threegirlpileup
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Posted 1508421122
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#1
Hi all, We are early in our college search, but dd and I have been putting together a list of potential BFA/BA programs. Is there some sort of master list on this forum, or would folks be up for throwing out the names of quality programs? We have the following on our long list so far. She is specifically looking for a program with a strong choreography program.University of Indiana
Temple University (PA)
University of Southern Mississippi
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
College at Brockport (NY)
Marymount Manhattan (NY)
Fordham University/Ailey (NY)
Meredith (NC)
University of Southern California/Kauffman (CA)
Boston Conservatory
University of Hartford (Hartt School)
University of Oklahoma
SUNY-Purchase
University of the Arts (PA)
University of Arizona
Southern Methodist University (TX)
UNC-Greensboro
University of South Carolina
Elon University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Montclair State (NJ)
NYU/Tisch
Point Park
Julliard (NY)
UNCSA
Butler University (IN) Thanks!
tiptoemom
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Posted 1508422121
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#2
Rutgers, Towson, Florida State, James Madison and George Mason. Have a look at Dancewave.org and their dancing through college weekend page. It was at the beginning of October in NYC. On the right hand of the page it lists participating programs. While this is in no way complete, it may give you a list to work from.
threegirlpileup
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Posted 1508422300
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#3
Thanks!
5678StarMom
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Posted 1508422397
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#4
Close to me - University if Missouri Kansas City has a BFA program that’s Conservatory style
Stephens College has a wonderful BFA program in Columbia MO
5678StarMom
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Posted 1508422526
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#5
I would also recommend looking at the website/message board ballet talk for dancers. They have an extensive list of programs and reviews. They are decidedly not chatty, and the board has lots of rules, but they are an extremely excellent resource.
threegirlpileup
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Posted 1508422686
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#6
LOL yes I am very familiar with BTFD--just looking to expand our reach beyond strictly ballet-focused programs. Thanks!
dancermom128
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Posted 1508439293
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#7
My DD is a BFA at MSU. Great modern based program. There are quite a few choreo classes but not a choreography concentration.
tendumom
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Posted 1508440503
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#8
I think it is Dance Magazine that puts out a huge college issue annually. Would be worth a look. I picked it up one year and it was huge and full of programs I had never known about
5678StarMom
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Posted 1508445659
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#9
Quote:
Originally Posted by 5678StarMom Close to me - University if Missouri Kansas City has a BFA program that’s Conservatory style
Stephens College has a wonderful BFA program in Columbia MO
I know Stephens has a choreography concentration, that’s where my DDs mentor teacher got her choreography BFA.
BalletDad
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Posted 1508456741
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#10
Just went through this with my DD. She just started as a freshman in the Fordham/Ailey BFA program and loves it. These are some other we looked at:Adelphi University Arizona State University California Institute of the Arts Dominican University of California/Alonzo King LINES Ballet Kent State University Marymount Manhattan College Pace University Tulane University University of Colorado Boulder University of Florida University of Massachusetts Amherst University of Michigan University of Utah You should also look at smarterdancer.com. There is a searchable college directory there.
jwsqrdplus2
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Posted 1508458261
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#11
Quote:
Originally Posted by tendumom I think it is Dance Magazine that puts out a huge college issue annually. Would be worth a look. I picked it up one year and it was huge and full of programs I had never known about
I second this. It was worth every penny we spent on it! My daughter is currently a BA at Point Park, and she adores it. Her 2 roommates are both BFAs, and they love it too. No choreo concentration (modern, jazz or ballet concentrations), but they do student choreography shows every fall (not sure about spring)
mom2rb
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Posted 1508466109
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#12
Dance Spirit College Guide was the best $40 we ever spent. It is how my son heard of Mercyhurst University. He is a B.A. but they do offer a B.F.A., in fact most of the dancers are in the B.F.A. Program.
ballerinamom13
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Posted 1508507256
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#13
I have no real personal knowledge, but Chapman in CA is supposed to be good. Lauren Froderman (from So You Think You Can Dance) went there. I only know this because dd used to dance with her years ago and I worked with her dad.
tappinmom
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Posted 1508547377
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#14
Quote:
Originally Posted by ballerinamom13 I have no real personal knowledge, but Chapman in CA is supposed to be good. Lauren Froderman (from So You Think You Can Dance) went there. I only know this because dd used to dance with her years ago and I worked with her dad.
