Choosing the Right College Dance Program

Many devoted students of dance are making the decision to continue the study of dance at a collegiate level. High school students who are interested should do some soul searching and ask themselves many questions before taking a leap of faith and selecting a college or university dance program. Dancers, ask yourselves the following things to get yourself on the right track for your future in dance:

1) What is your end goal once college is finished? Would you like to dance for a professional company, become a choreographer, or own a dance studio? Do you see yourself being an instructor at a studio, or even a professor at a university? Different dance programs offer different opportunities. Research which schools have the tools you are looking for.

2) Where do you want to live? Do you want to attend college in-state, or are you willing to make the move out of state to pursue your dreams? Many dancers flock to cities famous for dance such as New York City or Los Angeles however there may be an amazing dance program at a college near you! Teachers at your home dance studio can be a great resource for insight on schools that could be closer to your home town than you may realize.

3) What style would you like to specialize in? Are you a strong a contemporary dancer who’d like to fine tune your creative talents? Are you seeking a program that is versatile in which you can study an array of styles including tap, hip hop, and African jazz? Different schools are known for different strengths, so it’s a good idea to look into what each program focuses on.

4) Do you want to join a competitive dance team? Not every school has a dance team that competes however most have one if not multiple opportunities to perform. From university companies, to collegiate dance teams, to intramural dance programs, be sure to research all of your options.

As dance becomes more and more popular among young people, the opportunities continue to accrue.  There are so many amazing places dance can take you, so just be sure to seek out what will be the right fit for you! The sky is the limit, dancers.