corina Gill: Boston Ballet corps de ballet member

For Corina her parents knew she had to go to college no exception. She decided to become a dance major at University of California, Irvine. At UC Irvine she made connections that helped her get the job at Boston Ballet. If asked if she could go back and not go to college Gill would reply back with no, "college rounded out my dance education as well as my academic education." She was exposed to different styles, people and ways of learning.

Johnny McMillan: Hubbard Street Dance Chicago company member

Johnny with many of his friends auditioned for different schools and got accepted at The Boston Conservatory with a scholarship. He attended Interlochen Arts Academy a boarding school for the arts in Michigan where he experienced "dorm" life. McMillan was ready to be a professional. During the summer he attended Hubbard Street's summer intensive where he was offered a spot as an apprentice in the second company. Instead of going to college he kept his job and felt he got his foot in the door early. McMillan felt he grew as a dancer in the company and he learned the business side of dance.

Gwynedd Vetter-Drusch: NYC-based freelance artist

Out of high school Gwynedd was accepted to Bard College but she felt that her dancing span was running short. She was able to defer from college to train at Ellison Ballet and inter at Pointe magazine. She got the chance to join Tulsa Ballet's second company which she took and got deferred another year from Bard, then got the chance to join Gelsey Kirkland Studio Company. This was the end of the line from Bard, the school told Gwynedd "choose between the scholarship and the dance company." Gwynedd took the job but she knows that a degree is in her future, she is "going to make it a priority before I have a family of my own."

As you can tell there are different stories of people being successful whether going to college or becoming professional out of high school. Your story can be similar or different. After reading this article I found that I made the best choice as to going to college and getting my dance degree and it will help me succeed in my future.

Hopefully this discussion helps you make a decision of what you want to do. If you are still unsure about anything comment below any questions you have and I will get back to you! Next time I will help you research for the best dance program. Remember to keep on dancing!

Video

I made a video for my class to help prove my point that dancing in college and getting a degree is beneficial than going professional straight out of high school. In this video I was able to interview the director of Slippery Rock Dance Department Ursula Payne, senior dance major Tori Muellauer and two freshman dance majors Kylie Criswell and Aly Van Almsick. This video is to help you view the college side of dancing and answer some questions that you might be pondering.

Again, if you have any questions just comment below and I will get back to you! I will be going more into detail about these questions in upcoming posts. Remember to keep on dancing!

Myth #6

This is the final myth that most dancers have concerns about when deciding to go to college.

Myth #6: "A dance degree is pointless."

This myth honestly offended me, it was very rude. As a dancer you show commitment, that you are disciplined and performance driven with the ability to pick up new styles. Lee Buoy says "Dancers are some of the smartest people on the planet. We're problem solvers."  I know many people, myself being one of them, that would get offended if someone made fun of my major or being a dancer. This is rude because why are you questioning someone about doing something that they love for the rest of their lives. Do not believe this myth! Go out there and get your degree. Succeed in your dreams and show everyone what you are made of, that you are not afraid of being you.

 

Michael Telvin says "a dance degree isn't a limitation, but a launching pad." Do not let anyone tell you that your dreams are pointless.

If you have any other concerns about dancing in college please feel free to comment and I will answer. Next post will be examples of professional dancers who went to college or went professional out of high school. Remember to keep on dancing!

Myth #5

This next myth I feel is the biggest concern on most dancers minds when deciding to go to college.

Myth: #5 "College means setting aside professional goals for four years."

From Michael Telvin, a dance professor from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, he mentions that at his school students who are in their junior/senior year are able to intern at a professional company where they will be able to take class and learn about professional lifestyle. Telvin also mentions that students who go to their internship are sometimes offered trainee/company positions. Back to Kathryn Van Yahres, a student at Point Park University was able to do what Telvin was talking about. During her sophomore year she got accepted to dance with the Huntsville Ballet Company in Alabama. She said "The school was totally behind me taking the job and they gave me credit for all the hours I worked." Colleges are here to help you achieve your goal; they agree with you getting a professional job if you are offered. They are fine with you taking a semester or a year off and coming back to finish your degree.

At college, professors bring in guest artists that you are able to make connections that will be valuable in the long run. But also especially here at Slippery Rock there are different summer intensives advertised around the dance studio to help us continue dancing during the summer and get ourselves out there in the world.

I mentioned this before that I was worried that if I went to college I would be behind then those who have been out there when I graduated from high school. But when I realized that having a college degree and experiencing the college aspect is a better choice for me to start my career instead of going in cold.  Also in college you get the chance to take different styles of dancing and improve in technique and performance! At Slippery Rock we have dance ensembles that learn pieces, perform them at concerts/performances also outside school events such as traveling to New York, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. Making and having connections with those who are in the system and have done it all is beneficial then just going out there and hoping for the best.

College is here to help fulfill your professional goals. Dancing in college makes you stronger in the dance world with technique and knowing different details such as being a stage manager, cutting music,  and creating a dance with costumes.

Any questions or comments feel free to comment below. The last myth is will be posted soon, keep an eye out for it. Remember to keep on dancing!

