Thank you so much for making this video series. My daughter is a junior wishing to pursue a BFA in concert dance and is beginning the journey of researching the process. Your videos are amazing and we are learning so much!
That warms my heart to hear. I started making videos specifically for dancers like your daughter, since I know how confusing and stressful the process can be. Feel free to use me as a resource anytime during this process!
Is it easy enough to get into a dance college? Because I have scoliosis so I wouldn't be able to get into any dance company's when I'm older because of my posture but I would still love to do a dance college sort of thing and maybe have teaching dance as an open option aswell
Thanks so much this helps a lot! Quick question though, I heard that some colleges have classes of 20-30 from those who audition, do you know like how competitive it is to get in?
It really depends on the college you're auditioning for. My university has about 20 students per year and there could be as many as a couple hundred people who audition. However, some colleges have larger class sizes (I know that Point Park for example has about 100 students per class). Then there is also the factor of how many students are auditioning, Juilliard is going to have a lot more applicants than a lesser known school. I would say most top tier college dance programs are pretty competitive to get into, but there are many programs all across the country, so if you want to major in dance you can definitely find a place to study :) hoped this helped
@@margaretpughdance Ohh okay thank you so so much!! I don’t know anyone really around here that’s in or graduated in dance so really grateful that I could find someone who is! Thank you!
@@ariellemae2795 I'm so glad! I was in your same position when I was applying. If you have any other questions, please reach out I liked my instagram if you want to dm any questions. I'll try my best to give advice!
Yes! I want to go to Boston Conservatory at Berklee for my BFA in commercial dance. But I’m so stressed about the application and money, since I live in Nebraska and so I would have to pay for dorms plus three years (6 semesters)😰the thought of being on my own is also scary, but it’s something I truly want. It’s a desperate dream of mine to be a dancer in commercial projects and I’m willing to do everything, I just don’t know where to start..
I totally understand. I was where you were a couple years ago and now I'm in my senior year of college. I have to be honest I have a complicated relationship with my experience in college. I know some people who have attended Boston Conservatory, I also know of some who dropped out and some who graduated. It's difficult to know how you are going to like a school or how it will treat you before you go. One thing I've learned from college, is that most programs are a bit "old fashioned," meaning the technique is great and will serve you in the future, but commercial dance styles are not pushed. In my case my college doesn't teach them at all, which has lead me to having to do a lot of self training. It's a bit complicated thought, because my background in technique has also enabled me to be able to pick up new styles. You could always try taking a gap year, to go out and enter the professional world and if you find you need more training to accomplish your goals you could apply for college next year. This could also give you some time to save up some money. Just the first thought I had, but if you want to talk more in detail feel free to dm me, I'm not always great at responding haha but I'd love to help in any way I can :) good luck out there. (also quick final thought, don't worry you don't know where to start, I'm graduating in the spring and hardly know where to start, so really we are all in this together)
@@margaretpughdance I will definitely dm you!! Since I still have plenty more to ask😅 plus I would really also like to talk with some of the people you know that went to Berklee so I can get an idea of how it was for them and their experience! 😊thank you sm!!
of course! I'm glad this was helpful. I have a whole playlist of other videos giving advice, but also feel free to message me if you need help with anything!
I have a question for dance major's essay... Does the essay have to be grammatically extraordinary like for academic majors??? Bcs dancing is all I'm gonna be doing. And i have another question, what should i write for my essay? My dance life (it's pretty interesting but I'm sure the other 90% of applicants will do the same thing), my role model either my mom (bcs she's the back bone if the family my dad isnt doing a great job) or katy Perry (where im planning to match my life to her songs and how i have matured so far cause im not kidding i relate so much to her songs). I also heard applicants with traumatic essays are usually have better chance getting in, is that true?
