The lyrics to an old song go, “Do ya, do ya, do ya, do ya wanna dance?” Judging from the large audiences for TV shows like Dancing With the Stars, most people would probably answer that question in the affirmative. But, some people want to do more than just dance with a partner in a nightclub. They want to make a full career out of it, dancing on stage in front of thousands of people or on television in front of millions. They want to be ballet dancers or folk dancers. They want to dance like Fred Astaire or like Michael Jackson. If that’s your ambition, you’ll definitely want to go to dance school. But, how do you choose which dance school to go to? Here are some things you might want to take into consideration.
Cost: Can you afford the tuition at the dance school? Before you decide, understand that there are a number of ways in which you can fund your education. Many organizations, particularly the United States government, have funds in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans for students who can show financial need or who show particular promise based on their high school or community college grades. Go to the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) Web site. There, you’ll find the FAFSA form, which can help you to apply simultaneously for a large number of funding options. Student loans will need to be paid back, generally beginning after graduation (though the interest is usually low), but grants and scholarships are essentially free, so try and qualify for them first.
Location: Is there a good a dance school near where you live? Perhaps you have a job that you can’t leave, or your family is counting on you. In that case, you’ll need to find dance schools within easy commuting distance are the best option. (Remember that you don’t want to spend hours driving to and from classes and rehearsals.) If you can afford to move away from home, find a good school in an exciting place to live. You may even like it so much that you’ll decide to stay there and join a local dance troupe.
Prestige: Is the dance school well known? Will it help catch the attention of possible employers? The more prestigious a school is, the more you’re bound to pay in tuition. However, the prestige of the school will also help you earn enough money at your profession to more than pay for the extra expense. And, it may speed up the transition to your career as a professional dancer if the school is well known.
Staff: Are the teachers at the dance school recognized? Remember, these are the people who will help you make contacts, find your first job, and give recommendations.
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