Creighton University

[Taradriver]

Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska now offers ballet as a co-major (it used to be a minor). Have visted the campus with one of my daughters, who was accepted there as an Education major. Jewel of a campus and an excellent academic reputation. If anyone has any info about the ballet program, would love to hear about it! Because Ballet is offered as a co-major only, I do not get the impression the program is geared toward producing professional dancers, however. Would be a good fit maybe for those DK's that still have to dance yet also want to major in something else.

 

They have a website and sorry, I can't do links!

 

www.creighton.edu

 

Don't let the tuition scare you, they were most generous in their offer to my daughter (whose grades were ok but not stellar). Admissions rep for my area was a doll.

[Dance_Scholar_London]

Is a co-major the same as a double-major? Or is a co-major more like a certificate + a major in another field?

[Taradriver]

Is a co-major the same as a double-major? Or is a co-major more like a certificate + a major in another field?

 

I asked the admissions rep today about that. She said it was a minor; the web site says co-major. So, you'd have to major in something else as well. Here's a quote from their website:

 

"The Dance Department at Creighton University focuses primarily on ballet and is supported by modern, jazz and tap. The study of dance enhances a student’s liberal arts education twofold by learning more about that art form as well greater self awareness and increased physicality. The faculty are dedicated teachers who foster an encouraging and nurturing approach through example, discussion and advising. Students are also regularly exposed to guest teachers and choreographers."

 

The dance department coordinator is an RAD (London) Graded Vocational Examiner and Registered Teacher.

 

Creighton has a wonderful academic reputation. If the dance program is a good one, this may be a good fit for someone not planning a pro career but still needing to dance. Creighton also has Medical, Dental, Law and Pharmacy Schools.

 

I hope someone out there knows something about the dance program!

[Taradriver]

Update - Have been in touch with the director of the dance program at Creighton. She says there are students dancing 5 days a week, ballet focused, via university classes and taking her separate RAD classes (non-university) daily, also. That's 2 dance classes a day. They offer jazz, tap, modern in addition to ballet. The director said the program is essentially what you make it; some students have gone on to auditon for companies. Placement class determines your level, audition for scholarship only. DD was invited to visit and take a few classes, which I find to be a most generous offer.

 

For the DK who seriously loves ballet but has other career plans, this may be a fine choice. Really lovely campus, surrounded by urban Omaha. Gorgeous performing arts center. I visited a couple of years ago with my middle daughter.

[Dance_Scholar_London]

Do you know the level of the RAD classes? Is this off-campus in a private studio or is it still part of the university but the classes are not for credit?

[visiting mom]

We lived in Omaha for years. The RAD (non-U) classes are held at Creighton. The ballet teachers in the non-U program are very good and the department has a great connection with the local modern dance community. In addition, a student could potentially walk to Omaha Theatre Ballet which has a wonderful school run on Russian syllabus (where DD trained early on).

Edited March 8, 2006 by visiting mom

[Taradriver]

Thanks, visitingmom! The Creighton catalogue also lists courses in ballet teacher preparation as part of the dance department. So this "co-major/minor" seems to have quite a bit to offer and dd is definitely interested.

 

Dance Scholar, the director said there are several students at the advanced levels at the university, although u-courses are not RAD. She is a graded vocational examiner herself.

[Taradriver]

Update: Creighton was very generous in their financial aid offer. Ballet continues to be a minor here. There is a Fine Arts Scholarship, too.

[twiga]

Any 2009 updates to this thread? Like the idea of strong academics + dancing lots; but not a midwesterner so do not know a lot about Creighton. Will check thier website.

Thanks

[edgart6]

I am a Creighton alumni. Sorry cannot tell you a lot about the dance program but can tell you about the school and acedemics. It is an urban school, close to downtown. Omaha is a nice, typical Midwest city- if you are use to eastern cities may not find a lot to do. Also, winters can be brutal but not as bad as say Minnesota. The campus is self contained and has a combination of older and newer dorms, a nice new theatre and a nice student center and gym. It is a big pre-professional track school- heavy on the sciences. It is a Jesuit school so heavy on the academics and liberal arts, you have to take philosophy and theology. They love their DI sports as well and have an active Greek scene and very active community service.

 

They have put a big effort into improving the campus and are still upgrading it.

[twiga]

thanks for the update

[JayBird]

I couldn't find any info on the website about auditions. Any information about how comempetive their program is, or what their audition process is like would be helpful, and much apppriciated!

[tutu2you]

Was looking at the Creighton website recently, and noticed that their academic information says that the University offers dance as a major now, or as a minor. However, from their summary of the program, it does not appear to be their goal to turn out performing artists. Here is what their overview states: The Dance Department at Creighton University focuses primarily on ballet and is supported by modern, jazz and tap. The study of dance enhances a student's liberal arts

education twofold by learning more about that art form as well greater self awareness and increased physicality. The faculty are dedicated teachers who foster an encouraging and nurturing approach through example, discussion and advising.

 

44 credit hours are required for the major, with only 10 hours of ballet technique required. Their website does say that an audition in required for the major, but it is unclear whether that occurs before admission to the program or afterwards.

[Taradriver]

Ask them. When dd checked out Creighton a few years ago, the woman in charge of the ballet program was very helpful.

[BalletMad]

The director of Creighton's program left after 8 yrs to accept a job teaching younger students in New Zealand after Spring 2010.

 

The advanced ballet classes are taught by two awesome adjunct professors on MWF. The intermediate classes are taught on those same days as well. There are also amazing jazz and tap classes taught Tu Th by a master teacher who is kind of running the dance program in the interim. There is a good modern program as well.

 

There are definitely dance majors there. There are good performance opportunities (Giselle at the moment and a spring concert later in the year - with roles based on seniority more than ability, but that seems acceptable and understood there) There are also dancers who will never be professionals who are in the program (more of these than the other) that will probably end up as teachers and promoters of dance, or who may do something else in their careers.

Edited October 17, 2010 by BalletMad