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Job prospects for dance majors
We all know that dance is an extremely demanding and competitive field (and that you better not be going into it for the money)! The good news for you is that it's less competitive for men: many more women than men apply to dance schools and programs, so opportunities in general are better for men. Any of us who has ever been in a dance company knows that male dancers are at a premium! If you're serious about dance, a very good reason to pursue a dance major in college is that while most dance studios and professional schools provide training exclusively in dance technique, training at the college level is broader in scope. The dance field itself embraces many more specialties than stage performance, and it's wise to remember that sooner or later most professional performers decide to shift their career focus -- because of aging bodies, touring burn-out, or naturally shifting interests and passions. In short, it's a good idea when plotting your dance career to prepare oneself in areas other than just technique, and you can do that in college and grad school. When considering a program, always inquire about the curriculum provided (required course work, electives). Many programs offer both a B.F.A. (more practical/technical coursework) and an B.A. (more academic/threoretical coursework) option. Consider a second major or a minor to prepare yourself in more than one area of specialization. A master’s degree (M.F.A. or M.A.) may be needed for some dance careers. Here is a (non-comprehensive!) list of dance-related careers:
And some helpful websites:
http://www.ndta.org.uk (This is the website for the National Dance Teachers Association in Britain, but has some great universal advice -- see particularly their "Careers in Dance" page.) http://www.young-dancers.org (Also has a nice Careers section.) Good luck! Nicole
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