What’s the “ideal” diet for dancers?

This is a super common question and something I hear from dancers regularly. “Can you tell me exactly what to eat to reach my goals?” It’s helpful to consider this good news: there’s no one-size fits all, perfect diet for dancers.

You’re an individual. Let that information allow you the freedom to figure out the best eating plan for your unique body and needs. It doesn’t matter how your friends, or siblings, or parents eat. It matters that you find a way of eating that works for you.

When you’re eating in the best way possible for YOU, here are some things you’ll notice…

1. You have high and stable energy levels.
2. You’re never feeling ravenous or restricted.
3. You’re not experiencing anxiety or guilt around food choices.
4. You’re including protein, carbohydrates, and fat throughout the day.
5. You’re not experiencing any significant fluctuations in weight.
6. You don’t experience severe PMS symptoms or periods.
7. No major cravings.

What works is going to change over time. You have to be adaptable and willing to evolve as your needs shift. This requires staying super tuned into your body. 

General healthy eating principles dancers should consider.

Include whole foods, avoid processed foods, and eat lots of plants. Incorporating lots of whole-plant foods will boost immunity, bone health, and build muscle.

As a dancer, you’re also an athlete. Think about protein. If you’re vegan, you can get enough protein but you may need to be somewhat more intentional than your animal eating counterparts. Don’t obsess. Include diverse sources of protein to get all the amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and they play an important role in body functions. 

Lysine is the most commonly missing amino acid in a vegan diet so you may require supplementation. Nutritional Yeast is a vegan food product that includes all 9 essential amino acids. If you find you’re consistently struggling to feel satisfied by your meals, you might consider incorporating some animal sources of protein.

If you’re concerned, ask your doctor to check your vitamin levels with a blood test. This is the most accurate way to determine if you’re getting what you need.

Bone density is established in your teens and early 20’s. When you’re young, anything restrictive can compromise healthy growth and peak bone mass. If you’re not adequately fueling, you’re more susceptible to injury.

Add in more healthy foods to “crowd-out” less healthy things. 

There’s still room for indulgences like cookies, ice cream, and cake. Think about how you can incorporate “treats” or “indulgent foods” without getting obsessed or being too extreme. The extremes with food tend to lead to unhealthy approaches to reaching your goals.

You have to allow indulgences. When you’re restrictive, it backfires most of the time. My career and dance journey was riddled with injury and weight fluctuations. It all stemmed from an extreme view of what was ok to eat and what should be avoided. I labeled everything as good or bad and that led to major food anxiety, guilt, and even binge eating.

The best diet for dancers is health-conscious, balanced (whatever that means to you), and supports not just your dancing but your life beyond dance. Retired dancers who experience the greatest level of physical distress and weight gain after dancing are usually the ones who were in a state of deprivation while they were dancing.

Achieve your best body with a healthy, balanced, sustainable approach.

To establish a healthy diet as a dancer, consider The Dancers’ Best Body Course and Group Coaching Program. 

For full program details visit this page: https://www.thewholedancer.com/best-body-program/

For early enrollment join the waitlist here: 

https://www.thewholedancer.com/waitlist

Read dancer testimonials here:

https://www.thewholedancer.com/testimonials

Diet for Dancers was originally published in August of 2018

Diet for Dancers was updated and re-posted in August of 2021

The post Diet for Dancers appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

Recently I came across a post by a dancer who talked about all the “father figures” she came across in dance and her desire to please them and gain their love and approval. I can relate to that. I lost my father at a young age, I had closer relationships with men in ballet than anywhere else.

Dance is a people pleasing art. You’re concerned with looking good and living up to the standards expected by your teachers. That goal becomes ingrained early, it’s challenging to shake.

As a child as young as 7 or 8 the aim in class is often to perform and show our teacher’s we’re listening…obedient.

The discipline of dance isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, the authoritative stance and mean, critical approach some teacher’s take really breaks down your sense of self. It makes it hard for you to find authentic joy and confidence in dance.

When body comments and criticisms start at a similarly young and vulnerable age, you’re set up for what can be a lifetime struggle to accept your body and abilities.

In all of this, it’s easy to get pulled away from what should be your focus – improving your technique and artistry AND enjoying your dance pursuits.

