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!