The annual higher education issue is one of my favorites to work on and this year is no exception. When New York choreographer Mary Seidman (of Mary Seidman and Dancers) told me about a project that she had recently undertaken for her MFA degree at Hollins University, I jumped at the chance to share some of her research. Seidman interviewed faculty of 13 college dance programs to find out how modern dance is taught in college today. In “Architects of Body and Soul,” five respected artists and faculty members talk about their daily practice of technique class.
Much has changed about college education since 1938 when Bessie Schönberg began her pioneering dance program at Sarah Lawrence College. Most schools now offer online courses, for instance. In “Going the Distance,” writer Rachel Ellner tells how and when dance departments use this format. There is also a growing emphasis on preparing dance majors for professional work life, whether as performing artists or businesspeople (and often both!). Consistent with this trend, Arizona State University recently made a bold move and placed a dance festival administrator at the head of its dance department. Read about Simon Dove’s ambitious plans, as ASU students head into a second year with his revamped curriculum, in “Developing New Voices.”
Do check out the “2010 Guide to Dance in Higher Ed,” with 135 colleges and university dance programs to share with your students who are making decisions about college in the next few years. Regardless of whether they plan to major in dance or simply want to keep dance in their lives while they study another subject, the Higher Ed Guide is the place to start. Then, for more details, we recommend the new edition of Dance Magazine College Guide, now available at www.dancemagazine.com/college.
There’s a great deal more in this issue for dance educators in every setting—from tips on working well with an accompanist to selling snacks in your studio. I know you’ll enjoy the vintage photos we unearthed from the Dance Magazine archives for Hannah Maria Hayes’ feature about preserving the history of jazz dance. With winter recitals right around the corner, now is the time to order holiday costumes; we’ve got a selection of new and best-selling styles. And in Technique, Sheila Barker, a Dance Teacher Summit favorite, demonstrates a warm-up exercise you can easily incorporate into your classes, no matter what style you teach.
Karen Hildebrand
editor in chief
