In the December issue, DT staff reflects on their favorite covers of the year. Associate editor Kristin Schwab chose March. “Growing up as a bunhead, I’ll admit that I used to turn up my nose at the idea of dance team as a respected form. Jodi Maxfield’s story really validates that there is some great […]
In the December issue, DT staff reflects on their favorite covers of the year. Assistant editor Rachel Rizzuto’s pick was September. “I really loved our cover story on Judy Rice. I enjoyed her frankness about how inept she felt, starting out as a ballet teacher. And her willingness to start from scratch in the field, coupled […]
Degree programs give commercial dancers a leg up. Point Park invites agents and directors to concerts to help students book jobs. The commercial dance world can be overwhelming for doe-eyed dancers who move to Los Angeles after high school. They have to get an agent, audition constantly and network, while also finding ways to support […]
Taking students to a college dance fair can help them make connections and decide where to apply. Colorado Dance Expo participants sample a Colorado Mesa University jazz class. The questions seem endless for dancers applying to college. On top of worries like class size, location and tuition, they must consider ideas an English major doesn’t […]
A professional dancer brings West Virginia its very first dance major. Yoav Kaddar is practically a one-man department machine.As director of the dance program at West Virginia University, with only one other recently hired faculty member to share the load, his day might include working on a grant, scheduling the next guest artist or overseeing […]
What do college panels want to see? Solos allow students to show faculty that they’re more than just a number. “For Freshman/Sophomore dancers auditioning for the BFA program,” reads Florida State University’s School of Dance website, “solos should be between 1–2 minutes in length. The choreography may be their own or by someone else. All […]
Got a few students who are thinking of studying dance in college? You might want to encourage them to check out getacceptd.com. Acceptd is a unique website, designed for those on both sides of the college application process: students looking to major in a performing art in college can upload and share a portfolio with […]
Under visionary artistic director Jodi Maxfield, the Brigham Young University dance team opens doors for career-minded dancers. Director Jodi Maxfield with Brigham Young University dance team the Cougarettes When Jodi Maxfield first took the field alongside her fellow Brigham Young University Cougarettes in the late 1970s, their style exemplified that of many dance teams during […]
How three associate professors spent their sabbaticals James Hansen choreographed “Lovely” during his sabbatical in Chile. For full-time university faculty, sabbaticals are a welcome vacation. Deciding how they should be spent though, can be difficult. The possibilities seem infinite—some work on research projects, choreograph or travel. Regardless of plans, the time off can be exhausting, […]
Music to help dancers develop their personal movement voices The first year of college can be a struggle for dancers because their beliefs on technique and movement are often flipped upside down. “College is really about deprogramming them,” says Kiesha Lalama, associate jazz professor at Point Park University in Pittsburgh. “A lot of freshmen come […]