TDA Prep's 2023 College Review

JUNE 2023

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LETTER FROM THE DIRECTORS

Welcome to The Dance Artist Prep’s 2023 College Review!

To the dancers, parents, and teachers that have downloaded this year’s review, we’re excited you’re here and hope that you find what you’re looking for!

Through TDA Prep we’ve been coaching dance families through the college application process for more than a decade and we’ve seen the challenges of trying to find the right program to support your dreams. From families not knowing the right questions to ask or how to distinguish between programs, this uncertainty can create an anxious application process and ultimately a terrible college experience.

Nobody wants that.

The 2023 College Review is here to offer a view of the college landscape and how you should maneuver within it to achieve your goals. Everyone has a different dream, so we attempted to cover a wide range of schools that are considered leaders in the dance industry. In the years to follow, the school list will continue to expand. This is a big investment for your family, and fortunately it’s an investors market.

Before we get started, there are a few things we want you to know about the following pages:

• The written profile of each school includes a video interview with the Director of the dance department and our perspective on the school, based on what we know about the program, the interview, and the alumni. Within each profile we’ll provide a summary of our takeaway from the full discussion.

• We’ve selected a standout school based on our interviews. This is not the ‘best’ school by any means (there’s no such thing). The Standout School is doing things in an exceptional way that we think people should pay attention to. We’ll tell you what the school is doing that's noteworthy, but we’re not placing this school above or below any others.

• The interviews feature the same questions and we let the conversation flow freely around those questions. The goal is for you to feel like you’re watching two friends discuss all of the details that you need to know about a school’s dance program. How people present information and what they choose to present can help you see if you’re aligned with their vision.

All in all, we hope that you find the 2023 College Review a major help in navigating the overwhelming process of choosing and applying to the right colleges. Here at The Dance Artist Prep, we’ve dedicated our lives to helping dancers find the right path, so let this College Review be a resource for you! If you need any more information, feel free to reach out to us.

Enjoy the 2023 College Review!

Preston Miller and Jacqueline Green Miller

DANCE COLLEGE MASTERCLASS

The Dance College Masterclass is the perfect Introduction to the College Season, providing everything you need to best understand the unique value that every College Profile puts forth.

The Dance College Masterclass comes from our Dance Parent Workshop series that we host twice per month for our clients. Jump to 22:00 into the video to get right to learning about the different professional dance careers and how the college journey works to get you there!

MAP OF

SCHOOLS / DIRECTORS

BOSTON CONSERVATORY AT BERKLEE Tommy Neblett

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY Melanie Person

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY Sean Curran

PACE UNIVERSITY Rhonda Miller

POINT PARK UNIVERSITY Susan Stowe

SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY Carter Alexander

THE JUILLIARD SCHOOL Alicia Graf Mack

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA Duane Cyrus

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS Donna Faye Burchfield

UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD Stephen Pier

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY DeeAnna Hiett

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Endalyn Outlaw

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Anne Aubert-Santelli

The Dance Division

BOCO

Boston Conservatory at Berklee, affectionately known as BOCO, has something special to offer the dancer that’s curious and open about where their journey can take them.

BOCO specializes in Ballet & Modern techniques, but also offers a wide range of styles from Hip Hop to Contemporary including a brand new Commercial Dance track. Dancers from all backgrounds can come to BOCO and learn the skills necessary to pursue a successful career in the arts. Building an educational track for commercial dancers within institutions is still fairly new, and BOCO is bravely forging a path for commercial dancers to pursue both a career and degree simultaneously.

This is not a sports-driven campus providing a traditional college

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experience but rather a home for artists that are motivated and curious about how they can make a contribution to the dance community. Dancers here work with choreographers that you would expect a great dance program to host, however it’s the background and day-to-day of BOCO’s experience that makes it unique.

The Dean of the Dance Department is Tommy Neblett and you can hear from him directly in the video interview on this page. Mr. Neblett first joined the conservatory in 1994 and was asked to lead the department in 2018.

