Choices for Pursuing Dance after High School

If you are interested in a career in dance, there are two routes of study you can choose after high school: take class at a conservatory or company school or find a college or university program.

In a conservatory-style or pre-professional school you will focus on intense training to become a professional dancer. You will take dance classes everyday in different dance styles and you will have the opportunity to perform in concerts; your academic work often is scheduled around your dance training needs. The training is physically demanding and requires dedication and talent.

If you are interested in studying dance to become a performer when you finish high school, you should investigate the pre-professional programs and conservatories around the United States. Many ballet and modern dance companies have a training school that is affiliated with their company. You may also find some pre-professional training schools that are independent of a company but that have a good placement record for their graduates.

In a college or university program, in addition to taking dance classes, choreographing and performing, you will have the opportunity to take other dance-related classes such as dance history, criticism, education, kinesiology and notation. These classes train you for careers in teaching, writing and arts management in addition to performance and creation. In a university or college setting, you will have the opportunity to study other subjects that interest you so that when you graduate you have more options. Find out more about how to choose a college dance program here.

If you are interested in pursuing dance at the college or university level, check out Dance Magazine's website for information on their higher education dance directory, or see the list of links on our Education Affiliates member page. It is important that you research a number of college programs so you can be sure that the one you choose fits your needs.

Other options for persuing dance after college include taking classes at various studios with a variety of teachers and auditioning for companies. If you have seen a dance company that intrigues you, visit their website to find out more about the organization or the style of dance. Reading the biographies of company dancers is a great way to find out more about how a professional dancer gets to be where they are. Often the company will have an education and outreach program directed toward high school dancers, or you may discover that the company hosts intensive dancer-training workshops for the pre-professional dancer. For a listing of a variety of dance companies across the country, check out our member companies page.

Other resources:
American Harlequin Corporation, a Dance/USA member that manufactures dance floorings, has generously created a scholarship program for dancers between age 15 and 21. For more information go to: www.harlequinfloors.com/american/scholarship.html