So my dream currently is to go to a University of Arts and major dance. But my question is what do I need to know before I get accepted to a arts college. I am dancing for about 10 years (currently 16 yo) but most of that time I learned dance on my own. Now I am in a dance group and we also perform but its not anything big were we are like competing in competitions. So what do most colleges expect from you to get accepted?? Becoming a professional dancer is my biggest dream and going to an arts college could really help me fulfill my dream but I am scared that I might not even be accepted because I wasnt part of any dance group for a long time because it was something I only did for myself and that I loved…maybe you could help me?
Hi, I'd love to know names of the universities that just don't focus on contemporary and ballet. I want to do my bachelor's in dancing but don't want a limitation to the dance styles I'll be learning. Most of the universities I've checked so far only focus on contemporary and ballet :(
I'll do my best. Sadly a lot of college programs are still basically only teaching ballet and contemporary, which is something I really hope changes in the future. However, here is a little list of college that might interest you! These two are the most "commercial" programs I know of - Pace - Hussian I thin these are a bit more varied in their classes offered, however, I haven't done enough research to know if this entirely true. - Boston Conservatory at Berklee - AMDA - University of Arizona - Chapman (still pretty concert based, but might be slightly more commercial) I would also search around looking for "commercial dance" programs instead of "concert dance" programs because concert dance usually means ballet and modern/contemporary. I would also look into "training programs" that aren't affiliated with a university. I know CLI studios just started one and I think Peridance might have a programs as well. These programs are often a bit more "up to date" in their styles, however the downside is that they do not have a degree associated with them. However, some of them do coordinate schedules with local colleges so you can still pursue a degree. Sorry for such a long answer haha. I wish I could compile a longer list, but if you have any other questions let me know :)
Hey! Thank you so much for this video. Hope you're still answering questions. I'm in middle school and I've been dancing for a few years. But I just started ballet. How much time do you think I should train/dance per week? Not only ballet but in general.
I personally danced everyday (mon-sat) when I was in high school. But I know friends who didn't have a schedule like mine that are also majoring in dance. Training isn't just about the amount of time, but also about the quality. If you want to major in dance in college you will most likely be dancing everyday, so also keep that in mind. Since you are in middle school, I would say if you want to dance everyday you should go for it! but you still have time, so if you have other interests or hobbies don't give those up (they might even help your dancing in the future). Hope this helps, please let me know if you have any other questions or if I can help in anyway :)
I was so confused when I was applying, so I'm glad I could help you out a little. I'm currently editing some more videos with tips I learned that I'll be posting soon in case you want some more info!
I don’t know if you’re answering questions anymore now, I love the fact that you mentioned you had a friend who was in the program where she major in Kinesiology and had a emphasis on “dance”. I love dancing and I know I’ll never dread getting out of bed to do something I love, but I’m also wanting to be a personal trainer as to where I love workout too. How was she able to do that? What was the steps/process??
I don't know a whole lot about that particular program. I believe it was at one of the California Schools. I would look those up first. I just googled and found that Indiana University also might have one. The process will be different for every college, but hopefully that gives you a bit of a starting point. I wish I had more info for you but let me know if there are any more questions I can help out with!
Wow you're ahead of the game! I would say if you want to look around/research colleges, go to shows or watch videos that would probably be a good idea. But as a freshman, I think you should focus your time on really training, studying, and enjoying high school! There is plenty of time to stress about college in the future, so do some research if it's fun for you, but don't stress out now. Just enjoy dancing :)
what kinds of career paths do these different types of dance colleges lead you down? I'm looking to dance in college and possibly dance professionally, but I want a good academic education to fall back on if that doesn't work out. like can I dance in college and be a dance major and still become like a vet or physical therapist later in life?
