a large group of dancers and teacher gathered together for a group photo

Real-Deal Advice on Convention Scholarships

Many competitive dancers are eager to land coveted convention scholarships. But why are these awards so sought-after? How can dancers increase their odds of winning them—and who might they not be right for? The Scholarship Advantage One of the largest benefits to convention scholarships is perhap­s the most obvious: financial relief. Attending conventions­ can be […]

Nina Flagg (in all black) leading a hip hop class to a large group of students in a studio. They extend their arms side while tapping their right foot out

A Dancer’s Guide to Navigating Your First-Ever Intensive

Summer intensives offer endless opportunities—to fortify your training, to connect with teachers and other dancers, and to prepare for a professional career. But how do you know if you’re ready for your first intensive? And how can you prepare your mind and body for the physical rigor of dancing all day, every day, plus the […]

Students in class at Pace University. They stand in parallel passe with their arms in 1st

18 Pace University Grads Take the Stage in the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes

When graduates of Pace University’s commercial dance BFA walk across the stage at graduation, they have a cap, gown, and amazing eye-high kicks. That’s because of their curriculum’s focus on multiple styles of jazz, including the precision jazz made famous by the Radio City Rockettes. There is no formal relationship between Pace University and the […]

Margaret Jarvie competing on stage wearing a long-sleeved red leotard and performing an arabesque in plie

The Pros and Cons of Competing Independently

Most dancers who participate in competitions and conventions attend with a dance studio. But each year, a small group of soloists opt to go for it as independents, without a studio affiliation. There are plenty of benefits to this approach—as well as a few possible drawbacks. Before you sign up, consider what you’re willing to […]

Happy asian female tourist traveller with backpack walks in old city. Woman against backdrop of Hadrian's gate - popular attraction in old city of Antalya

A Day in the Life of 4 College Dance Majors

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 […]

a female dancer wearing a blue leotard jumping in the air against a dark backdrop

Making the College Application Process Accessible for Dancers

DTCB, part of the Brooklyn-based dance education organization Dancewave, is designed to make the labor-intensive, challenging process of applying to college dance programs as accessible as possible to a wide range of students. The program reduces some of the obstacles that make the college admissions process so stressful—and costly—for high schoolers and their families by directly connecting students with a number of college dance programs. For Mason, preparing to start as a freshman at Chapman University this fall, Dancewave helped to make the application process more personal. “My daughter didn’t get lost there,” says Sumpter of DTCB. “She felt seen.”

a blonde female instructor talking into a microphone while holding two fingers out in front of her while leading a group of young students

How to Handle Competing Against Your Studio Teammates

At dance competitions, participants from the same studio often end up not just performing alongside but also competing against each other in solos and group routines—all within the same weekend. The situation can be stressful, confusing, and awkward, particularly for younger dancers. But it doesn’t have to result in comparisons and tears.

a group of people putting their hands in the middle of a circle

How to Deal With Mid-Comp-Season Burnout

While full of excitement and fun, competitions are also mentally and physically taxing. It’s easy to find yourself run down after months of rehearsing and performing for hours on end every week. How can both teachers and dancers keep normal fatigue from turning into burnout? By recognizing the telltale signs and making small but meaningful changes.

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