7 replies to this topic

[Happy_in_Md]

Does anyone have any direct experience with this school? A friend casually mentioned that her neices went there on very generous dance scholarships. I'd never heard of it. The website seems to indicate that "modern, jazz and ballet program are equally strong." I guess that could mean "equally bad" but I'm up for more information ... anybody?

[gogators]

When I used to live in "Jax" over 15 years ago, I remember Jacksonville U. was a small private college. I'm unsure if it's still small (and it was very small compared to the other surrounding colleges and universities nearby).

[Taradriver]

Maybe one of the mods can change the heading on this thread, as the name of the school is Jacksonville University. I visited their site, they have both a BFA and BA in dance, but not much info on the faculty. The dance program is accredited by the NASD.

[Happy_in_Md]

Thanks, Taradriver. Yes, I meant "Jacksonville" - and I fixed it now. Maybe the correct name will rustle up some replies. I did examine the website info but there wasn't much there.

[Taradriver]

Happy in Md - I agree, the web site isn't very informative. But there seems to be quite a bit of scholarship money there; financial aid is one of my first "stops" on a college website. The college doesn't sound very small any more, must have grown a bit as there appears to be a thriving Greek community.

[Happy_in_Md]

Okay, we got a DVD in today's mail. The program looks very modern. Of the four pieces on the video only one is ballet and it's not the best one. There's a snippet of a couple of students, too, and one insists on camera that the faculty will accomodate those who are "more ballet" or "more modern" ... but the finished pieces they chose to highlight the program (on the video) look like there is clearly a stronger emphasis on modern. To me. This, despite the heavy "classical ballet" background that seems to describe the faculty.

FWIW.

[Taradriver]

Maybe a visit to the school will help you sort it out. Talk to all the dance majors you can.

If a visit isn't in the offing, I have found emailing the department chairperson can be helpful. The fact that the ballet on the DVD wasn't terrific isn't necessarily the fault of the faculty. The quality of the student ballet dancers varies from year to year, especially in smaller programs. Modern could have had stronger students.

Still, you wonder why they would try to underwhelm you, eh?

[luvmiballerina]

Any current info on this program? Thanks!