How do I Choose a Dance College in Minnesota?
As one of the universal human art forms, dance transcends cultures and backgrounds with its unique ability to connect us to the common human experience. For the dedicated dancer, honing the art of movement is a personal journey of discipline, discovery, and self-expression.
The dance major at Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota trains students in the technical skills needed to explore, create, and communicate through dance. Gustavus dance students graduate with a deep understanding of dance history, theory, technique, and choreography. Each student benefits from close faculty mentorship and expert career guidance, complete with individually tailored internships and exciting international study opportunities. Our established alumni and industry network connects you with the right people and experiences so you can claim your place in the world of professional dance.
What makes a good college dance program? Keep reading for questions to ask yourself as you choose a dance school in Minnesota.
Does the dance degree support your career goals?
Is stage performance your primary goal? Do you hope to be a choreographer, director, coach, or teacher? Are you interested in the administration and management of dance studios, theaters, and other professional dance spaces? Which types of dance speak to you most? Explore the school’s dance curriculum as well as the other majors and minors offered. Depending on your career interests, for instance, a double major in exercise physiology or a minor in film and media studies might best round out your dance education.
Dance classes at Gustavus rigorously hone your technical skills while intentionally fostering individual expression and creativity. Courses explore ballet, jazz, modern dance, choreography, dance history, theory of dance, kinesiology, and more, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of the world of artistic movement. The Gustavus liberal arts curriculum is designed for flexibility, and your advisor and faculty work closely with you to customize your studies and extracurricular experiences in alignment with your professional goals. Develop valuable business skill sets with a minor in arts entrepreneurship, build your network through local community arts involvement, or expand your horizons in a semester abroad.
What mentorship do dance students receive?
The size and culture of your dance school greatly affect the level of personal attention you receive from the dance faculty. One-on-one guidance, support, and continuous feedback are critical to a dancer’s artistic growth and development, so select a dance program with small classes and one-on-one mentorship. Look up your school’s dance department and see what kind of professional experience the faculty has. If possible, plan to visit the school, meet faculty, and explore the dance facilities.
Gustavus dance faculty are passionate about sharing their wisdom and professional dance experience with the next generation of dancers. Their cumulative performance and choreography expertise offers dance students crucial industry insight for navigating their own artistic journeys. Small class sizes foster close mentorship to nurture talent and encourage each student to break out of their creative comfort zones. Faculty mentorship also extends outside the studio to the rest of your Gustavus education, fostering diverse opportunities for guidance, inspiration, and interdisciplinary professional networking.
What are your performance opportunities?
What opportunities does the college or university offer its students, both on and off campus, to build their performance portfolios? As you explore Minnesota colleges, find the performance schedule for your prospective dance schools and coordinate your college visits to coincide. Attending a mainstage dance performance offers direct insight into your opportunities as a dance major at that college.
The Gustavus theatre and dance schedule includes winter and spring dance events showcasing faculty and student performance and production skills. Gustavus hosts two student dance companies and houses state-of-the-art dance studios and scenery and costume shops, where students develop dance and choreography proficiency and craft their performance aesthetic. Dance students at Gustavus also participate in regional festivals and competitions to gain exposure beyond campus, build their professional portfolios, and network within the wider dance community.
What are a school’s dance graduates doing now?
A key indicator of dance school quality is where the graduates have landed. What graduate schools or conservatories did they go on to attend? Where are they employed? How do they feel their education supported them? As you are able, connect with people in the industry and find out what they have to say about their experiences at different dance schools. Look online to see how graduates have used their dance education to pursue careers in dance-related fields.
Gustavus dance graduates have studied at the St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts, started their own dance companies, won prestigious fellowships, and worked for renowned venues such as the Minnesota Dance Theatre. They become choreographers, creating original works for stage performance, and educators, teaching dance from elementary through university levels. The versatility of a dance degree from Gustavus prepares students for interdisciplinary work, such as combining performance art with film, visual arts, or community activism. Other dance students pursue advanced degrees in fields related to movement science or therapy, applying their understanding of dance in health care and therapeutic contexts. In short, a Gustavus dance degree can take you anywhere.
Study performing arts at Gustavus in Saint Peter, Minnesota.
At Gustavus, you receive personalized support from day one to achieve your dreams. Performance opportunities and professional internships are tailored to your career goals, so you gain the customized experiences you need to enter the field with confidence. Gustavus dance students hone their craft through rigorous practice, developing important skills including teamwork, discipline, resilience, and creativity – qualities that serve you throughout your professional career, on stage and off.
Whether you hope to attend a conservatory after graduation, coach competitive dance, or become a professional choreographer, you’ll find the advising, networks, and mentorship to succeed at Gustavus. Visit our beautiful campus, stay for a performance, tour our dedicated dance studios and laboratory theater, and discover what makes Gustavus an excellent option for studying dance in Minnesota.
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