also is it impossible to do a double major with a bfa? cuz I still want to perform and progress in my dancing in order to be able to be a professional (hope that makes sense) and do something academic as well
Hi! There are many different careers that dance majors go on to have. A lot go into performing, choreographing, teaching, physical therapy, arts management, etc. And of course some people complete a dance degree and move into a different field that they enjoy. If you complete a dance BA or BFA you will be able to apply for master programs and beyond, so if you want to be a vet or physical therapist after a dance career, that option will still be available. If you attend a 4 year undergrad for your BA or BFA, this should keep all further academic routes open for you. I have talked a bit in some videos about "training programs" which give you a certificate at the end, these are the programs that are not affiliated with a college and you would have to attend a bachelor's program in addition to the dance training program, but as long as you find a university/college you should be good! Also, yes, many dancers in a BFA can double major. Some college make it more difficult and others it is a bit easier. I would definitely ask the college's dance program beforehand how possible it is. I have a friend at my college who is double majoring with Kinesiology and dance. One thing to be aware of is that double majoring with an intense dance program sometimes (but not always) means you have to stay an extra semester or year (or take summer classes) in order to complete all of the degree requirements. Last things before I completely bore you to death lol, is that there are some programs that are not dance "performance" based. I have a friend who got a physical therapy degree, but it had an emphasis on dance, so he took dance classes every day and performed, however, he was technically a physical therapy major. Sorry for such a long response, but I hope it was helpful! Let me know if you need any clarification or if you have any more questions :)
Okay so I started taking ballet classes when I was 7 and had to stop when I was 10, due to financial issues and my parents are trying to help me get back into it this or next year but I wanted to ask, can I still get into a school if Im still learning because I took a long break but I still want a dance future ❤
Every dancer is still learning, doesn't matter how long they have been training! If you've taken a very significant break and don't yet have a fundamental technique, to be honest it will be very difficult to get into a large or conservatory program. These are very competitive to get into, but there are lots of really great dance programs that are smaller or are at smaller universities or community colleges. Some of these programs also don't require auditions to major, so maybe look into programs with that option. Good luck!
@@margaretpughdance Thank you so much for the encouragement and information!! I'm 15 right now so hopefully I can get back into a dance studio next year so I can get better technique and get back into the experience before college. ❤️
i need help! so i’m a beginner to dance as a senior on high school, and i truly want to be a dance major after high school to a university. what do i do if im not that good?
Hi! I agree that practice is very important, you'd be surprised how much improvement you can make in just a year, but I also understand just how busy senior year can be! If you want to be a dance major, I say you should go for it and audition. If you just began dancing, I wouldn't recommend going for the "big name" schools like NYU or Julliard, as they have a low acceptance rate. However, there are many smaller schools or dance programs that have higher acceptance rates. There is a school near me MTSU, that is a local school, but has a dance program that people really enjoy. I also auditioned for LMU, which has a more relaxed atmosphere (compared to the more competitive atmosphere of "big name" schools). I think a small more low key dance program would suit you nicely (although to be fair I don't know you lol) I think they would give you the time and environment to really excel, and if you "outgrow" the school you can always try and transfer later in your studies (I also know many dancers who did this). I would maybe start with researching local schools and see if any of them have a program you can go and tour/visit. If you don't go to college, there are different ways that you can continue to train. For example, if there is a local studio or small company you could attend classes or look for opportunities to perform with them. You could also try finding a teaching job (if you feel qualified) to practice you choreography (if that is something you are interested in). The two things I have gained from college has been a lot of focus on technique and time to develop or explore and my artistic voice. So when making your schedule maybe keep those two things in mind. I hope this is helpful, feel free to ask other questions or update me! We're all figuring out this dance world together. Good luck :)
I'm actually not from LV haha, but I am hoping to move there after college! and if you want to be an acting or dance major you definitely can do it. Let me know if you have any questions, I'd love to help out in any way I can :)
Thank you so much for making this video series. My daughter is a junior wishing to pursue a BFA in concert dance and is beginning the journey of researching the process. Your videos are amazing and we are learning so much!
That warms my heart to hear. I started making videos specifically for dancers like your daughter, since I know how confusing and stressful the process can be. Feel free to use me as a resource anytime during this process!
I’m interested in majoring in dance and this video has sm helpful information thank you 💜
I'm so glad! I have a whole series of videos with more tips and tricks or feel free to message/dm me if you have any other questions :)
You have NO idea how much I appreciate this video. Thank you so much!
