[Member Blog] Erica Frankel: Dance & New Media in Universities

My alma mater, NYU, now boasts a Dance and New Media program  housed within the NYU Tisch Dance program. I think it’s a pretty cool, and important, step forward for a college dance program. Check it out:

 

Do you know of any other dance programs doing interesting work with emerging media?

[MEMBER BLOG] Eveline: Educating the 21st Century Dancer (Part 2)

Continuing to examine how educational models have and should continue to evolve, my relocation to NYC in 2009 has continued to shape my philosophy and approach. The educator has a unique role in interpreting that bridge between the young dancer and the professional world. Defining that bridge is a responsibility not to be taken lightly and will ultimately guide and shape what your student perceives to be “good,” “right,” or “progress.” But relative to what? Who is the 21st Century Dancer and what qualities does he/she embody?

I believe that Dancer to be intelligent and curious, and a collaborator in the creative process. Rather than belonging to a single company but multiple projects, his/her freelancing nature allows opportunities to reinterpret his/her identity time and time again. Having the malleability and ability to articulate each choreographer’s vision means more than great technique or ability to memorize phrases, but being actively engaged and open to challenge.

[MEMBER BLOG] Eveline: Educating the 21st Century Dancer (Part 1)

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work in dance education in many different settings: from third graders to PhD students, complete novices to established choreographers, and tendus to non-profit management, I’m constantly reevaluating my role and responsibility both to the field and the student. However, the path to a career in dance has become increasingly less defined – even within the last decade – and poses the major question of how can we effectively prepare young people for their futures in dance?

The options and choices were much more black and white when I began first taking dance seriously – you spent as much time in class as possible, hopefully earning yourself a spot in a top summer dance program or professional school, and then trained endlessly until you landed a contract with your dream company. Even after progressing onto a BFA program with a greater diversity of training, I was still enshrined in the traditional conservatory model of technique and performance. These highly vocational experiences are still totally relevant and valued by the field, but these are hardly the only options today, nor the only indicators of what defines success as a dancer.

[MEMBER BLOG] Kaylen: Dance in College

I graduated from the University of California, Irvine over five years ago and am astounded with how deeply connected I still am to the alumni and teachings of my university. I do not regret for a second my college choice or my decision to major in dance and minor in education. I always feel like I took full advantage of the courses, professors, performing opportunities, clubs and outreach education training that the school had to offer. My career would be completely different right now without my UCI experience and I would recommend it to anyone.