Choices: College/Company Decision making

[BalletNutter]

I'm sure you have already exhausted this topic but I am a relatively new member so please bear with me. Just what is the current thinking on whether to pursue a dance degree in college before trying to embark on a performing career? Is it helpful? Does it hinder a career? I'm hearing both sides. Some say yes; others say no -- get out there right after high school and get into a company.

 

If, as a parent, you are encouraging your dancer to pursue a college degree first, can the student indeed improve enough in college to get a job with a company? Is that a critical time to be dancing with a company? Or are they "over the hill" by the time they graduate from college?

 

Do companies really hire dancers out of college?

 

I'd appreciate any advice you can give -- parents, teachers, ADs, et al.

[Hans]

My advice would be to go for a career and try to fit in college while performing professionally. Every now and then, a ballet company will hire a dancer out of college, but it is still rare. From the point of view of finding/keeping employment, a college degree won't matter, but if one wants to be well-rounded as an artist (not to mention as a person!) I think it's best to continue one's education as much as possible.

 

As far as whether or not it's possible to improve enough in college to get professional employment, a great deal depends on the college, and there are very few that can offer professional-quality training.

 

In terms of the ideal dancer-development (which as with many ideals occurs rarely), I'd imagine that ages 18-20 or even 22 should be a transitional period of continuing to learn about ballet history, the technical aspects of theatre, studying mime, &c, &c, &c, but companies usually do not see it this way and prefer younger dancers (if female--men are, as usual, a different story).

[Victoria Leigh]

Ballet Nutter, there is no definitive answer on this. It has to be dealt with on a case by case basis. Some students are ready for companies when they finish high school, and some are not. If they are not, then the options are continued study, perhaps as a trainee for a company, or in an intensive professional school program, or, go to college and continue studying, either in a college dance program or in a college that is in a city where there is excellent training.

 

Our feeling is that if the student is ready to dance, or close enough to receive a trainee or apprentice position, then she should do it. College can be deferred and can always be done later. Ballet cannot. However, if not ready, and there is a valid potential that a couple of years of study will make a major difference, then the choice would be to attend college and study dance at the same time. This can be done in either of the two ways listed above. While it might not be too late after graduating from college, if the chance is there to do it earlier, that is preferrable. A dancers' career is not that long, and the sooner they start it, the better.

[BalletNutter]

How do you know if your dancer has "valid potential" and might benefit from a few more years of training in a college program. Who tells you this? Your home dance school, your last summer intensive program before college or someone else? Do the companies actually tell you (I'm assuming if you've auditioned and not made it into the company, this might be a possibility)?

[Funny Face]

I have to disagree with the idea of trying to fit in college while performing professionally. I tried this years ago and found I could not do justice to either by combining them. I ended up wasting a lot of money and effort by having to drop classes midway because it became too much. I also passed on some performing experiences at times in order to fit in exams or other important events. I actually did love both experiences -- but it was just frustrating trying to blend the two. If I did it over, I would have opted to perform first, and then put myself completely into the degree, which is what I am doing so many years later. I think it's a better use of one's time and less stressful. Each experience can then be completely focused on and given the attention and work that it deserves.

 

And while you're performing, you can certainly keep on reading and being apprised of what's going on in the world. You can go to museums and galleries and symphonies.

 

That's my take.

[Hans]

I should have been clearer--I wouldn't try college full-time with a performing career either--that would just be too much. I meant part-time, one or two classes/semester.

[Victoria Leigh]

BalletNutter, by the last couple of years of high school, and especailly the last year, there should certainly be some major input from her own school. Also the SI programs provide a lot of indication, such as scholarships, invitations to remain at the school, or, after graduation, a position offer as a trainee or apprentice. The last two summers should be at programs where she feels that there is a realistic potential for employment. Plus she should go to auditions during her senior year, if her teachers think she is technically ready.

[Mel Johnson]

In the last several years, there have been cooperative arrangements made between companies and colleges/universities (NYCB/Fordham being the prominent example) to provide higher education to dancers on a dancer-friendly schedule.