I'm so glad this was helpful! I have a whole playlist of college videos that might also be of use. Please let me know if I can help in any way :)
This is SO helpful and I enjoy your voice, you are very sweet. Thank you so much for all the information!!
Is it easy enough to get into a dance college? Because I have scoliosis so I wouldn't be able to get into any dance company's when I'm older because of my posture but I would still love to do a dance college sort of thing and maybe have teaching dance as an open option aswell
so educational! thanks for all the help
I'm so glad!
Thanks so much this helps a lot! Quick question though, I heard that some colleges have classes of 20-30 from those who audition, do you know like how competitive it is to get in?
It really depends on the college you're auditioning for. My university has about 20 students per year and there could be as many as a couple hundred people who audition. However, some colleges have larger class sizes (I know that Point Park for example has about 100 students per class). Then there is also the factor of how many students are auditioning, Juilliard is going to have a lot more applicants than a lesser known school. I would say most top tier college dance programs are pretty competitive to get into, but there are many programs all across the country, so if you want to major in dance you can definitely find a place to study :) hoped this helped
@@margaretpughdance Ohh okay thank you so so much!! I don’t know anyone really around here that’s in or graduated in dance so really grateful that I could find someone who is! Thank you!
@@ariellemae2795 I'm so glad! I was in your same position when I was applying. If you have any other questions, please reach out I liked my instagram if you want to dm any questions. I'll try my best to give advice!
Yes! I want to go to Boston Conservatory at Berklee for my BFA in commercial dance. But I’m so stressed about the application and money, since I live in Nebraska and so I would have to pay for dorms plus three years (6 semesters)😰the thought of being on my own is also scary, but it’s something I truly want. It’s a desperate dream of mine to be a dancer in commercial projects and I’m willing to do everything, I just don’t know where to start..
I totally understand. I was where you were a couple years ago and now I'm in my senior year of college. I have to be honest I have a complicated relationship with my experience in college. I know some people who have attended Boston Conservatory, I also know of some who dropped out and some who graduated. It's difficult to know how you are going to like a school or how it will treat you before you go. One thing I've learned from college, is that most programs are a bit "old fashioned," meaning the technique is great and will serve you in the future, but commercial dance styles are not pushed. In my case my college doesn't teach them at all, which has lead me to having to do a lot of self training. It's a bit complicated thought, because my background in technique has also enabled me to be able to pick up new styles. You could always try taking a gap year, to go out and enter the professional world and if you find you need more training to accomplish your goals you could apply for college next year. This could also give you some time to save up some money. Just the first thought I had, but if you want to talk more in detail feel free to dm me, I'm not always great at responding haha but I'd love to help in any way I can :) good luck out there. (also quick final thought, don't worry you don't know where to start, I'm graduating in the spring and hardly know where to start, so really we are all in this together)
@@margaretpughdance I will definitely dm you!! Since I still have plenty more to ask😅 plus I would really also like to talk with some of the people you know that went to Berklee so I can get an idea of how it was for them and their experience! 😊thank you sm!!
Thank you so much. Ineeded this. You're the best!
of course! I'm glad this was helpful. I have a whole playlist of other videos giving advice, but also feel free to message me if you need help with anything!
I have a question for dance major's essay... Does the essay have to be grammatically extraordinary like for academic majors??? Bcs dancing is all I'm gonna be doing. And i have another question, what should i write for my essay? My dance life (it's pretty interesting but I'm sure the other 90% of applicants will do the same thing), my role model either my mom (bcs she's the back bone if the family my dad isnt doing a great job) or katy Perry (where im planning to match my life to her songs and how i have matured so far cause im not kidding i relate so much to her songs). I also heard applicants with traumatic essays are usually have better chance getting in, is that true?
So my dream currently is to go to a University of Arts and major dance. But my question is what do I need to know before I get accepted to a arts college. I am dancing for about 10 years (currently 16 yo) but most of that time I learned dance on my own. Now I am in a dance group and we also perform but its not anything big were we are like competing in competitions. So what do most colleges expect from you to get accepted?? Becoming a professional dancer is my biggest dream and going to an arts college could really help me fulfill my dream but I am scared that I might not even be accepted because I wasnt part of any dance group for a long time because it was something I only did for myself and that I loved…maybe you could help me?
