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Advanced Study in Dance |
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Arts Home |
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College Advisement Home |
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MKHS Home |
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Do You Want to Be a Dancer? |
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Age is more of a factor in the dance world than it is in the other performing arts. If you are now a sophomore in high school, be sure that you are taking regular dance classes, and performing as often as possible. |
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| * DECIDE if you should be a dancer |
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| * Choosing a Teacher |
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* Application Photographs |
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Dancers |
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* Dance Auditions |
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* Are you self-motivated regarding dance?
* Do you remember sequences of dance steps well?
* Are you self ?disciplined? Really!
* Is dance your Passion? Do you eat, drink, breathe and dream dance? Are you prepared to make the sacrifices necessary to make your passion to study dance a reality?
* Is there anything else you could pursue that would make you happy? (If you answer ;yest to this, you probably should consider not to follow a full-time dance program of study.)
* Do you have the body type suitable for further study in dance?
* Do you enjoy the physicality of dance?
* Have you auditioned for any competitive summer programs? For regional productions? * * What was the outcome?
* How many public performance have you done? How did you feel during the rehearsal stage? During the performance? Afterwards?
* Do you feel that you are musical or musically sensitive?
* What is the background of your teachers? |
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| * Ballet Auditioning Sheet |
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| * Modern Dance Auditioning Sheet |
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Choosing your teachers |
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It is important that you study with someone who will teach the best habits in your early development and teach you a solid technique. Here are some questions you might want to consider as you evaluate your teacher or in looking for a new teacher. |
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Where did the teacher go to school? |
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Did the teacher dance professionally? With what company? |
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Does the teacher talk about placement? |
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Does the teacher explain how to do an exercise as well as what to do? |
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Does the teacher give corrections? |
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Does the teacher stress turnout from the hips rather than from the knees or feet? |
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Are the dance classes focused towards learning a routine for a dance concert or recital, or is technique taught regularly? |
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Is injury prevention a concern? |
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Application Photographs |
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You most likely will be asked to submit a photograph or yourself in dance attire with you application. It is recommended that your photograph is full length in either color or black and white. Some schools specify the exact position they would like to see you in, and you should follow their directions exactly. If specific instructions are not given, the photograph(s) submitted should show you in a flattering pose or dance position, in appropriate dance clothing. A photo taken during a performance is fine. |
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Dance Auditions |
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Follow all the directions upon arriving, be early, and wear your name tag. You should be aware that more and more dance auditions are being videotaped for reference, and you should ignore the camera. Adjudicators may have your file and photos with them and compare to see that you really do look like your photograph. |
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During the audition, be sure to listen carefully, and follow directions precisely. Perform the material the way it is asked for, even if it is unfamiliar, and be sure to apply any corrections given to the class in general to yourself. |
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Most major auditions for dance programs are held in January through March, with possible late auditions in. May. If possible, try not to make your first audition at your first choice school. Make sure that you have plenty of time for preparation. |
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What to wear |
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Usually schools and programs will specify what they wish you to wear. The usual suggestion: for a ballet class: Black leotard, pink tights, and ballet shoes for women, and white tee shirt, black tights, white socks and ballet shoes for men. Be certain to have both ballet and pointeshoes with you. |
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For a modern class: you can be somewhat more creative, wearing a leotard or unitards, but usually you must be barefoot. Because dance is physical and your body is your instrument, it is important to wear proper attire and not try to hide your body. No big tee shirts or sweats. Your hair should be out of your face and nicely groomed. |
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Bring with you what you will need: |
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* Your attire for a ballet class;
* Your attire for a modern class;
* Any other change of clothing or shoes;
* A cassette tape of CD of the music for your solo or piano accompaniment;
* Another copy of your resume and photographs, in case they are requested; and
* Any health form that is requested |
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If admission is based primarily on your performance in a class, be sure you arrive early so that you have enough time to warm up. If you are asked to perform a solo that you have choreographed, be sure the material you have chosen accentuates your strengths. Stay strictly within the stipulated time regulations. Be prepared to speak about your material: the title of the piece, the choreographer, and the composer. If for some reason you are injured before your audition, it is best to call and consult someone about postponing it. Going to an audition with an injury and not be able to jump is not going to win you any favor with an audition panel. |
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If you are providing a CD or tape be sure you know what equipment they have, or bring your own. It would be awful to bring a CD and they only had a cassette player. If you bring a tape, be sure that it contains only musical accompaniment for your solo and is cued to play. Most Auditions will have a pianist who accompanies the class and is available to play for your solo. Be sure you provide the pianist with your sheet music with any cuts or repeats clearly marked. |
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Regional Auditions |
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Many conservatories will hold auditions in a number of different cities and in other countries as well. They are usually treated just as valid as an audition on campus, and sometimes, because you may be seen with a smaller group, may give you an advantage. Ask about who will conduct the auditions, which faculty will teach classes and evaluate the audition, and if a video tape will be made of the audition for other faculty to review. |
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Videotape auditions are accepted by some dance programs in lieu of a personal audition. The best advice is to use the videotape only as a last resort. Faculty members like to see applicants in person. |
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Be Prepared! Arrive early to warm up! Remember the panel watching the audition really wants you to do well! Relax, do your best and keep your focus on performing with confidence. |
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What Not to do at a Dance Audition |
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* Do not run away after you have finished. Take your appropriate bows and they wait until you are dismissed. Many times there will be an awkward period of silence, and they, the adjudicators may want to ask you something. If you disappear, an opportunity will be lost.
* Do not wear inappropriate attire.
* Do not "play" to the judges. It is best to look a little over their heads.
* Do not choose a solo that you think the panel wants to see. Choose something that you love to dance and that is appropriate to your level of development.
* Do not perform a solo that exceeds the time stipulated in the guidelines. |
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Dealing with injury and health issues. |
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In looking at your future in dance, you must consider how injuries will influence some of your choices. All serious dancers are going to incur some injuries. You must be brutally honest with yourself about when an injury will have to be taken into account in determining your future training. Many conservatory dance programs and also companies have recently been enforcing weight policies for young dancers. While this truly risky both to the psychology and natural physical body changes of mid-adolescence, there is an emphasis on thinness in much of the dance world. When you are looking at a college, conservatory, or company, you need to ask about their weight policy. |
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The dilemma of serious young dancers is a dance company versus college. Some experienced dancers suggest that the dance company is right only for a very small number of dancers. These dancers also said that your life after your years as a performer are much more difficult if you do not have a college education, and most directors and choreographers have attended college. It should be further noted that most modern dancers have college degrees. |
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SAMPLE DANCE QUESTIONS TO ASK |
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* What is a typical schedule for a freshman? Are there any electives?
* What is the policy on casting?
* What kind of flooring is there in the studios?
* How many dance performances are there? Fully produced concerts? Workshops?
* How many studios are there? What are the facilities available to students?
* Who have been the recent choreographers?
* Who has taught master classes?
* What kind of technique it taught?
* What kind of repertory is studied?
* How will the audition be run?
* Who evaluates the audition?
* Is it possible to focus on ballet or modern, or must I be proficient in both?
* What do most graduates go on to do?
* What companies now employ graduates from your program?
* Do you help with job placement?
* H?ow many technical classes required per week? In ballet? Modern? Jazz? Ethnic forms? Pasde deux? Pointe? Other ? |
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Audition Evaluation Criteria |
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When you audition, you will find that certain criteria is expected from each school. Forms for evaluation differ from school to school, but as you will note from the sample forms that follow, many similar criteria are reviewed. Some programs may give you copies of the evaluation or notes on how you might improve; other programs consider this very confidential. |
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