The key word in the name is Conservatory, meaning you won’t find the traditional college course load of a STEM-based core curriculum. Instead, you’ll find dozens of high level liberal arts classes, a partnership with the Berklee School of Music, and an inspiring campus that all contribute to a dancer earning their B.F.A. in either Concert or Commercial dance.

You can learn more about Boston Conservatory at Berklee by clicking here.

DEAN OF DANCE Tommy Neblett

WITH THE AILEY SCHOOL

Dance Department

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AILEY/ FORDHAM

Fordham University’s partnership program with The Ailey School, known as the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program, is a home for dancer’s being stretched both athletically and intellectually. The program has long been a gold standard for the dance BFA model for two big reasons:

1. The rigorous dance schedule one would attribute to the official school of the largest modern dance company in the world, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

2. The academic reputation and athletic rigor of a Division-II school, Fordham University.

Dancers with backgrounds in both commercial and concert dance learn to work at the pace of an elite performer.

Ailey is not a dance institution for those that don’t enjoy working hard athletically every day, and Fordham compliments that hard work with intellectual stimulation provided in a mediumsized, traditional college environment. The biggest thing that stands out about the Ailey/Fordham program is its ability for students to work a professional job while also completing school without having to take any time off. This is major if you think you’ll book work during college.

The Director of the Dance Program is Melanie Person and you can hear from her directly in the video interview on this page. Ms. Person became the Director in 2011 and also serves as Co-Director of The Ailey School.

To meet the requirements for your B.F.A. you will complete a common core to satisfy Fordham, and a Ballet, Horton, Graham based model of training to satisfy Ailey. Both institutions do a great job of giving dancers the experience they promise, making the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program a great home for dancers interested in both high level academics and high level dance training.

You can learn more about the Ailey/ Fordham BFA program by clicking here. Return

DIRECTOR OF THE BFA PROGRAM Melanie Person

TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

Dance Department

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NYU Tisch

CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DANCE Sean Curran

New York University has the name recognition and reputation for academic greatness that is a staple in the curriculum of the Tisch Dance Department at NYU. The program is great for dancers that want to get a degree quickly while spending time in New York City. This program is not for those afraid of homework, so we especially recommend it for dancers that are also interested in careers around dance like choreography, medicine, and the theater.

The Director of the Dance Department is Sean Curran and you can hear from him directly in the video interview on this page. Mr. Curran has been a choreographer and staple of NYC's post-modern dance scene for the last few decades.

In 2023, taking ballet everyday is a staple of every serious BFA

Program and NYU doesn’t disappoint. Their Modern focus also sets this program apart from its New York City counterparts. While other schools focus on Horton and Graham techniques, NYU’s Modern foundation is more postmodern, offering more dialogue and thoughtfulness as opposed to sheer athleticism.

The campus of NYU is quite literally the village of New York City. That can be great for dancers interested in the raw artistry that the city has to offer. The biggest thing to highlight is that NYU’s program is 3 years and 2 summers of dance, so dancers should be prepared to train year-round in the city. The student body is focused and task-oriented, and this energy permeates throughout the department.

Dancers interested in a post-modern curriculum and approach to concert dance should consider training at NYU.

You can learn more about the Tisch Department of Dance at NYU by clicking here

Commercial Dance Program

PACE

PACE University provides the ideal home environment for dancers, with a focus in commercial styles. As one of the only pure commercially-focused high level programs, PACE provides a unique flair through its backdrop of New York City. PACE’s dance department has a diversity rare to most programs with dancer’s ranging from hip-hop strengths to strong classical technique. In addition to training, dancers learn how to navigate the audition process and grind culture that every commercial dancer has to master.

The Director of the Dance Department is Rhonda Miller and you can hear from her directly in the video interview on this page. Ms. Miller created the dance program at PACE before commercial dance programs were popular, making her a pioneer of the industry. The

success of the program is a reflection of her innovation.