Myths #2, #3, and #4

Still unsure about dancing in college? Well lets continue discussing the next three myths about dancing in college and clear up any questions.
 
Myth #2: "You can't be on the dance team and in the dance department."

Well this one just gave me shock that people think that they are unable to be apart of the dance team when they are in school for dance. Why would the department refuse dancers the opportunity to dance? Here at Slippery Rock University we have two dance teams that is connected with the dance department. Dance Express consists of all dance majors and Jam Rock has dance majors/minors and others who wanted to continue on performing in college on a dance team.

Myth #3: "You'll gain the 'freshman 15.'"

That is a curse and a scare for incoming freshman that are going to college. You are away from home, no restrictions on limit of food at the cafeteria and also down time to have a snack. I was worried that I would gain weight here at school but between classes and rehearsals all week I was able to watch what I ate. In between dance classes we have a half hour sometimes my friends and I would go to the dining hall to get some food or we just walk to our next class and eat a snack there and get ready. Plus as dancers we are able to know what is good for our body before class or rehearsal, that we should not eat a big meal that might hinder our dancing. My friends and I always joke when classes are done and we walk to lunch it is like a reward for the 4.5 hour dance class we had that day. Honestly I feel I gained the freshman 15 but I gained 15 pounds of muscle from classes! Do not worry about gaining the freshman 15, be cautious as to how much you eat but like I said before dancers know what is best for their body.

Myth #4: "College programs are a last resort for dancers who couldn't get company contracts after high school."

For me I do not believe this (anymore), I was naive in my junior year until I figured out that a college degree is beneficial for my future. I actually do not know many people who have received company contracts after high school. When I was in the competition/convention world I knew many amazing dancers who would always get scholarships to go to L.A. and take classes at the top dance studio but never get a contract after going. Rivers in her article mentions that "this rumor is beyond outdated." Also that many "companies require the kind of versatility and maturity you'll learn in a college program." I had an interview with the head of the dance department here at Slippery Rock, Ursula Payne, and she mentioned that in today's society having a college degree always helps students get jobs in the future. Also with an interview with my friend who is a senior dance major Tori Muellauer she mentions that she wanted to get a degree in dance because she felt that she was not there in her dance training she wanted to get better to help her career. Overall just know that you always grow as a dancer, you are never at your best, you get better everyday that you work.

To conclude all the information:

• Continue dancing; usually dance teams are apart of the dance department. Plus you will get opportunities to perform in the department
• You know as a dancer what to and not to eat. Be prepared to become stronger and in shape.
• Dancing in college helps you grow as a dancer; become more versatile and quick on your feet for auditions.

Any questions comment below. Two more myths coming up soon. Remember to keep on dancing!

Myths about dancing in college

Kathryn Van Yahres had an interview with Ashley Rivers for Dance Spirit Magazine where they discussed about Kathryn's decision with dancing in college. "She'd (Yahres) heard that college dance programs were fallbacks for dancers not good enough to get jobs right out of high school." Yahres auditioned for colleges out of parents insistence; Point Park University was the lucky choice that she decided to go to and get her degree.

Through out this interview they go through six myths of dancing in college and got additional information from outside sources. This post is myth one of six and I will be going on in other posts over the other five.

MYTH #1: "College programs focus on modern dance and modern dance alone"

Lee Buoy from Marymount  Manhattan College discusses that his school offers both modern and ballet technique classes. He was worried that the school he decides to go to will just have the dancers "rolling on the floor and never taking ballet". Many colleges are known for certain styles of dancing that is their specialization; such as Butler University and Indiana University are known for their ballet program according to Michel Tevlin, a dance professor at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Personally when I was a junior in high school I came up the idea of not going to college and just going out to L.A. and see where it takes me. I felt that if I went to college I would be four years behind those that was out there when I graduated. But after talking to many professional choreographers, my dance team coach and my parents they changed my mind and I decided to go to college. I also worried that I would not be able to handle modern, that it was the weird style of dancing but after taking two semesters it is not that bad and I feel stronger. At one of my conventions there was a talk time to discuss about dancing in college and they offered this book.

 

This book helped me see what each school offers from different styles, number of graduates, number of people in the major and scholarships. This book helped me narrow my choices of Slippery Rock University and Western Michigan University.

 

Look out for the next five myths on the blog and remember to keep on dancing!

Introduction

Hello everyone my name is Alyssa George and this is my blog. I am a freshman dance major at Slippery Rock University and I love it here. My goal for the future is to dance professionally and own my own company. I have been dancing since I was 3 years old, I was trained under the styles of ballet, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre, pointe, jazz, hip hop, and tap. I have also been apart of the competition scene for 10 years, I was able to take classes at conventions from many different professional choreographers. It was in my sophomore year of high school when I decided that I want to continue dancing and make it my career.

As a dancer the problem is our span of dancing is limited but I believe that if you want to perform professional then also have the opportunity to continue dancing afterwards getting a college degree is beneficial for you in the long run. I will be updating information about any questions and information that you may have about dancing in college. I will also be adding my own personal experience towards subjects. If you have any questions feel free to comment and I will reply in the best way possible! Remember keep on dancing and living your dream!