Hi, I'd love to know names of the universities that just don't focus on contemporary and ballet. I want to do my bachelor's in dancing but don't want a limitation to the dance styles I'll be learning. Most of the universities I've checked so far only focus on contemporary and ballet :(
I'll do my best. Sadly a lot of college programs are still basically only teaching ballet and contemporary, which is something I really hope changes in the future. However, here is a little list of college that might interest you!
These two are the most "commercial" programs I know of
- Pace
- Hussian
I thin these are a bit more varied in their classes offered, however, I haven't done enough research to know if this entirely true.
- Boston Conservatory at Berklee
- AMDA
- University of Arizona
- Chapman
(still pretty concert based, but might be slightly more commercial)
I would also search around looking for "commercial dance" programs instead of "concert dance" programs because concert dance usually means ballet and modern/contemporary. I would also look into "training programs" that aren't affiliated with a university. I know CLI studios just started one and I think Peridance might have a programs as well. These programs are often a bit more "up to date" in their styles, however the downside is that they do not have a degree associated with them. However, some of them do coordinate schedules with local colleges so you can still pursue a degree.
Sorry for such a long answer haha. I wish I could compile a longer list, but if you have any other questions let me know :)
Hey! Thank you so much for this video. Hope you're still answering questions. I'm in middle school and I've been dancing for a few years. But I just started ballet. How much time do you think I should train/dance per week? Not only ballet but in general.
I personally danced everyday (mon-sat) when I was in high school. But I know friends who didn't have a schedule like mine that are also majoring in dance. Training isn't just about the amount of time, but also about the quality. If you want to major in dance in college you will most likely be dancing everyday, so also keep that in mind. Since you are in middle school, I would say if you want to dance everyday you should go for it! but you still have time, so if you have other interests or hobbies don't give those up (they might even help your dancing in the future). Hope this helps, please let me know if you have any other questions or if I can help in anyway :)
Thank you 😊
Hey!
I already have a degree in mass communication but I want a master in dance, which college would you recommend?
This is superhelpful!
I was so confused when I was applying, so I'm glad I could help you out a little. I'm currently editing some more videos with tips I learned that I'll be posting soon in case you want some more info!
I don’t know if you’re answering questions anymore now, I love the fact that you mentioned you had a friend who was in the program where she major in Kinesiology and had a emphasis on “dance”. I love dancing and I know I’ll never dread getting out of bed to do something I love, but I’m also wanting to be a personal trainer as to where I love workout too. How was she able to do that? What was the steps/process??
I don't know a whole lot about that particular program. I believe it was at one of the California Schools. I would look those up first. I just googled and found that Indiana University also might have one. The process will be different for every college, but hopefully that gives you a bit of a starting point. I wish I had more info for you but let me know if there are any more questions I can help out with!
Thank youu! I will!
I am intrested in becoming a dance major and I am a Freshman in high school any recommendations? 💃🏻😀
Wow you're ahead of the game! I would say if you want to look around/research colleges, go to shows or watch videos that would probably be a good idea. But as a freshman, I think you should focus your time on really training, studying, and enjoying high school! There is plenty of time to stress about college in the future, so do some research if it's fun for you, but don't stress out now. Just enjoy dancing :)
what kinds of career paths do these different types of dance colleges lead you down? I'm looking to dance in college and possibly dance professionally, but I want a good academic education to fall back on if that doesn't work out. like can I dance in college and be a dance major and still become like a vet or physical therapist later in life?
