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How to start a dance education
If you're interested in dancing but are just breaking in, your first task is to take as many classes as possible! See every performance you can (often you can usher to get in for free), ask advice from your teachers or professional dancers you meet, volunteer at dance companies you like (believe me, they are always looking for help), subscribe to publications like 'Dance Magazine', go online to dip into the dance world (see some of my replies in 'recent questions' for some sites to start with) -- in general, just immerse yourself in the dance culture that exists in your community and elsewhere, and an outline of what you might most want to pursue in the wide world of dance will start to emerge. So many different kinds of dance styles exist, and sampling widely at first will start to give you an idea of where your proclivities and talents might lie. When I give assemblies in schools I always ask the kids what kind of dance they've studied, and the answers give a fair picture of the sheer range of activities represented when we say 'dance': jazz, hip hop, modern, ballet, ballroom, African, Capoeira, tap, Irish step, folk dance from various parts of the world -- the list goes on and on. Most conservatory and academic settings offer ballet, modern, and perhaps jazz as their core technical subjects, often with a sprinkling of other styles as well. You didn't say what level you are at in your schooling, but regardless I would advise you to sample all you can from private studios or community colleges before deciding to take a step like enrolling in an university dance program or performing arts conservatory. (If money is an issue, see if you can arrange a work/study swap with a studio -- many a dancer has swept out studios or sat at the registration desk in exchange for free or discounted classes.) Give yourself time to discover your own particular passions before committing to a career path. And remember that to seriously study dance in pursuit of becoming a professional takes a lot of patience as well as a lot of work. There is a saying in dance circles that "it takes ten years to make a dancer" -- and from my observations I would say that this is more often an understatement than an exaggeration! But don't let this daunt you either, your first years in dance should be marked not by career anxiety but by enjoyment and discovery. Have fun! And if after a year or two you find that you are not having fun, you'll know that dance is not for you. Good luck Eily! -- Nicole
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