It all becomes about earning a teacher’s love and approval. Which in reality, you don’t need to succeed. Being the teacher’s pet alone does not guarantee a job after your training.

The most loved student doesn’t necessarily go the furthest, BUT if you let the lack of love and admiration from your teacher impact your confidence it can be a big factor.

In order to stay positive in your pursuit, you can’t make it about pleasing every teacher or Artistic Director you come across. It can’t be about gaining their love.

To find success in dance you need to love yourself. With the ups and downs and challenges you might face, you’ve got to be your biggest supporter.

Usually, the love of your teacher or Artistic Director is conditional. It might be given or taken away based on your weight. Or it could be dependent on your placing at a competition or receiving a scholarship. If you’re coming back from injury they might be less supportive.

The only unconditional love you can count on is from yourself (if you work to get there). And one of the big benefits of working towards unconditional self-love is that it’s going to support you in dance and beyond.

When you release self-judgement but instead support yourself towards your goals, you’ll dance better, freer and with more joy.

The joy can radiate off of you and that’s what will get you hired! Check out this recent chat I had with dance photographer Rachel Neville. We discussed the importance of finding inner peace and confidence and how your body language speaks volumes:

Photo on Visualhunt.com

The post You don’t need your dance teachers love… appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

Do you think you’re lacking natural talent or ability and that’s what’s holding you back? Good news, there’s so much more that goes into it. Your success in dance has a lot less to do with what’s “natural” and everything to do with what you put in.

What you put in you’ll get out.

Yes, in dance, there are some natural attributes that you may or may not possess.

Check out this video for more on Success in Dance:

In order to excel, you can’t just work on the things that are easy for you. Don’t spend time perfecting what you’re already capable of. Instead, you need to focus on the things that create struggle for you.

Targeted and specific effort are going to take you forward more quickly. To ensure that you’re working on the right things you may need to seek out a variety of teachers who can support you in improving upon those areas of opportunity.

Do you have all of the information for targeted practice?

“Failing should provide you with the opportunity to learn, grow and adapt.” A “failure” is not the end.

If you expect the best, you are given some strange kind of power to create the conditions that produce the desired results.

At the point of performance it’s essential that you up your ability for positivity. So maybe you’re going into auditions or a competition – you have so much power in what you bring to the situation. It has SO MUCH to do with your mindset.

So much of your success in dance is within your control – allow this fact to motivate you to seek out the support you need to take it all forward. Dancer’s should have a team. Just like olympians and pro – athletes find experts to support them in improving, it’s a worthy investment for dancers as well!

The post Are you “talented” enough to succeed in dance? appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

Not all dancers need to or want to go to college to dance. It’s a totally personal decision and should be based upon your progress and goals. There are certainly some questions to consider when deciding which route makes the most sense for you…

1.Am I ready to dance professionally now?

You might need consult with a trusted mentor for some help with this one, or go on auditions for college dance programs AND companies and see what offers you get. It’s always smart to keep your options open.

2. Is there a career track that I can use while I dance?

I studied dance and arts administration and while I never planned to pursue arts admin, I do know dancers who have worked in arts admin positions at the companies they also dance for. Can you study dance and simultaneously study PR or Marketing or something that could translate to an online gig that could support you through your early professional dance years (when you’ll likely not be getting paid).

3. Will I be OK with competing with younger dancers when I’m out of school?

This is hard to predict…I’ve heard from college grads of the challenge of competing with young dancers and I experienced it myself. It can breed insecurity. You go from being the top dog (a college senior) to being the bottom of the totem pole (trainee or 2nd company). It’s a hard transition that you might not be fully prepared for.

4. What kind of environment will I thrive in?

Will you feel better in a city or more remote location? It’s beneficial for your own company auditions post college to be near a city but you can certainly get great training even at a school that’s in a more remote location. You’ll just have to think about where you’ll go for auditions.

5. How much do I want to perform?

Different dance programs have different plans for performance. Some have just 1 or 2 shows and they’re on a smaller scale, while others have bigger productions in bigger theaters. Do you have a preference? What do you need to feel ready for the next step.