also is it impossible to do a double major with a bfa? cuz I still want to perform and progress in my dancing in order to be able to be a professional (hope that makes sense) and do something academic as well
Hi! There are many different careers that dance majors go on to have. A lot go into performing, choreographing, teaching, physical therapy, arts management, etc. And of course some people complete a dance degree and move into a different field that they enjoy. If you complete a dance BA or BFA you will be able to apply for master programs and beyond, so if you want to be a vet or physical therapist after a dance career, that option will still be available. If you attend a 4 year undergrad for your BA or BFA, this should keep all further academic routes open for you. I have talked a bit in some videos about "training programs" which give you a certificate at the end, these are the programs that are not affiliated with a college and you would have to attend a bachelor's program in addition to the dance training program, but as long as you find a university/college you should be good! Also, yes, many dancers in a BFA can double major. Some college make it more difficult and others it is a bit easier. I would definitely ask the college's dance program beforehand how possible it is. I have a friend at my college who is double majoring with Kinesiology and dance. One thing to be aware of is that double majoring with an intense dance program sometimes (but not always) means you have to stay an extra semester or year (or take summer classes) in order to complete all of the degree requirements. Last things before I completely bore you to death lol, is that there are some programs that are not dance "performance" based. I have a friend who got a physical therapy degree, but it had an emphasis on dance, so he took dance classes every day and performed, however, he was technically a physical therapy major. Sorry for such a long response, but I hope it was helpful! Let me know if you need any clarification or if you have any more questions :)
Okay so I started taking ballet classes when I was 7 and had to stop when I was 10, due to financial issues and my parents are trying to help me get back into it this or next year but I wanted to ask, can I still get into a school if Im still learning because I took a long break but I still want a dance future ❤
Every dancer is still learning, doesn't matter how long they have been training! If you've taken a very significant break and don't yet have a fundamental technique, to be honest it will be very difficult to get into a large or conservatory program. These are very competitive to get into, but there are lots of really great dance programs that are smaller or are at smaller universities or community colleges. Some of these programs also don't require auditions to major, so maybe look into programs with that option. Good luck!
@@margaretpughdance Thank you so much for the encouragement and information!! I'm 15 right now so hopefully I can get back into a dance studio next year so I can get better technique and get back into the experience before college. ❤️
i need help! so i’m a beginner to dance as a senior on high school, and i truly want to be a dance major after high school to a university. what do i do if im not that good?
practice everyday so you’ll be good
@@beomgayuu i would like too, but this year i’m gonna be busy and i’m trying to manage dance into it🥲
Hi! I agree that practice is very important, you'd be surprised how much improvement you can make in just a year, but I also understand just how busy senior year can be! If you want to be a dance major, I say you should go for it and audition. If you just began dancing, I wouldn't recommend going for the "big name" schools like NYU or Julliard, as they have a low acceptance rate. However, there are many smaller schools or dance programs that have higher acceptance rates. There is a school near me MTSU, that is a local school, but has a dance program that people really enjoy. I also auditioned for LMU, which has a more relaxed atmosphere (compared to the more competitive atmosphere of "big name" schools). I think a small more low key dance program would suit you nicely (although to be fair I don't know you lol) I think they would give you the time and environment to really excel, and if you "outgrow" the school you can always try and transfer later in your studies (I also know many dancers who did this). I would maybe start with researching local schools and see if any of them have a program you can go and tour/visit. If you don't go to college, there are different ways that you can continue to train. For example, if there is a local studio or small company you could attend classes or look for opportunities to perform with them. You could also try finding a teaching job (if you feel qualified) to practice you choreography (if that is something you are interested in). The two things I have gained from college has been a lot of focus on technique and time to develop or explore and my artistic voice. So when making your schedule maybe keep those two things in mind. I hope this is helpful, feel free to ask other questions or update me! We're all figuring out this dance world together. Good luck :)
kind of quiet but good information
I’m also Margaret and want to be a college dance major
Oh my gosh it's dancing Margaret inception!!
Omg I'm assuming from your sweater your from LV ? Because so am I 😭want to be an acting major or dance major
I'm actually not from LV haha, but I am hoping to move there after college! and if you want to be an acting or dance major you definitely can do it. Let me know if you have any questions, I'd love to help out in any way I can :)
It hurts when you’re a good dancer and you want to go ta dance clg but you were born in an islamic country:)