For many teenage dance students, especially those who aim to become professional dancers, there are lots of big decisions to be made ahead. Some may be on the cusp of their future, wondering what to do after school, whether to study solely dance at college or even whether to try to immediately pursue a professional career.
The choice is always relative to the individual, and there is no objective advice that will be useful to every scenario. Some young dancers may feel they need extra training and experience in dance before trying to audition for professional work, and some may be confident they can enter the big wide world already. Some dancers do not see themselves attending college, some may return to studying after a stint of performing and others may study first, with the course suiting their needs.
Further study of dance offers students more time to hone their technique, take classes in different styles and even perform regularly as part of their studies. This study may also open up a vast skill set and the opportunity to pursue other job opportunities in the industry, such as choreographing or critiquing, rather than purely performing. Confidence builds and there is much focus on the dancer's growth and artistry as an individual. For those seeking longevity in their dance career, a college dance degree may prove to be an invaluable resource, through making connections and expanding learning.
However some students may want to take on the performing arts world straight away, worrying about being too old after studying dance for many years. If you are confident that all you want to do is perform and that you don’t want to do something else later on in life, then use that time to audition and perform while you’re young. Ultimately, be content with your choice as there is no right or wrong journey - do what is best for you.
College questions
For many teenage dance students, especially those who aim to become professional dancers, there are lots of big decisions to be made ahead. Some may be on the cusp of their future, wondering what to do after school, whether to study solely dance at college or even whether to try to immediately pursue a professional career.
The choice is always relative to the individual, and there is no objective advice that will be useful to every scenario. Some young dancers may feel they need extra training and experience in dance before trying to audition for professional work, and some may be confident they can enter the big wide world already. Some dancers do not see themselves attending college, some may return to studying after a stint of performing and others may study first, with the course suiting their needs.
Further study of dance offers students more time to hone their technique, take classes in different styles and even perform regularly as part of their studies. This study may also open up a vast skill set and the opportunity to pursue other job opportunities in the industry, such as choreographing or critiquing, rather than purely performing. Confidence builds and there is much focus on the dancer's growth and artistry as an individual. For those seeking longevity in their dance career, a college dance degree may prove to be an invaluable resource, through making connections and expanding learning.
However some students may want to take on the performing arts world straight away, worrying about being too old after studying dance for many years. If you are confident that all you want to do is perform and that you don’t want to do something else later on in life, then use that time to audition and perform while you’re young. Ultimately, be content with your choice as there is no right or wrong journey - do what is best for you.