
Welcome Back to College! A Letter to Seniors in Undergraduate Dance Programs
By Jill Randall, Blog Director
I am sending you best wishes for the coming year! May your final year be filled with new challenges, new connections, and new dreams for the future.
Let me begin by asking you a few questions.
- Where do you envision yourself living in a year?
- What are you passionate about in dance right now?
- Have you discussed these ideas with your advisor in the dance department?
- Have you discussed these ideas with your parents?
I imagine that you have some ideas percolating - now it is time to be in dialogue with the key people in your life who will help make things happen.
If you have not already, completing the self-assessment here on the blog is a valuable tool. Share this with your advisor and parents. Debra Knapp’s writing - entitled “Go Home” - is also important to read and consider.
Next, I encourage you to spend $80 on two key memberships. You still qualify for the student rate. Please consider joining Dance/USA and NDEO. Why?
Dance/USA ($30) - It is the service organization for dance in the United States - companies, non-profits, and individual artists. They run an annual conference. But most importantly for college seniors, their emails include jobs, auditions, and internships around the country. It is the best resource I know about for these kinds of jobs.
NDEO ($50) - NDEO is the National Dance Education Organization. This membership nicely works with the Dance/USA membership, so that between these two you really will have a pulse on dance in the United States and jobs. Again, the NDEO email list lets you know about dance teaching jobs all over the US - community centers, preschools, K-12 schools, and much more.
Then, if you have not done so already, this blog is full of pertinent, current information for you and your parents - city guides, the Becoming a Teaching Artist Series, and over 100 artist profiles from artists around the United States to offer you a window into a life in dance.
Speaking of online resources and information, let’s consider your own online presence. If I Googled you right now, what would come up? Facebook? Consider if you want to have your own website by the time you graduate in the spring. Consider if you need photos taken this school year. Check out options such as Popslice to build a simple website yourself (a "pre-fab" site with templates to use). Other free options include: Wix.com, Weebly.com, Yola.com, and Moonfruit.com.
Okay, I have two more topics to bring up here too.
What are you doing the summer after graduation? Might your family offer you a graduation present? If you have not had the opportunity yet, seriously consider attending one of the iconic dance festivals - the American Dance Festival, Bates, or Jacob’s Pillow. Read more here. This could be an incredible graduation present. As dancer Dawn Robinson shared in her artist profile:
I graduated from the University of Utah in 1996. The day of graduation, literally hours after getting my diploma, I got on a plane and flew to the American Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina. That summer changed my life. Although I had been the summer before, this time I had to make a choice, what to do next? I was excited and terrified. The world was open to me. I had a degree from one of the best schools in the country. I knew I wanted to dance, but how and where? Was I ready to head to New York?
In the amazing 6 weeks at ADF, several things happened; 1) I got approached by a dear friend that was teaching at a dance program in Minnesota. She needed someone to take over the program because she was leaving. She recommended me? 2) I got a call from a mentor choreographer whom I had worked with at the University, the late Della Davidson. She offered me a job with her company in San Francisco, California. 3) At ADF I attended an audition for Dayton Contemporary Dance Company in Ohio, and got offered a position. Although overwhelming at the time, these were some wonderful opportunities, and I needed to choose fast. Mind you, none of the choices included going to New York, but I understood that it would be there when I was ready.
After a late night power talk brainstorming session with my ADF friends at a diner, I made a decision. It would be San Francisco. I had never been, but felt excited to work with Della again and be in California. And at the time, I imagined that I would head to LA if SF didn't work out. With very little money, I headed to the Bay. I spent 7 wonderful years, dancing with Della Davidson Dance, Liss Fain Dance, Dance Repertory San Francisco, Company Chaddick and many others. At the same exact time I started my arts administrative career working for the San Francisco Jazz Festival, Brava Theater Center, and San Francisco Ballet to name a few.
Check out the application and audition information soon for ADF, Bates, and Jacob’s Pillow so that you don’t miss the opportunity.
And, my last idea to offer here is about other jobs that might quickly and easily fit into your life right after graduation. Being realistic, what work can you easily pick up to help earn an income? Securing teaching and performing work takes time. Ideas to consider include:
- Babysitting/nannying
- Working in an afterschool program
- Waitressing/waiting at a restaurant
- Catering work
- Coffee shop
- Retail positions
I wish you well as you begin your senior year. Savor this magical time of life - where you get to dance a ton and are surrounded by friends and teachers every week. Here’s to a great year ahead!
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