 

My own feeling about college is about the same as Hans' and Ms. Leigh's: Enroll in the University of the Real World's School of Hard Knocks if the student has the stuff to embark on a professional track after high school.

[Guest DancerMeg]

Hey, I need some help. I am currentlde debating on whether to go to college, or if I should join a comapny right after highschool..... any advice or stories??

[Victoria Leigh]

Hello DancerMeg, welcome to Ballet Talk for Dancers

 

Your question is not one we can answer for you, as that is a not only a big decision, but one based on whether you will be company ready when you graduate, and if you can get a job with a company or not. In general, we feel that if a dancer is company material, and company ready or almost ready, then they should go for it, even if it means a finishing year or two in a company based school or trainee program. Most dancers today are also interested in education, and it's possible to take a course or two while continuing to study, and do the majority of your college work later. However, it's also possible to major in ballet in college and, if you are accepted to one of the better programs, you can receive good training and a lot of performing experience too, along with your education.

 

So, there are several roads to take, and you need to keep all of them open as long as possible until you reach that last year of school and find out whether you have a good chance of making a company or not.

[Hopefuldancer]

As far as dancing in a professional company, I have no personal experiences. However, as far as college goes I can share with you everything I know... I chose to go to college and study dance as well as an area outside of dance for back up and as a definite future career. All I have to say is College dance life is very demanding (and satisfying!!).. This past semester, I had 2-3 classes a day. I would have to carry all of my dance gear to my academic classes because they were usually sandwiched in between dance (one professor bugged me about carrying airport luggage around!!). And then there is the performing. It depends on what college you go to, I guess.. but where I am choreographers treat you like a professional. Basically, the teachers at my college are not "easy going". I had one who came and yelled at me in the middle of a full dressing room for being two inches off of a spot. She didn't stop until I broke down and told her I was stupid.

 

Sometimes rehearsels would go over so much that I wouldn't have time to eat (Thank goodness our school has take out meals!) Sometimes I wouldn't get to eat dinner until 10:00! After rehearsels or my last class, I would come back to my dorm and take a 2 hour nap. Then I would get up and study or do homework until 2 or 3 am.

 

College dancers have as hard of a life as a pro... or harder

[Swanilda]

I went to college and graduated. I knew I wasn't good enough yet for a company when I graduated high school (partially because I just wasn't, but I had also had a lot of injuries). I have now been a member of 3 different companies (on number 4 at the moment), and I don't regret my decision. I doubt I'd be dancing professionally now without the training I got then. However, one thing to look at that does not get mentioned often enough....if you know for an absolute fact that you want to dance for a ballet company and are able to get into one pre-college as an apprentice/trainee....be aware that once you are finished college (4 years older, with more technique and knowledge, feeling that you have completed your training and are ready to be treated as an adult in the professional world)...for those companies you will still probably be up for apprentice/trainee positions. I was lucky enough that I was able to get a company position right away (though in a small company), but I have seen numerous girls who were very surprised and disheartened by finding this out later on. Just yet another thought to consider!

[Victoria Leigh]

Yes, Swanilda, that is a valid point. Being an apprentice, or especially trainee, at 18 or 19 is way different than having to do that at 22! Since many companies today seem to want to put almost all new members into one of those two areas before moving them into full contracts, it is something to consider in terms of college first versus further training in a program that could get you into an entrance-type position sooner.

[ddm3]

This is something of concern to me as my dd is in college and plans to stay the 4 years. We do not know what her future holds. Is this the right decision for her? Not 100% sure. However, I do know of 5 or 6 girls who auditioned this year at age 20 and 21. All of them procured full company corps positions. So, some do skip the trainee/apprentice level. Who knows how things will be in 4 years?

[balletbooster]

Because this topic was originally posted on a teen forum, but has several responses from posters who are not in this age group (all providing good insight and information), I've moved it to the Career General Discussion forum, where everyone is free to participate in the discussion.