The campus of PACE is the financial district of New York City, giving it the true ‘concrete jungle’ feel. Los Angeles is the mecca of commercial dance, and PACE acknowledges the significance of LA to a commercial dancer’s career and offers a rare opportunity for dancers to train in LA for a semester. As a result, the program provides education and preparation for a dancer looking to get work on either coast, and introduces that dancer to an expansive network before having to enter the professional space.

PACE has a location and curriculum that make it an extremely rare environment for serious commercial dancers. If you’re coming from a competition or hip-hop background and dream of working within the entertainment world as a dancer, choreographer, or creative director you should take a serious look at the dance department at PACE University.

You can learn more about the Pace University’s Commercial Dance BFA program by clicking here.

Return to Table of Contents by clicking here.

HEAD OF COMMERCIAL DANCE Rhonda Miller

Dance Department

POINT PARK

The program at Point Park is rooted in intense training, an expansive curriculum, and institutional support, making the school an attractive choice for dancers of all backgrounds. Dance majors choose concentrations in Ballet, Jazz, or Modern, creating an environment of support and collaboration as students pursue different ambitions while training together.

The Chair of the Dance Department is Susan Stowe and you can hear from her directly in the video interview on this page. Ms. Stowe has a diverse experience as a dancer, director, and stager of choreography. Ms. Stowe’s background and expertise gives her an awareness of the work required for a dancer to be successful in the industry.

Like most other schools in the College Review, Point Park creates strong dancers prepared for the professional concert or commercial world, however it’s important to highlight their commitment to education. The Program gives dancers the opportunity to earn a Masters Degree in Education simultaneously, which is a plus for dancers that are interested in teaching.

Point Park is a small private institution located in downtown Pittsburgh giving it a unique flair, and dancers more individualized attention in class. The school also offers sports, arts, and a plethora of other opportunities for students that want it, but the dance program is demanding enough to take up most of their time. Dancers interested in a strong community of artists on the East Coast but not necessarily in New York City, should seriously consider Point Park.

You can learn more about the dance program at Point Park University by clicking here.

CHAIR OF DANCE Susan Stowe

Division of Dance

SMU

INTERIM CHAIR OF THE DIVISION OF DANCE Carter Alexander

Southern Methodist University (SMU) has a dance program we recommend for dancers who are interested in ballet, modern, and jazz, and who are equally interested in pursuing a double major in college. In this year's College Review, SMU’s Meadows School for the Arts is the school that is completely different from the other programs because of one big factor: How much time you spend dancing in the program. SMU’s dance department requires less training time compared to other programs in order to allow dancers to pursue multiple degrees just as seriously as they are pursuing their dance degree.

The stand-in Director of the Dance Department during the time of our interview was Carter Alexander, and you can hear from him directly in the video on this page. The normal Chair

of the Department, Christopher Dolder was away on a research project. SMU is a Research 1 university, meaning that faculty and students are heavily incentivized and encouraged to pursue research projects through scholarships and doctorate programs. This is a great opportunity for dancers that are just as academically curious as they are artistically.

The campus at SMU lies in the heart of Dallas, which gives the campus the personality of a small city within a big metro area. The traditional college campus provides a school experience that includes sporting events, sororities/fraternities, and big campus culture, giving the dance department a flair that matches its curriculum.

Concert, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Jazz Dancers that are interested in a traditional college experience while pursuing a double major with dance should take a serious look at the dance program Southern Methodist University has to offer.

You can learn more about the dance program at Southern Methodist University by clicking here.

Return to Table of Contents by clicking here.

Dance Division

JUILLIARD

Juilliard has long been the gold standard for conservatorylevel dance education, and they earn their reputation. The brand is known far and wide thanks to movies and other publicity, and because of this students ask themselves, “Am I good enough to go here?” more than they ask, “Is this the right school for me?” Juilliard is a home for dancers that are both curious and obsessed with the pursuit of their potential both athletically and artistically. Both competition and concert dancers interested in exploring the depths of the concert dance world will find the curriculum and backdrop of New York City inspiring and fulfilling.