I have a friend who's daughter is a junior at Chapman and she loves it there.
cdnmom
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Posted 1508558416
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#15
Quote:
Originally Posted by jwsqrdplus2 I second this. It was worth every penny we spent on it! My daughter is currently a BA at Point Park, and she adores it. Her 2 roommates are both BFAs, and they love it too. No choreo concentration (modern, jazz or ballet concentrations), but they do student choreography shows every fall (not sure about spring)
My daughter graduated from Point Park (BFA) and had many choreography opportunities - through required courses and the Student Choreography Project. She speaks very highly of her experience there.
hopefuldancer17
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Posted 1520985620
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#16
I think it's a great idea to try and have a list to help others down the road who might be starting their research. I'll add to your original list...University of Indiana Temple University (PA) University of Southern Mississippi University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College at Brockport (NY) Marymount Manhattan (NY) Fordham University/Ailey (NY) Meredith (NC) University of Southern California/Kauffman (CA) Boston Conservatory University of Hartford (Hartt School) University of Oklahoma SUNY-Purchase University of the Arts (PA) University of Arizona Southern Methodist University (TX) UNC-Greensboro University of South Carolina Elon University Virginia Commonwealth University Montclair State (NJ) NYU/Tisch Point Park Julliard (NY) UNCSA Butler University (IN) Rutgers Towson Florida State James Madison George Mason University of Missouri Kansas City Stephens College MSU Adelphi University Arizona State University California Institute of the Arts Dominican University of California/Alonzo King LINES Ballet Kent State University Pace University Tulane University University of Colorado Boulder University of Florida University of Massachusetts Amherst University of Michigan University of Utah Chapman University Cal State Long Beach Mercyhurst UC Irvine UC Santa Barbara University of Kansas Friends University
fishoutofwater
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Posted 1521024680
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#17
Gosh! Where do you even begin with a list that long? I have a high school freshman who really does not have a clue what she wants to do, although wants dance to be a part of her life some how. Right now she's thinking Dance Therapy or a double major of dance and a dietician/nutrician program. This list makes me start to hyper ventilate!
mom2rb
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Posted 1521034792
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#18
That is where the Dance Spirit College guide comes in handy. It has so much information about the schools. I was able to narrow down the list based on what my son wanted in a program and a school. Then once it was significantly shortened, we could research the schools.
hopefuldancer17
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Posted 1521036589
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#19
fishoutofwater, it also helps make it more clear that a dancer needs to try and figure out what they want from their program. Do they want daily ballet classes? Do they want their own choreographic opportunities? Do they want multiple performance opportunities every year? Do they want small classes? Do they want an urban/rural/suburban environment? Do they want a small liberal arts college or a large university? Does geographic location matter? Do they want faculty that seem invested in promoting their dancers? We started with a huge list like that but ultimately whittled it down.
threegirlpileup
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Posted 1521036718
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#20
Yes, the Dance Spirit guide is super helpful!
We’ve started narrowing our list by researching the programs and knocking off places that don’t have what dd is looking for, like
Location—not too far from home. Everything West of the Mississippi got the chop.
Academics—quality academics and the opportunity to take liberal arts and sciences classes.
Program—emphasis on contemporary and a strong choreography track.
Our list is still too long but we’re working on it!
josiemn
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Posted 1521042489
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#21
Such a great question! I too have an early high school student who is starting to think about college for dance. Academics (likely business as a second major or minor) will also be important, and she'd like to be on the West Coast. Contemporary and jazz and choreography are her focus. She will want daily (or close to daily) ballet and performance opportunities. I'd love to hear from anyone who has researched in those areas! (Will definitely grab that magazine next year!)
Dancergirlmelody
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Registered:1356014138 Posts: 85
Posted 1521370134
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#22
I graduated with a BFA from Belhaven University (MS). A great school with excellent faculty and really strong choreography.
Emmie46
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Posted 1521386786
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#23
UCLA has a World Cultures and Dance Program. Also take a look at Columbia College Chicago.