San Jose State

[2llori]

Does anyone know anything about the dance program at San Jose State? And can you take classes as a minor or non-major? Thanks!

[Taradriver]

DD has applied for admission to San Jose State. They have a dance major and a minor. More info can be found at:

 

http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/catalog/departments/MUDA.html

 

You can also access the SJSU home page from here. One of the nice things about SJSU is that it is very close in proximity to the School of the San Jose Ballet, should supplemental classes be desired.

[2llori]

DD has applied for admission to San Jose State. They have a dance major and a minor. More info can be found at:

 

http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/catalog/departments/MUDA.html

 

You can also access the SJSU home page from here. One of the nice things about SJSU is that it is very close in proximity to the School of the San Jose Ballet, should supplemental classes be desired.

 

Is their focus more ballet or modern? Thanks for the response!

[Taradriver]

Well, it actually looks like you can choose your primary focus, although you have to have 2 other forms to a lesser degree. I copied this part out of the catalog:

 

BA - Dance

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Course Requirements

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(snip)

Minimum of one technique class daily required each semester at SJSU (new students will audition for placement in various technique classes. Level I is prerequisite if unable to perform at Level II or higher in Modern, Ballet, or Jazz).

Concentrated Areas of Technique 18

Primary Area (Level IIa or III) 8

Secondary Area (Level IIa or III) 6

Third Area (Level II or IIa or III) 4

Additional Technique 2

DANC 049A or DANC 049B (1) and DANC 153 (1)

 

 

This being said, I have no idea what the level of instruction is as far as ballet goes. We plan to visit at some point and hopefully observe a few classes. An old course schedule lists Ballet III on Monday-Wednesday-Friday, barely enough to maintain and certainly not enough to get better, IMHO. DD applied anyway, knowing she will most likely take supplemental classes nearby if she should attend.

[ballet1612]

San Jose State has a good program that is mostly modern based. Gary Masters is an amazing teacher for Limon technique. He actually danced with the Limon company for many years. There are also some other good modern teachers as well as jazz teachers. The ballet is so so. Some semesters they have people come in to teach. I know Andre Reyes formerly of SFB taught there for a little while I'm not sure if if he has the past few semesters. If I was double majoring in something or just minoring I would consider going there, but not for just the dance department. Outside classes are hard to take, but yes you can take at nearby studios. You definietly need a car if you want to do that, I would not take public transport. The campus is nice, but I personally don't feel it is the safest part of town. Most students commute. I would also consider San Francisco State University which I have also attended. Hope this helps.

[Taradriver]

I have a son currently at SJSU and have taken graduate classes there, non-dance classes. Campus IS nice but is not in the best area of town, this is true. As for public transit, our entire family has used the light rail system to get downtown and have had no problems. Regarding the current ballet level at SJSU, it is probably best to call the department and find out who is teaching, also see if you can observe classes.