Thriving in Dance College
By Hannah Emory, DWC Blog Contributor
The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can.
- Make Good Art, Neil Gaiman -
Why dance college?
Becoming a good artist requires a lot of time and is a highly individual process. True art, in its various forms, comes from observing the world, coming to know yourself, and the synthesis between the two. There is no substitute for the hours of training, studying, and absorbing that need to be done in order to hone your craft and distinguish your voice as an individual.
This can be done in an independent way, seeking opportunities as they come along and pursuing your individual goals outside of any formal education. However, dance college can be an environment that is conducive to incubating the artistic process and providing a higher concentration of resources, learning opportunities, and collaborative relationships than one might find independently.
Given, academic institutions have their own challenges in addition to their benefits; not one of them is perfect or will guarantee you the career you envision. Dance college requires a lot of hard work, and not all of it will necessarily be in-line with your individual goals. But it can all lead you places you never would have imagined otherwise.
So, if you want to attend dance college, or have already been accepted into a program, there are certain things that I and my peers propose will help you make the experience richer and more self-explorational. College is a significant commitment of financial resources and, even more precious, a great investment of time and energy. It’s crucial to make the most of it! I hope you find this advice helpful in either starting or continuing your education. It’s a long journey, but it’s worth every step!
Advice for thriving in dance college:
Hannah Emory (@hannah.emory):
Remember, just because you’re different, it doesn’t make you a bad dancer technically or a bad artist aesthetically. You will encounter all kinds of stylistic and training differences while in college, but I encourage you to think of it all as tools in your toolbox, not a statement about what you should be. Especially in contemporary dance, teachers are those who have forged their own path in a discipline full of variety. Think of dance as a language where each mover has their own dialect - there is no right or wrong, just difference, and that’s what makes this artform so wonderful. There are structures you can learn and styles you can emulate, but you have your own unique way of dancing that should be celebrated. Explore it, express it, enjoy it and don’t allow anyone to tell you you’re not legitimate - not even yourself!
Controversially, I encourage you to prioritize your bodily wellbeing and training time over academics. In college, there’s always going to be tests to study for, papers to research, and rubrics to fulfill. But what can never be replaced is your bodily health, mental wellbeing, and this chance to absorb as much as you can about how to actually dance. Everything you will encounter as an academic subject in your course is important fuel for your dance journey, but it’s my opinion that pursuing academics should not take over your ability to dance well and feel great while doing it. If you’re struggling with the academic side of your program, please speak to your course directors and advisors, but don’t lose the joy of dancing in the midst of academic expectations. Grades are for the academy and for now; dancing is for you and for your whole life.
Spend your extra time in the studio to create your own work.
If you are able to book studios out as a student, that’s an invaluable resource! This is your opportunity to begin experimenting and making your own work. You can develop a regular improv practice, make solos, and collaborate with your friends to get well-versed in your choreographic process.
**Bonus points for filming and posting what you make on social media, especially if your goal is to be a performer or choreographer. An easily accessible catalog of your work on Instagram or Youtube gets your name out there to people you may have never met otherwise.**
Educate yourself on and take advantage of the resources your college has on offer beyond the studio space - everything from cameras to sound equipment to students in other courses who may want to work with you on projects. There’s so many opportunities for collaboration, exploration, and experimentation during this time in your life, with the tools you need and people to create with, all in one place.
Alice Gavigan (@alice_gavigan): What’s great about full time training and college is that you get to be truly immersed in dance and you get to study and practice what you love. In this environment, naturally, you want to do your best and go above and beyond what you’ve been asked to do. But, in my experience, this can lead to burnout and unnecessary stress. What helped me was establishing a routine for the week and having time separate from training and assignments. For example, I set aside one evening a week to do some fun self-care and fully relax. Balancing my personal life with my dance training has really helped me to preserve my mental health.
Marcela Pridavkova (@marcela_marar + @ulyogasoc):
During college, stay yourself. You will meet lots of new people with different skill sets and training. You might start comparing yourself to these people, but remember everybody has different strengths and there is something in you that other people will look up to.
Explore and adapt your own style, get to know your best skills and make the most of them, and be aware of your weaknesses and try to work on them.
Do not try to fix everything at once. Instead, set small goals for yourself and do not punish yourself if you don’t achieve the exact result you expected.
Work the best you can but be kind to yourself and others. Treat others the way you wish to be treated.
There will be challenging moments when you will feel like giving up. But stay strong, we have all been there, and it’s hard to be a dancer!
Don’t forget to enjoy it! College years are great, even with all struggles along the way, and you will make some great memories.
Sources:
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