The Director of the Dance Division is Alicia Graf Mack and you can hear from her directly in the video interview on this page. Mrs. Mack is a renowned performer in her own right, gaining legendary status through stellar careers

with the Dance Theater of Harlem, Alvin Ailey, and as a guest artist. The best part is that Alicia has the experience and knowledge to prepare dancers for the life they always dreamed of.

Unlike traditional colleges, Juilliard does not offer a sports presence or a full academic curriculum. The conservatory instead offers a rich curriculum of elite training and exposure to some of the greatest actors, musicians, and artists of their generation. Oftentimes dancers ask if having a degree from a traditional college is better for the long term job potential and our reply is simple:

If you go to Juilliard, the mere curiosity and name recognition will open a lot of the same doors that a traditional college degree will after your career. It’s more about how you want to spend your four years of college.

Concert, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, and Competition Dancers that are interested in high level arts exposure in New York City should give Juilliard serious consideration.

You can learn more about the Dance Division at the Juilliard School by clicking here.

DEAN AND DIRECTOR OF THE DANCE DIVISION Alicia Graf Mack

School of Dance

ARIZONA

The University of Arizona does a great job with all of their dancers, but we especially love how they help dancers transition from competitive backgrounds to a professional presentation and awareness. U of A’s Dance department is also known for its “Triple-Track” program meaning dancers can study ballet, modern, and jazz with equal emphasis. Their dance department is larger than most schools in this year’s College Review, which cultivates a diverse student body with a wide range of artists to grow alongside and learn from.

The Director of the Dance Department is Duane Cyrus and you can hear from him directly in the video interview on this page. Mr. Cyrus will be finishing his first year in the position during the summer of 2023. His contribution to the dance world is undeniable and his

enthusiasm for expanding the vision of this program is palpable.

The traditional college campus at U of A provides a school experience that’s amazing for a team oriented student. Sporting events, sororities/fraternities, and big campus culture provide an environment that is rare at most serious dance programs.

Concert, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, and Competition Dancers that are interested in a traditional college experience while pursuing dance at a high level should take a serious look at the dance program the University of Arizona has to offer.

You can learn more about the University of Arizona School of Dance by clicking here.

DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL OF DANCE Duane Cyrus

SCHOOL OF DANCE

School of Dance

UARTS

University of the Arts (UArts) does a great job graduating dancers ready to pursue a career in the contemporary/modern concert and commercial dance worlds. Dancers from classical, modern, contemporary, and even hiphop backgrounds can find a home at UArts that cultivates their curiosity and challenges them to be themselves while finding their place in the professional world. What we love is that the program pushes the athletic intensity of a toptier dance program, while taking the time to reflect on what’s possible within creativity and artistry.

The Dean of the Dance Department is Donna Faye Burchfield and you can hear from her directly in the video interview on this page. Having served as a leader in dance education for several decades, Ms. Burchfield is well equipped with the experience and vision to run a strong

department for growing student-dance artists.

The campus is located in Philadelphia which gives it a big-city flair without the same distractions of New York City, though NYC is extremely accessible. UArts is an art school, so the influence of artists creating is felt in almost every program, especially in moments of collaboration. Dancers that are passionate about their craft and inner workings of the profession will find a community of artists that are likeminded in the pursuit of their own personal greatness. That can be very inspiring for the right student.

UArts has developed an elite artistic curriculum within a university structure, and it’s important to understand that their diverse course offerings are purely arts focused. The program matches its great reputation, and dancers that are interested in an arts-focused college experience should take a serious look at the dance program UArts has to offer.

You can learn more about the dance program at the University of the Arts by clicking here.

DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF DANCE Donna Faye Burchfield

THE HARTT SCHOOL

Dance Division

THE HARTT SCHOOL

OF DANCE Stephen Pier

The Hartt Dance Division at the University of Hartford has been a best kept secret for concert dancers over the last several years. Close enough to New York City to attract top tier teachers and remote enough to offer the vast school experience of a performing arts school, Hartt School has something unique to offer dancers interested in high level training in a smaller, more personalized program.