6. Do I want a more traditional college experience or a strictly dance experience?

College vs. conservatory is a question that comes up – I enjoyed the college life that felt more traditional socially and I think I benefitted from being surrounded by non-dancers. It was good for my sanity. A conservatory environment really is all dance all the time and if you’ve been training since you were 8, I think there’s a greater chance that you might burn out.

Some advice based on my college experience :

Audition every year. It’s a good way to gauge your progress even if you don’t plan to leave college to pursue an offer.

Go through college with the end in mind. Even though you’re taking some time to enjoy the time you have in college make sure you’ve got your eye on the prize of dancing professionally.

Don’t get sucked into bad body habits. It’s likely the first time you’re on your own with food outside of your parents home full time. Eat enough and fuel your dancing. Disordered eating will only serve to rob you of precious time you could be dedicating to dancing your best.

Careful with the partying. It takes a lot for your body to recover from alcohol consumption and sleep deprivation. As enticing as the party scene can be, try to be moderate with the amount you go out. Your body and your dancing will thank you.

Find mentors, learn as much as you can. You can always learn from the dancers around you and your professors have a wealth of knowledge and experience. Use your time with them to learn as much as you can.

Have fun!!

The post My College Dance Experience appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

As a dancer you have very specific needs and goals from a physical and training standpoint. It’s becoming much more popular to seek out a trainer to help you with cross – training. I’m hoping it’s also becoming more popular to find a Health Coach (like me!) to help you with nutrition and mindset around food and your body.

I’ve heard from many dancers that they’ve worked with nutritionists before who didn’t have a dance background. They felt like those nutrition professionals weren’t understanding of their goals as dancers. Non – dancer’s are not going to fully understand the demands of the dance world.

This applies to trainers as well. If you find any run of the mill trainer who has no knowledge or background in dance then they’re not going to understand your goals. Check out this video or read on for more!

Utilize the internet.

We no longer have to find someone who lives within driving distance to work with them. Trainers can work with you by skype or video call – they can still assess your alignment and how you’re working.

You already have body awareness so you shouldn’t need someone checking and manipulating your body into proper form.

Get specific needs met by specific people.

Personal trainers often have a specific way of eating that they promote to clients. Eat this “high-fat, low carb” style and you’ll definitely reach your goals. However, when you work with someone who is focused only on the nutrition perspective they’ll usually help you work through different eating styles and support you in finding what works for your personal needs.

Have a team of people that you work with.

You have the technical and training aspect down (if you don’t, seek out better dance training). If you need physical therapy for injury prevention then seek it out. If you aren’t sure how to address your weaknesses in dance with your cross training, find a trainer to help. If you’re looking for support in fueling yourself and maintaining a positive lifestyle, seek out a Health + Lifestyle Coach to support your goals.

Athletes work with a host of different professionals and you’re putting the same (if not more) pressure on your body to perform. Why wouldn’t you need and benefit from the same support?

Is this an investment? Yes. So think about how you can make it work for you. Maybe choose 1 professional to work with at a time. Find a trainer, have them help you develop training plans for a few months, then move on to a nutrition professional. You might find that you need to or want to spend more time with one person to really work deeply on one area.

Think about the area that you think needs the most immediate attention. Maybe set up a free chat or session with different people who might be able to help! Interested in exploring Health/Lifestyle Coaching? Set up a clarity session with me! Fill out this form:

[powr-form-builder id=9aa5c7e3_1524403840]

If I think we’re a good fit, I’ll reach out to set up a FREE Clarity Session!

A personal trainer should…

See you dance. If they have a dance background and danced professionally, they’ll see what you might be able to work from and how you’ll benefit from personal training. They should be able to provide you with a clear plan of action and detail what changes you’ll see in your body and dancing from your working together.

If it’s not clear how things can change or improve, they might not be a good fit for you. If you need trainer suggestions, reach out to me and I’ll refer you to someone!

The post What to Look for in a Personal Trainer appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

“A Body of Work: Dancing to the Edge and Back” by David Hallberg

This book is hands down my new favorite dancer autobiography. Mr. Hallberg writes from such a real and raw place. The reader experiences all of his dedication, hard work, sweat, and tears in rehearsal. I thoroughly enjoyed how he dove into describing the rehearsal process for learning the classics with different coaches at ABT, Bolshoi, Marinksky, and Paris Opera.

