For Harvard grad and professional ballerina, Liz Walker, school and dance were always separate. In high school, she studied at a private, all-girls school by day and trained at American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School by night. At the same time she was auditioning for professional companies, she was applying to colleges. But when […]
For many non-dancers, planning a post–high-school gap year can feel like a necessary step toward getting college-ready. For potential dance majors, though, taking a year off between high school and college might sound counterintuitive. After all, you’re essentially delaying your entry into dancing professionally. But a gap year can provide helpful experience, training, or personal […]
July 1 marks an exciting new era for The Juilliard School. Vail Dance Festival director and former New York City Ballet principal Damian Woetzel steps into the role of president, and the dance division will also have a new leader: Alicia Graf Mack, 39, will take over from Taryn Kaschock Russell, acting artistic director for […]
Even if you’ve choreographed tons in high school, having your work seen—and critiqued—by professors and peers for the first time can be more than a little intimidating. So DS asked those who’ve been there how you can feel confident and creative throughout your first collegiate choreographic experience. Getting Started Chances are, the first dance you’ll […]
If you want to go far with dance after college, head to your university’s career services office early and often. “We try to see all first-years during their first semester,” says Faith McClellan, director of Field Work Term and career development at Bennington College in Bennington, VT. “That’s when you should ask the big questions: […]
Of the many moving parts of a college application, the essay might be the most daunting. But consider yourself luckier than other applicants, because your dance experiences can only help you craft a winning essay—whether or not you’re planning to pursue a dance major. If You’re Going to Major If you’re gunning for a highly […]
Considering a dance degree to build on your competition experiences? DS caught up with comp-circuit stars who chose higher ed to learn the advantages of transitioning from comp kid to college kid. Ability to Pick Up New Genres “Because I’d been exposed to so many different genres—hip hop, theater, contemporary, and ballet—I was able to […]
Applying for a college dance program can feel like a guessing game. Should you highlight all your competition titles and awards? How important are your academic grades? And how should you act in the audition? Here’s advice from admissions officers from some of the top dance programs in the country about how to make your […]