Dance Education and Career Options

There will come a time when a young dancer must decide which path to take in their chosen field after leaving High School. The options are quite varied these days. Performing is not the only one. Dance History, Dance Therapy,and Dance Education are just a few of several roads to choose from as an alterna-tive to the grind of auditioning, performing and touring. There are many universities that offer Dance as a major if college is decided. I come from a generational background of Teachers and Medical Practitioners so for me going to college had already been decided. If college becomes the course of action for a young dancer there are still many choices to make, in- cluding the type of program or degree to be pursued.

A Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts or even a two-year Certification Program are just a few choices placed on the table. Not all dancers are wholly desirous of a career in performing full-time yet still seek some involvement in the art form. Some desire to gain experience as a Choreographer right away, not just when they are injured or too old to dance. Dance Teaching and running a school can be an option so some may desire taking Business coures or maybe seek a Business Minor. Those seeking to concentrate on Performance or Composition more often than not would seek a school that offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Most programs such as these are pretty intense offering alot of performing oppurtunities as well as Lighting and other Technical experience. They will also require many hours of Technique classes in many styles with a focus on one particular style such as a Ballet major or Modern Dance major. Many comprehensive Dance classes such as Folk, Tap, or Ethnic will be added to the curriculum.

Some may decide to double major which isnt a bad idea but carries a heavy workload. At first I majored in Dance and English Literature and later switched to Dance and Broadcast Journalism. At first I enjoyed it. During that time I had to combine Technique classes, (as required in B.F.A. program), rehearsals, do local news on the college radio station as well as academic classes. At that time I was in Pittsburgh. That last-ed two semesters. The schedule was gruelling and I decided to transfer and seek my education at City College in Manhattan while apprenticing at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. It should be mentioned
that if a student is to move far from home for their education, there will be some emotional shifts going on while adjusting to a new location. Class load,
social dynamics and so much more need to be considered. Just be well prepared for this

Many young dancers may find they need to go right to New York and audition for jobs right out of High School. This was suggested to me by one of my teachers when I was a high school senior. Any dancer deciding to do this would do well to know exactly what type of work they are seeking, be it Concert Dance (Modern/Ballet Companies), Music Videos, or Broadway. A dancer is most employable having the ability to do all of the above. will give exposure to the teachers who may very well be the judges at the scholarship audition. If Concert Dance is sought, I would suggest inquiring if the company they wish to audition for has an adjacent school and audition for a scholarship. Before even doing that I suggest taking single classes to get familiar with the atmosphere. This will expose you to the teachers who may very well be the judges at the scholarship auditions.

If on the first audition the scholarship is not received, keep taking classes there as time and finances allow and audition again. Chances are real good for getting the scholarship at that time. Stay with the school and move the ranks toward apprenticing with the company. This is an ideal way of going about this. Rarely does a dancer just walk in, audition and get hired into a company at first run if there is a school of dancers to choose from. It can happen but it doesnt happen alot. How does a dancer support themselves during the transition periods before the Dance work comes in? Most Dance schools have Work Scholarships available "in house" from cleaning the studio facilities to receptionist work. Alot of dancers choose to wait tables. I did it for years and I dont recommend it. After takingclasses or rehearsing all day, running around waiting tables is mentally as well as physically taxing. It can chip away at one's armor. At some point something will start to breakdown be it the immune system or one's focus. Sometimes however..."you gotta do what you gotta do". It takes money to take classes, tights, shoes the list seems endless. Give this some thought, weight your options and decide.

I've seen some real horror stories of dancers getting injured thus totally ending their careers. In Pittsburgh I was a college freshman and working with the American Dance Ensemble. As a rule it is wise to warm up before taking class. I watched as a beautiful young Ballet dancer went to execute a move that included a difficult turn. All of us heard a "pop" as she fell to the ground. It was her knee that popped. Weeping, she was carried out. Although she did recover, she was no longer able to dancein pointe shoes. Fortunatley, after a long recuperation period she switched her major from Ballet to Jazz
to pursuedancing on Broadway. At that time Music Videos were just coming out and alot of work in New York and L.A .was availabe. She did just fine. As a first year student at the Alvin Ailey schools I met a dancer who stoodover 6'3". He popped his achilles tendon in a Modern dance class. It took him over a year to even walkwithout crutches. I think he had other health issues that slowed down his healing. I dont know what ever became of him.

Some might think this could never happen to them. Hopefully it wont, God forbid. If a dancer is careful, has a good foundation in training and takes care of
themselves, a long career can often be anticipated. It can happen. Eartha Kitt now in her seventies can still "work her thang" at the ballet barre. I saw an interview on her as she was stretching. Martha Graham didnt retire form performing until she was 64-65. Margot Fonteyn. Merce Cunningham.
It CAN be done.

Dance Therapy is a subject that doesnt seem to get much recognition. It is a very effective tool for one's emotional and spiritual growth and connection. The first Dance Therapy was done by our ancestors from any ethnic background. Around the fire, under full moons, amidst the elements, dancing was used to shift one conciousness. Go to any club in town and see it taking place. How many times has one released tension by themselves in their own home by turning up the music and dancing around the house.However there are structured theraputic environments where Dance Therapy is successfully employed. My exposure to Dance Therapy is limited. I once taught a class of kids in the late 90's. It was a SpecialEducation after school class. All 15 of them were diagnosed A.D.D. or A.D.H.D. and/or were all on some type of perscription drugs. I saw such amazing shifts take place in those classes. I was humbled. They were
brilliant teachers for me...all of them! Please take a look at a wonderful article in Associated Content by Nadia De Leon called "Inroduction to Dance Therapy". This article will inspire you if you have a heart to use your gift in a healing atmosphere and desire to witness deep change in those to whom you minister.

So. You see. There are a multitude of roads to choose from in this field. Even if one has started Dance classes later in life. I knew a woman who had gymnastic training as a child but was a Voice Major at Julliard. In her third year she switched from Opera to major in Dance. She had started her own
"Post Modern" Dance company last I heard. Whatever you decide, I hope this can shed a little light for you.

James C. Burgess