a magical scene with a castle, bright starts, and two dancers in the middle

Indiana University Removes Offensive Caricatures in New Productions of The Nutcracker and La Bayadère

How can we honor and preserve history without repeating the same mistakes over and over? How can we reimagine classics to center a variety of voices and speak to diverse audiences—not simply to avoid offending anyone, but to actively invite and include everyone? How can we propel the dances we know into a new era, so they—and ballet—can flourish into the future?

What To Do If You Start Second-Guessing Your Dance Degree

The start of a college dance program can be filled with excitement. But when the novelty wears off and the workload grows, doubts can begin to creep in. Am I good enough to make it as a dance major? Is a dance degree worth it? Is this really what I want to do with my […]

How to Feel Confident When Committing to a College Dance Program

You might think that applying to colleges is the most stressful part of the application process. But some students find that the pressure is heightened once acceptance letters start rolling in. Making a decision about which program to choose doesn’t have to feel daunting—you just need to follow a few practical steps. Important Factors to […]

What To Look For in a College Ballet Program

Can’t choose between college and a professional ballet career? It’s possible to have both! (Four artistic directors told us so.) But this path comes with extra challenges. The university you choose can make all the difference. So how do you find the right program? Gillian Murphy guest coaching at University of North Carolina School of […]

What Directors Really Think of Ballet Dancers Going To College

In the ballet world, the phrase “going to college” is sometimes regarded as the musings of a dancer who’s not really serious about their craft. Although schools like Juilliard and Bennington College have made degrees acceptable for modern dancers for decades, the competitive ballet world (which often follows a philosophy of “the younger the better”) […]

The 100 Best Performing Arts Programs: Who Made the Cut?

When I was in high school, I visited the college counselor’s office with other students to talk about what we wanted to major in. One by one, she asked us about our plans. “Teaching? Great, here’s a list of top programs nearby.” “Engineering? Fantastic, check out these resources.” “Dance?” Cue, the chirping crickets. (Thankfully, my […]