On Sunday, October 18, Dancewave welcomed over 300 high school students from across the country at NYC’s 92Y Harkness Center to experience a unique event for dancers. This college preparatory event provided students with a rare opportunity to learn, participate and audition for dance programs in over 40 colleges and universities across the United States. The event included a college fair, informative panels on admissions and dance career options as well as peer-to-peer discussions, dance classes taught by renowned faculty at Middlebury and Hunter Colleges, and spectacular showcase performance highlighting selected national dance programs, with plenary remarks by DEL Founder, Jody Gottfried Arnhold.


COLLEGE FAIR

The event started with a college fair that provided students with invaluable face-to-face time with college representatives, providing networking opportunities as well as access to information about each college’s unique programs. Participating colleges included Adelphi University, American Musical & Dramatic Academy (AMDA), California Institute of the Arts, Cedar Crest College, Cornish College of the Arts, Denison University, DeSales University, Drexel University, George Mason University, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Hofstra University, Hunter College, Kent State University, Lehman College, Marymount Manhattan College, Miami Dade College- New World School of the Arts, Middlebury College, Montclair State University, NYU Tisch, Ohio State University, Pace University, Peridance Capezio Center, Rider University, Roger Williams University, Rutgers University, Steps Conservatory Program, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Purchase College, Temple University, The Boston Conservatory, The Juilliard School, The New School, Towson University, University at Buffalo, University of Hartford, University of Maryland, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Michigan, University of Southern California, University of the Arts, University of Wisconsin and Virginia Commonwealth University.


PEER TO PEER SESSIONS

After the college fair, students were led into peer-to-peer sessions where they had the opportunity to talk with current students and alumni from different schools about the wide range of programs offered by various dance departments and their experiences within these programs. These sessions let participants get a better feel for what it would be like to attend each school with feedback from past and present students.


PLENARY REMARKS
By Jody Gottfried Arnhold, DEL Founder

Jody

Jody Gottfried Arnhold addressing the crowd at DTCB2015

Jody Gottfried Arnhold is a dance educator/advocate and founder of 92Y Dance Education Laboratory (DEL), with an illustrious career as an educator in NYC public schools for over 20 years. Dancewave was honored to have her address students, parents and college representatives at DTCB 2015 and to relay great advice to make the most of the event – “It was an honor and a pleasure. What a unique and important service Dancewave provides. Proud we could host and play a part.” Jody was also on the ‘Careers in Dance Panel’ where she spoke about careers in dance and education.


DANCE CLASSES
By Christal Brown (Middlebury College) & Maura Donohue (Hunter College)

Students had a chance to indulge in dance classes conducted by notable faculty – Christal Brown from Middlebury College and Maura Donohue from Hunter College.

I thoroughly enjoyed the movement class. It was really different to my normal style of dance and I was a bit uncomfortable but it was a healthy uncomfortable.”An attending student.

Thank you for hosting a wonderful event. Dancing Through College & Beyond is truly a remarkable experience. Being a part of the college fair, classes, and performance showcase gave me a more holistic picture of all you are offering students, colleges, and families. There is so much diversity present that each student was able to connect with a place and person that will foster their growth. Thank you for allowing us to take part and participate in your vision. – Christal Brown


PANEL DISCUSSIONS

Panel discussions centered around important topics such as submitting applications, requesting financial aid, and auditioning. Participants included distinguished college departments chairs and education specialists such as Maura Keefe, Chair of the Department of Dance at the College at BrockportAnne Aubert-Santelli, Director of Admissions at USC KaufmanNelly van Bommel, Director of Dance at SUNY PurchaseTommy NeblettAssociate Director of Dance at The Boston ConservatoryStephan KoplowitzDean at The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance California Institute of the ArtsFrance HunterAssociate Professor of Dance at Roger Williams UniversityNancy LushingtonDance Recruitment at Marymount Manhattan College for Audition and Application Panel and Fiona Approo-Johnson, Independent Consultant and Jim Rogers, Dean of Admissions at Marymount Manhattan College for the Financial Aid Panel. Both students and parents were welcome to attend these discussions.

Thank you for providing this invaluable event for me and my daughter.  We are so much better informed as we slog through this college application and audition process.Parent Attendee


CAREERS IN DANCE PANEL

Another inspiring and very informative panel was a discussion on a variety of careers in dance ranging from professional dancer to dance educator to dance therapist and more. Moderated by Lauren Gordon from Career Transitions for Dance, the panel also included Diane Jacobowitz, Executive and Artistic Director at Dancewave (Dance & Non-Profit)Brighid GreeneDance Films Association (Dance & Technology)Jennifer StahlEditor in Chief Dance Magazine (Dance & Media)Ted EhrhardPratt Institute (Dance & Movement Therapy)Jody ArnholdDEL Founder (Dance & Education)Mindy Upin JacksonSteps Conservatory Program (Dance & Performance)Karen BradleyExecutive Director, LIMS (Dance & Movement Analysis); and Martha Eddy, CMA, RSMT, EdD (Dance & Somatics). 

“Many thanks for an inspiring and memorable panel yesterday. Hope a panel like this can be videotaped and/or recreated for other audiences. Appreciate the chance to have been part of this.”Lauren Gordon

Careers in Dance Panel at DTCB 2015

Careers in Dance Panel at DTCB 2015

“I said it all day to students and parents that I wish I had something like this great event when I was navigating the college/non-college route! I’m honored to have been included among such brilliant and creative minds and look very forward to where the future of dance is headed.To dancefinity and beyond!” – Mindy Upin Jackson

I had a wonderful experience at DTCB. My mom also feels more comfortable with my decision to study dance in college thanks to this day. 😊 “ – Student Attendee


AUDITIONS

This year, DTCB introduced a college audition class taught by Stephen Pier from Hartford University and Pam Pietro from New York University for seniors participating in the event. Students were given a chance to audition for dance programs in Adelphi University, American Musical & Dramatic Academy (AMDA), California Institute of the Arts, Cornish College of the Arts, DeSales University, Drexel University, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Hofstra University, Kent State University, Miami Dade College- New World School of the Arts, Montclair State University, Ohio State University, Peridance Capezio Center, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Purchase College, The Boston Conservatory, Towson University, University at Buffalo, University of Hartford, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of the Arts, University of Wisconsin and Virginia Commonwealth University. This was a one-of a kind opportunity that provided families with the ability to interact with schools across the country under one roof!


COLLEGE SHOWCASE PERFORMANCES

To end this amazing day, parents and students were able to witness students from a few universities in action. College reps from Hofstra University, Montclair University, Middlebury College, Temple University, and Pace University put up a great show and ended the day on an exciting note.

Each year, Dancing Through College & Beyond provides an invaluable service to the dance community by providing high school students time and space to connect, one on one, with renowned faculty and choreographers from colleges across the country. Students were able to form personal connections with leading dance professionals, and gained insight on how to navigate the college admissions process. We hope everyone had as much fun as we did and we hope to see all of you again next year at DTCB2016!

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