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.

How to Avoid the “Summer Slump”: Enroll in a Summer Dance Program!

Summer is nearly here, which means that school will be out soon for the next several months. For parents, it’s important to keep your children learning and engaged all summer long so that they don’t fall prey to “summer learning loss”, which is cumulative over time and can actually increase drop-out rates. Yikes!

The great news is that enrolling your child in a few summer activities can help keep their brains learning and growing for that period of several months without formal educational support. While academically-minded parents might automatically push students toward more traditional educational activities like science or space camps, arts and music can have a very positive effect on cognitive abilities as well.

Music has been shown to help children create greater cognitive skills, achieve higher grades in school, and even boost creativity. Music lessons are a great option, but if you’re looking for an activity that will also help keep children physically fit, consider dance lessons or a dance camp. Dance incorporates music in a physical-learning environment, which means your child will get all the benefits of being exposed to music while keeping their bodies and minds healthy. 

There is a range of options when it comes to dance classes or dance camps from one-hour lessons to camps that provide overnight lodging. Although each family’s needs are different, children will reap the benefits of incorporating dance into his or her summer plans.

                                             

Karen's School Of Dance

Looking Back on Some of the Greats!

Over the last several decades, the popularity of dance has grown as it continues to be recognized as a way to improve one’s self-expression, health, and communication. Read on to learn about some of the most iconic dancers of the last century.

Shirley Temple

Shirley Temple was born in Santa Monica, California, on April 23, 1928. As a child, Shirley Temple began to take dance steps almost as soon as she began to walk. Naturally, her mother took her to dancing school when she was about three and a half years old, where she formed the foundation of her skillset. 

She became an internationally popular American child star of the 1930s, as well as Hollywood’s greatest box-office attraction of the time at the age of seven appearing in sentimental musicals. Shirley Temple was a favorite of many and truly a household name.

In recognition of her acting career and public service performed as an adult, the Screen Actors Guild presented Shirley with a lifetime achievement award in 2005.

Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire, originally named Frederick Austerlitz (born May 10, 1899, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S), was an American dancer of stage and motion pictures who is best known for a number of highly successful musical comedy films in which he starred with Ginger Rogers. He is regarded by many as the greatest popular dancer of all time.

The magnitude of his success is a great social phenomenon, as his popularity made dancing more respectable in a country with a Puritan heritage. He quickly became a national symbol with his flashing feet and fantastic stage presence. This not only made him America's most popular dancer, but it also set standards for motion picture musical comedies that arguably have rarely been met.

Ginger Rogers

Ginger Rogers (born Virginia Katherine McMath; July 16, 1911 – April 25, 1995) was an American actress, dancer, and singer. She was known for acting in dance films in which she was partnered with Fred Astaire as well as appearing in successful stage productions. She also gained popularity through radio and television programs throughout much of the 20th century.

Ginger Rogers’ popularity grew intensely once she began partnering with Fred Astaire. As a team, Fred and Ginger made nine musical films worldwide, and by some are considered the most famous dancing duo of all time. Not only were they featured on the silver screen with their impeccable dance moves, but they were dazzling audiences with their unique routines of extraordinary stature. These routines were performed with music especially composed for Fred and Ginger by some of the greatest and most popular composers of that time period.

Gregory Hines

Gregory Oliver Hines, commonly known as Gregory Hines (born Feb. 14, 1946, New York, N.Y., U.S.—died Aug. 9, 2003, Los Angeles, Calif.), was an American tap dancer, actor, and choreographer who was a major figure in the revitalization of tap dancing in the late 20th century.

Hines’ humility and charisma were only part of what made him such a legendary tapper, and a truly iconic role model for tappers today.

Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze was born August 18th, 1952, in Houston, Texas. After college, he left school to tour with the Disney on Parade ice show.

Patrick Swayze was known for dancing in fluid motion, being light on his feet and exuding unique style. Although classically trained as a ballet professional, it was Swayze’s style that inspired a generation to let loose and really move freely. Swayze’s signature form of dance was a combination of several types, and served as a form of expressive movement. He starred in the film “Dirty Dancing”, which was and still remains wildly popular for dancers worldwide.