Master Those Moves: Your Guide to Post-secondary Dance Programs

Your Guide to Post- Secondary Dance Programs

Pursuing further studies in dance after high school can be both exciting and confusing, but rest assured, as there are a multitude of career pathways in dance. Find out about the different fields of study in dance, and where you can go to start living out those dance dreams!

A Book with Many Chapters

Dance isn’t just confined to performance. It’s a creative art form, which means that it comes with many possibilities. There are programs out there that cater towards dance performance, education, science, studies (historical and cultural research), technology, and therapy.

Not the best decision maker? Luckily, with many programs you can start out with a general dance degree or diploma program, and won’t need to decide your major in dance until your second or third year of study.

The Stage

In dance, you will learn very quickly whether you want to pursue a career in performance and whether you’ve got what it takes. Postsecondary dance performance programs are focused on technique, training, performance, improvisation and choreography. This usually also means that you will encounter fewer academic courses and requirements. It is very important to consider that the reality of dance performance comes with a cap on its longevity. It isn’t to say that there aren’t any active dance performers out there over the age of 40, but the job opportunities naturally become fewer and rarer with age. The experience of performing onstage is rewarding for many, and it can open new doors and career paths through the connections you make. If you want to pursue performance as your major, check out these tertiary dance programs!

Where Curiosity Meets Creativity

Dance science is a growing field, and involves the application and understanding of anatomy and physics to research movements in order to improve the way we approach dance technique, and in turn, reduce injuries. But just as important as the body, is our mind, and dance science can also touch upon dance therapy. Using the body and movement as a tool to connect with our mind and improve our mental and neural health. Dance science allows

dancers a way to still be involved with the arts, without the constraints of time and age. Here are some fantastic dance science programs offered around the world!

Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance University of Chichester

The University of Edinburgh

Indiana University

Dancing In Town

If you’ve got a perfectly good dance program in your town and enjoy the benefits of staying at home, then there’s no need to look any further! Plus, by staying in a place that you are familiar with, you can build upon the communities and connections that you’ve already established a rapport with. But don’t be fooled, there are always new experiences to be had even in a place you’ve lived all your life! If you’re unsure about whether you want to study in town or go abroad, then apply to schools both at home and outside, that way you can compare and contrast what schools and programs interest you the most. Check out these local tertiary dance programs in Hong Kong and around Southeast Asia.

The School of Dance at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts |

LASALLE College of the Arts

Taipei National University of Arts |

Beijing Dance Academy |

Road Trip!...Or Flight Trip!

So you’ve had enough with your city or town and want a fresh new start! Or maybe you’re dying to know what the grass is like on the other side? Studying dance abroad is a fantastic way to step outside your comfort zone, and challenge yourself to take on new experiences and opportunities! It’s also a way to become more independent and pave your own path. But there are definitely things to be considered, such as finances, visas, language barriers, accommodation, etc., so be sure to read our online article, The Big Leap: Studying Dance Abroad for more tips and considerations for studying dance abroad.

Queensland University of Technology The University of Melbourne

University of Otago

The University of Auckland

Zurich University of the Arts

University of Hawaii

Ryerson University

York University

George Brown College

Purchase College, SUNY Conservatory of Dance

The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance at CalArts

The University of the Arts

Boston Conservatory at Berklee

This dance journey is yours to be discovered, and at the end of the day it is your decision to make! To be able to study dance in school is such a luxury, because you get to do what you love, moving-it and shaking-it from morning until night. But if you find that you are not a fan of your dance program, don’t get discouraged, remember that nothing is set in stone, and that you can always change schools, programs or majors. The important thing is to give it a go and try!