The Artistic Director of the Dance Division is Stephen Pier and you can hear from him directly in the video interview on this page. Mr. Pier has been at the heart of the program since being recruited for the position in 2009. It’s the care that he shows to each dancer’s journey through high impact trips to NYC, professional

exposure, and prioritizing the student first, that makes The Hartt School this year’s 2023 Outstanding School.

The program at Hartt provides a training experience rooted in a strong concert dance understanding, preparing dancers to be great performers, teachers, and choreographers. Their ballet pedagogy program is what makes them unique on paper and establishes a culture of learning in every class, rehearsal, and performance.

For those curious about exploring their athleticism and artistry, and have a hunger to be a concert dancer, the Hartt School has something unique to offer at a high level.

You can learn more about the Hartt Dance Division at the University of Hartford by clicking here.

DIRECTOR

Dance Division

UMKC

The dance division at the University of MissouriKansas City (UMKC) has a reputation for giving dancers transitioning from competitive backgrounds and local studio training a real awareness of the professional landscape. UMKC’s dance division is diverse and driven by performance and theory, making it an attractive landing spot for dancers that are used to having options. Unlike most programs in this year’s College Review, UMKC has a pointe-driven ballet focus and modern focus that leaves room for honoring the past while exploring what can be possible in the future.

Dancers at UMKC get to work with many contemporary choreographers but they also have the rare opportunity to perform classical ballet and modern works through their Great Works Projects. The program is also unique in that it encourages dancers to take

advantage of the allotted 2 week leave per semester to dance professionally in order to better prepare them for the transition from student to professional.

The Chair of the Dance Division is DeeAnna Hiett and you can hear from her directly in the video interview on this page. Ms. Hiett has performed with some of the biggest companies and organizations in the world and has the diverse experience to hold her students to a high standard.

The midwest culture and traditional college campus provides an environment that will feel familiar and welcoming to students uninterested in attending schools on the East or West Coast. Sporting events, sororities/fraternities, and big campus culture give the dance division a flair that makes the dancer’s experience that much more full.

Dancers that are interested in training in ballet and modern equally who desire a traditional college experience with a midwest appeal should take a serious look at the dance program UMKC has to offer.

You can learn more about the dance program at the University of MissouriKansas City by clicking here. Return

CHAIR OF DANCE DeeAnna Hiett

School of Dance

UNSCA

The Dance Department at the University of North Carolina School for the Arts (UNCSA) merges the transcendent environment of an arts high school with the rigor and discipline of a great collegiate program. Dancers choose between contemporary and ballet concentrations, though they train together. The dance department has a rich background as an arts organization committed to the growth and success of their artists, and their new director has brought a culture to the campus making it a welcoming home for all students.

The Dean of the Dance Department is Endalyn Outlaw and you can hear from her directly in the video interview on this page. As a performer, Endalyn was a legend with the Dance Theater of Harlem and guest performer across the world. She brings that experience to the dance department where she

is elevating what is possible for the talented dancers at UNCSA both on and off of the dance floor.

The campus life at UNCSA is less traditional as the school follows a Conservatory model. The typical college experience and curriculum is replaced with a dynamic community of musicians, actors, designers, and visual artists which can be a life changing experience for the right student.

It’s rare that a program so far away from a major arts hub is able to bring the level of training needed to create nationally relevant artists, however UNCSA consistently rises to the challenge. Concert dancers that are interested in immersing themselves in an arts environment while they train and grow should take a serious look at the dance program at UNCSA.

