Dancers

High School

A good high school education is highly recommended for those interested in becoming dancers. You should take courses in speech, music, and dramatics, and engage in extracurricular activities that will enhance your knowledge of these areas. You should also continue your dance studies during the summer. Some summer camps feature dance training, and special summer classes are available in some large cities.

Postsecondary Training

A number of avenues for advanced training are available. About 240 colleges and universities offer programs leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in dance, generally through the departments of physical education, music, theater, or fine arts. These programs provide an opportunity for a college education and advanced preparation and training. For a list of accredited dance programs, visit the National Association of Schools of Dance’s Web site, https://nasd.arts-accredit.org/directory-lists/accredited-institutions. Other possibilities include study with professional dancing teachers or attendance at a professional dance school. There are a number of such schools in the country; most of them are located in large cities.

Typical classes in a dance program include:

• Choreography
• Dance Production
• Dance and Society: 1700–1960
• Dance and Society: 1960–Present
• Dance and Disability
• Dance, Music and Film
• Dance for the Child
• Improvisation
• Modern Dance: Elementary, Low Intermediate, High Intermediate, Advanced, Performance Workshop, Guest Artists Workshop
• Tap Dance
• Ballet: Elementary, Low Intermediate, Intermediate Pointe, High Intermediate, Advanced, Performance Workshop, Guest Artists Workshop

Experience as a performer is usually required for teaching in professional schools, and colleges and conservatories generally require graduate degrees.

Certification

Some colleges offer undergraduate certificate programs in dance. For example, Temple University offers a certificate in dance to undergraduate students in good standing who complete 15 credits of certificate coursework and meet other requirements. Temple's certificate program in Performance includes performing arts, classical and jazz, and dance. Learn more at https://bulletin.temple.edu/undergraduate/boyer-music-dance/dance-certificate. Also use a search engine to find dance certificate programs offered in other schools.

Other Education or Training

Dance/USA offers professional development opportunities at its annual conference. Visit http://danceusa.org/conference for more information.