Which College Dance Concentration is Right For You?
The decision to attend college for dance is incredibly individualized, and not necessarily right for every dancer. For dancers training pre-professionally, it’s common to forgo college and head straight to a professional career. Some dancers decide to pursue a degree in a completely different field while dancing professionally. But for many, a college dance degree can serve as an essential stepping stone on the way to your career goals.
As a Junior in high school, I remember agonizing over the decision of whether to attend college or begin pursuing my professional career. My instructor encouraged me to audition for companies, knowing I was ready technically. But I didn’t feel ready emotionally. Ultimately I decided that attending college felt like the right move for me at the time.
When people think of a college dance degree, they’re most likely picturing a performance track (that’s all I knew about when I was in high school!). But did you know there are multiple concentrations you can focus on, depending on your career goals? Today, we’re going to break down four of the most common!
If you dream of seeing your name in lights:
Look for a school that has a strong Performance track. This is the most common type of dance major and there are many wonderful programs, depending on what style of dancing you want to do. The best school for you will vary based on the style of dancing you are focused on (ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, musical theatre, etc.) - but ultimately you should be looking for a program that gives you plenty of opportunity to hone your technique and performance skills.
Depending on the program, you will most likely take supplemental classes in improvisation, choreography, music, dance history, costuming, and pedagogy. If you have a secondary passion that you hope to pursue concurrently or after your performance career, look for a school that has a strong concentration in this specific area. However, the main focus of your major will be on dance technique and performance.
Often this will be a program offering a Bachelor of Fine Arts (as opposed to a Bachelor of Arts). A BFA is a more intense performance track and is often in a conservatory setting, meaning you may not have the “traditional” college experience. However, a BA can also give you the experience necessary to pursue a professional career while allowing for more balance and the option to double major (if you so desire). Ultimately, it is important to assess your career goals after graduation and choose the path that works best for you.
If you want to nurture the next generation of dancers:
A Pedagogy track is ideal. All too often it is assumed that because someone had a prolific dance career, they will be a stellar teacher. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case. On the flip side, I know plenty of amazing teachers who did not have their own professional performance career. The art of teaching is its own specialty.
A college dance program with a focus on pedagogy will teach you how to manage a classroom, develop age and skill-level-appropriate lesson plans, improvise and choreograph, and other skills you need to excel as an instructor. If you want to teach at the collegiate level, you will most likely need to pursue your Master of Fine Arts. But with a Bachelor’s degree, you will have the skills to freelance as a guest instructor, teach at a local academy, or even open your own studio!
If you want to run the show behind the scenes:
A degree in Arts Administration will prepare you for management positions in the art world. You’ll learn practical business skills essential in the private, public, and non-profit sectors such as Marketing, Fundraising, Financial Management, Leadership, Research, and Advocacy. With a degree in Arts Admin, you can contribute your knowledge to the dance world as a Company Manager, Executive Director, Grant writer, Fundraising Chair, or any number of management positions! If you want to remain a part of the dance world without ever stepping foot on stage, this could be the path for you!
Even if you don’t see yourself working in Arts Admin specifically, business skills are essential for any dancer. As a dancer (especially if you want to freelance), you are truly an entrepreneur. You have to present a professional package, communicate effectively, build a network, and advocate for yourself. If feasible, a business minor or double major is also a wonderful choice for dancers that can open many options down the line.
If you have a passion for health and wellness:
Look into schools that offer a concentration in Kinesiology for dance majors. In addition to your dance classes, you will also have courses such as Anatomy, Physiology, and Exercise Science. A degree in kinesiology is often pursued as a prerequisite to Physical Therapy or Dance Therapy. It also sets a dancer up for a career as a Pilates Instructor or Personal trainer. (Even if you choose not to take your medical training further, the knowledge you gain of how the body works is invaluable for a dancer or instructor.)
As dancers, we have such a unique understanding of the body and the demands of a dance career and can truly offer a unique perspective in the medical field. To explore the field of dance medicine further, the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science and Doctors for Dancers are great resources!
Ultimately, college is a large commitment of your finances, time, and energy. It is not the right choice for everyone, but if you don’t feel prepared to take on a professional career based on the training you have received up to this point, or you are still uncertain about what you want out of your career, it can be a wonderful next step.
On a personal note: I ended up graduating from college in three years. I started out double majoring in Dance and Exercise Science, so I was taking the maximum amount of credits per semester (plus summer classes!). After two years, I decided I was ready to take on the so-called “real world”. After assessing my transcripts, I realized I had enough credits to graduate in three years with my Dance Major. I chose to drop my Exercise Science major with the understanding that I could always come back to it later, but that my years as a dancer were limited.
It’s important to remember that no path is ever final. I have colleagues who started attending college but didn’t finish their degrees because they were offered a contract and have gone on to have stellar dance careers. I also have colleagues who switched colleges after a year because their focus changed or who went back to get their Masters or Doctorate later in their career to open up more options.
Your options are truly limitless. What is right for someone else may not be right for you. Do your research, keep your options fluid, and stay true to your goals and career objectives!
If you have been struggling with this decision, or want to learn more about your options, I highly recommend you check out The College Dance Decision mini course - a course designed to help Dancers take stock of what they really want after high school, develop a plan (and a backup plan!) toward achieving their goals and provide actionable advice to connect and unite with parents to bring their dreams to life.
Meet the Author
Caitlin Sloan is a Dance Educator and Career Mentor based in Madison, WI.
Caitlin received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Grand Valley State University and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Missouri.
She danced professionally for nine years with companies including Ballet Tucson and Missouri Contemporary Ballet (now Mareck Dance). Caitlin has taught at schools all over the Midwest, most notably serving as Director of The School of Missouri Contemporary Ballet and Youth Company Director for Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. She is currently on faculty at the School of Madison Ballet.
Caitlin founded The Brainy Ballerina® in 2019, a virtual resource providing support and guidance for aspiring ballet dancers. Follow @thebrainyballerina on Instagram for your daily dose of dance career guidance and inspiration.