DEAN OF DANCE Endalyn T. Outlaw

GLORYA KAUFMAN SCHOOL OF DANCE LOS

School of Dance

USC

The Glorya Kaufman School of Dance at the University of Southern California (USC) is quickly becoming one of the most appealing schools to young dancers interested in commercial and contemporary dance. The program is fairly new and boasts a partnership with one of the most attractive universities in the country, making it a powerhouse of a BFA program. Over the last few years dance at USC has shifted away from prioritizing classical ‘technique’ to the exploration of how styles like Hip-Hop, Jazz, Improvisation, Tap, Dancehall, and Contemporary can influence our understanding and capabilities. Dancers are encouraged, sometimes challenged even, to question what they’ve been taught and if it is truly serving them.

The Associate Dean of Academic and Student Life is Anne Aubert-Santelli,

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who has been with the program since its inception. You can hear from Ms. Aubert-Santelli directly in the video interview on this page. The Dean of the Dance Department, Julia Ritter is filling big shoes after a complete shift in direction brought her into leadership.

USC is your traditional college experience in the largest way possible for serious and driven dancers. The program capitalizes on the University by allowing minors, double majors, and electives that won’t be found in a Conservatory. Dancers have the ability to stay in the bubble of arts or experience the fullness that the campus has to offer all within the backdrop of sunny California.

Dancers that are interested in continuing their development beyond the traditional techniques and exploring how other styles can affect their movement should give the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance at USC serious consideration.

You can learn more about the dance program at USC by clicking here.

ASSOCIATE DEAN OF ACADEMIC AND STUDENT LIFE Anne Aubert-Santelli

EVERY ELEMENT OF APPLYING TO COLLEGE FOR DANCE, HANDLED !

The CCP presents both parents and dancers with the reality of the college landscape, helping them to think like an admissions officer. Beyond the webinars, audition prep classes, and spreadsheets, The Dance Artist Prep guides, mentors, and partners with College Candidates throughout every season of the college process:

During Planning Season, we learn about your big dreams and personal dynamics that could shape your college experience. Based on that, we create YOUR college list and application spreadsheet. Once we specify and organize your goals, we're all set to go!

Application Season marks the start of the journey. While the Common App handles most academic requirements, Dance Departments have a distinct set of requirements including extra essays, applications, and prescreen videos. Dancers usually have to write two essays for each college and some schools require multiple audition videos with their application. We’ve got you covered!

Audition Season is your time to shine! The preparation you did during Planning Season will keep you organized and focused on delivering your best performance in the room where it happens!

Acceptance Season is the most exciting part of the journey, but we're not finished yet! This is when you can negotiate or "appeal" your scholarship offers to secure as much financial support as possible for your top choices.

The year of hard work culminates with our College Signing Day, where the Class of 2024 travels to Chicago to reveal their chosen destination for the next chapter of their journey.

To discover more about the College Candidate Program, click here.

WALL OF FAME

We are excited to present a list of TDA Prep's notable College & Professional Clients who are making their mark in the dance industry. These accomplished individuals have successfully navigated the transition from their academic pursuits to professional life, and we are thrilled to showcase their trajectories as an inspiration to all.

COMPLEXIONS CONTEMPORARY BALLET

Jasmine Cruz

ROYAL BALLET SCHOOL (FULL SCHOLARSHIP)

Brigid Walker

ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER

Courtney Celeste Spears

FORMER DANCER W/DUTCH NATIONAL BALLET

Joey Massarelli

DANCE MOMS

Sophia Lucia

THE JUILLIARD SCHOOL & HUBBARD STREET

Morgan Clune

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA & GUS GIORDANO

Erina Ueda

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

Carley Brooks

PROFESSIONAL FREELANCE DANCER

Timmorie Freeman

LINES AT DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY

Rilel Beene

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

Julia Lie

THE JUILLIARD SCHOOL

Katrina Hidalgo

SUNY PURCHASE

Eva Sulcer

THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

Damerah Coleman

THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI CCM

Kelsey Lewis

NYU TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

Laila White

HIPLET & PROFESSIONAL FREELANCE DANCER

Nia Towe

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS

Olivia Eaton

If you represent a college program that would like to be featured in the College Review please contact our School Administrator, Heath Gustafson, at heath@tdaprep.com.

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