Should I dance????Ballet/Modern?

Question

I am about to be 20 and i graduated high school at 17. In school I was a officer on my dance team, therefore I was pretty good at modern dance, never ballet. I want to teach dance. OU which is the school near me and that I plan to go to, only offers teaching degrees only in Ballet, Should I go for a performing degree in modern? Or teaching degree in Ballet?? Could I get a teaching job just as easily with a BFA in modern performance?? Im awful at Ballet, Ive been taking classes, but now im not even that good at modern? HELP!!

Answer 1

I think the BFA in modern performance will help you all around. As you said, you're "not even that good at modern," so the program will certainly make you a better modern dancer. You will also have to take a minimum amount of credits/units in ballet, so you will also get better at that. Finally, dance students get better training from teachers who have had performing experience, so your dance degree will make you a better teacher.

The thing with teaching degrees in dance is that they are rarely needed. Only public schools require official teacher certification, and to teach at the college level you'd need an MFA. Otherwise, most other ballet studios require teachers to earn credentials from an established syllabus program, such as RAD or Cecchetti. Reputable pre-professional schools of dance want their teachers to have professional company experience, not just college.

As for teaching MODERN, however, there isn't a lot of demand for modern classes in pre-professional dance studios, as most dance studios are ballet based. They are more likely to teach jazz and tap before offering modern. Then to add to this confusion, most public school dance programs (if you can even find them) are modern based, so you're back to needing that teaching certificate.

But I still think you're better off in the long run with the BFA in modern performance. If necessary, you could always go back for a really quick Masters in Education to get your teaching certificate.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Do what you love to do for the joy of doing it and for nothing else. If you are not good or do not like Ballet don't do it. There is always a job out there for someone who does modern dance, whether teaching or performing. Best of luck. Dance as though no one is watching.

Answer 3

When you get a degree in modern, you can go to any form of dance with that and pass like you have been dancing your whole life. With that degree under your belt you can open and teach a wide range of dances. Ballet takes time, there is many many MANY people who will gladly come to a studio and dance with you, but there are many more if you open modern. Numerous dance schools I have been to in the past have the teacher teaching several kinds of dances...ballet, jazz, tap, rumba, ballroom...

Go for something you are good at. Anyone can learn to dance at 20, and if you keep at ballet you will see improvements. But if you are wanting to teach and get a degree, get one with something you are best at. Best of luck to you!

Answer 4

You could probably become a teacher with either degree. I have seen many studio owners and instructors with either a performing degree or a teaching degree. If you go for Modern, the department should let you take the classes you need for the teaching as electives.

Answer 5

well if your taking ballet now and ur getting worse at modern then stick with ballet..i'm sure u'll get better..this is from a girl who takes ballet..it's not that hard..u will get used to it soon enough but do whatever u want it's all up to u!

Answer 6

i think u should do ballet because i think it is fun and I'm in ballet.

Answer 7

Do whatever your heart tells you to.