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!