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15 Ways To Prepare For Your First Year As A College Dance Major

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  • Your last… dance studio… recital.
  • Senior prom.
  • Graduation ceremonies.
  • Goodbyes to friends and eventually your family as you part ways.

Oh gosh, I remember it all vividly and that was hmnphy years ago!

And, though these moments arrived in a flash and seem to go by at a speed you can barely grasp, you will have these memories too. You’ll hold onto them forever. They will be with you as you take what is probably your first big step into adulthood…

College Freshman.

(That’s a first-year student at Uni, British friends.)

If dance is going to be your major field of study, I’m thrilled for you. It is a wonderful time of dance immersion that is unlike anything that comes before and unlike anything to happen after.

As you plan your next steps toward your future in college dance, I want to help prepare you for the incredible changes to come. So, I’ve come up with a fun little list of ways to get ready for your first year in a university dance program that I’m calling, what else?…

The Freshman Fifteen

 

The Dance Majors Freshman Fifteen

1. See live dance.

If you do nothing else before you become a dance major, see live dance as much as you can. In fact, do it before you even start planning your steps toward a career in dance. I realize this is easier in some locations than others but make the effort. And while The Nutcracker is great, seeing the same one year after year still just counts as ONE. See companies of different types and sizes. Go to things that challenge your understanding of dance and dare not to compare them to everything else you’ve seen or danced. Just take them in.

2. Watch videos.

The next best thing to live are performances preserved by camera. Maybe you’ve lost hours at a time hopping between competition videos on YouTube. Now try the skip and jump to professional artists or historical works that can be discovered there or in other archives like Vimeo. Have you seen the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Interactive library? A-MA-ZING. Also stay on the lookout for local cinema screenings and check dance title listings on Netflix, iTunes, Hulu, Amazon, and good old PBS!

3. Explore dance history.

There are some fantastic books available for those wanting to read a little bit about the history of dance. While looking into any era of dance is beneficial, try working backward by starting with influential choreographers of the 20th century.

Dance Advantage has articles on dance history and historical figures you may find informative. These books (available at Amazon) provide an overview of Western dance history:

4. Review proper technique and terminology.

Reading up on the how-to and what-is of dance is just as beneficial as tripping through its history. We’ve got articles on dance technique and terminology of dance for you. Plus, here are some useful book recommendations:

5. Read dance reviews

This is an excellent way to learn about current artists and to see how others analyze, write, and talk about dance – all things you’ll be doing in a college dance program.

6. Seek understanding of the dance world.

The five to-dos above will collectively tell you something about the dance world. In addition, ask thoughtful questions of the professionals you know or to whom you have access via teachers or even social media, and investigate the variety of careers available to and pursued by degreed dancers.

7. Maintain healthy habits.

Learn how to take responsibility for your body – how you fuel it, how you treat it, and how you take care of it. Start doing it ASAP.

8. Go outside the studio.

Occasionally teachers and studio owners get nervous when I talk about students taking class from someone else but at some point you must take the reigns when it comes to your dance education. There’s no time like the present. My suggestion, if you have established good training and habits at a home studio, is to start looking for classes entirely outside of the studio environment – not because studios aren’t a good environment but because expanding your sphere of knowledge and connections is valuable to your dancing and for your future career. Look for open classes when you travel and check local universities or academies for open master classes, intensives, workshops.

9. Dance in the moment.

As you look for opportunities to dance and learn in new environments, you may run across the chance to try an improvisational dance jam or contact improv class. Just do it. (Here are some improv tips) Fellow improvisors are usually pretty welcoming making these a safe place to hone your skill.

10. Perform.

You may feel you perform enough, especially if you’re in a studio company or on a competitive team. But seek out alternative performance opps in dance or other disciplines like theatre, music, color guard, poetry readings…  You’ll learn a lot about the art of performing wherever your interests and talents take you.

11. Take on teaching.

Observe or assist your dance teachers whenever possible and take on leadership positions in other activities. Even if you aren’t planning to open a studio one day or are not convinced you’ll make a good teacher, you WILL use these skills someday.

12. Got music?

Speaking of gaining skills you will use as a professional dancer or pro-in-training, develop your understanding of music and musical theory. Do you know the basics like note values and rhythm, meter or time signature? Have you been exposed to music from a variety of genres and cultures? Make time to listen to music of all kinds.

13. Speak in public.

Take advantage of public speaking opportunities. Acting classes, scripture readings at church, club/class officer speeches, running a study group, even thanking your teachers or presenting a gift at your dance recital are all possibilities.

14. Write often and well.

Develop your writing skills in and outside of school. Practice writing every day – blogging, journaling, or creative writing are great ways to do that. Keep a dance journal.

15. Investigate non-dance interests.

If you’re still in high school, take it seriously. If you’re no longer in school, explore topics and interests that have nothing to do with dance. Everything you study will help you become a better dancer!

What Freshman Dance Majors Need To KnowEntering a college dance program soon?

If you found the insight and advice above valuable, let me provide even more help as you actually make your transition to college with the e-book, What Freshman Dance Majors Need To Know.

The time following your high school graduation is perfect to really start thinking about how you’ll manage the significant changes you’ll experience during the semesters ahead and get answers to the questions you may not even know you have about what dance is like at the college level.

This resource covers everything from what to expect, to how to stay healthy–and more. Give as a graduation gift or get it for yourself–you’ll be glad you did!
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