Despite all the hours young dancers spend in the studio, for many coming out of high school, the idea of dance as an academic discipline—an intellectual as much as a physical pursuit—can be unfamiliar, even mysterious. What do college dance programs actually require? What do students’ days look like? A college’s faculty, size, location, and […]

For many dancers, the right college path is a mixed one, where dance is one component in a combination of majors and minors. It’s a choice that allows them to explore diverse interests, discover unexpected intersections, and deepen their engagement and mastery on multiple fronts.

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 […]