He describes dance steps or processes for the non-dancer readers without putting them down (unlike a fellow ABT principal dancer’s autobiography that talks down to its readers throughout their entire book). He gets real with his almost career ending injury, bring to light the voice every dancer hears when they are recovering from an injury. It’s an incredibly well written, well thought out book.

“Holding on to the Air” by Suzanne Farrell

As one of Balanchine’s muses, Suzanne Farrell is a legendary dancer. Her vast career spans from the early 60s until 1989 at New York City Ballet, as well as four years dancing for Maurice Béjart. The book dives into her quick rise to principal dancer, roles Balanchine created for her, and her intimate relationship with Mr. B.

The reader gets an intimate perspective of what it was like to work one-on-one with Balanchine everyday. Unfortunately, the book only covers her performing career. I really hope she one day writes about her experiences coaching and running her own company, Suzanne Farrell Ballet.

“Apollo’s Angels” by Jennifer Homans

“Apollo’s Angels” is the most recently published (2010) ballet history book. The narrative begins where ballet started in France, and then moves to different parts of the globe as ballet’s sphere of influence changed including England, Denmark, Russia, and the United States. This book reads like a dry textbook, but it’s fantastic for understanding the base history of ballet.

“A Ballet Lovers Companion” by Zoe Anderson

This book is fantastic for teachers who are asked inquisitive questions by students about classical ballets. It’s a compilation of every notable ballet ever created. It includes information on the choreographer, music, costumes, set design, original cast, and plot/narrative. It’s a good ballet reference book to have on your bookshelf.

“I Was a Dancer” by Jacques D’Amboise

D’Amboise is famous for originating in many leading male roles of Balanchine Ballets. His book naturally talks a lot about his experiences in the studio with Mr. Balanchine, as well as other projects outside of NYCB. D’Amboise was a dedicated and gutsy dancer; when his name wasn’t on the board for rehearsal, he would add his name to the rehearsal board next to a free studio and work on his own.

What really makes this book feel personal is D’Amboise’s friendship with Mr. B outside of the studio. The book also discusses how Jacques founded the National Dance Institute, an outreach organization that bring dance to children of all backgrounds.  

“Wilde Times” by Patricia Wilde

“Wilde Times” gives dancers a glance into the life of a dancer in the 1940s and 50s. Patricia Wilde, one of the founding members of New York City Ballet, talks about life on tour where you had to find your own hotel room and when pointe shoe funds were limited so you constantly danced in dead shoes. Her book also goes into great depth about her coaching and directing career at American Ballet Theater and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater.

“Bolshoi Confidential: Secrets of the Russian Ballet from the Rule of the Tzars to Today” by Simon Morrison

I would not say there are any major secrets revealed about the Bolshoi Ballet in this book; it’s more of a complete history of the theater. This in-depth exploration of the Bolshoi uncovers its troubled history from rebuilding the theater four times, low funding, clappers that shame dancers off stage, and more. The descriptions of the productions the theater put on are articulately detailed. It’s on the dyer side (very textbook like), but fans of Russian ballet would enjoy this book.  

The post A Summer Reading List for Dancers appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

Part 1 of the Nutrition in Dancers Study

The training required to become a professional ballet dancer is rigorous. Competition is fierce, even while training, and once a professional level has been reached, dancers must maintain a high level of athletic ability in order to stay in a company.

Your typical athlete —even Olympians–have a peak season of training and performance and then an off season where their body can rest and recover. Dancers often do not get such a break. It’s frowned upon to take a summer off.

As a student, you train all year round with Nutcracker, a Spring performance, possible YAGP or ballet competitions…and instead of a break, you get a summer intensive.

As a professional dancer, it is pretty much the same except during the summer you look for summer gigs or training. It’s not to say that keeping your body in shape all year round is a bad thing, in fact it’s quite beneficial. However, over training is possible and is not healthy for your body.

What causes a dancer to do this? Partially it’s because this type of training and lifestyle has become the norm for a pre-professional or professional dancers. The perfectionism most dancers embrace is another big factor.

It takes a lot of hard work, perseverance, and dedication to make it to the top–but wisdom is invaluable. Often, dancers are so caught up in the hard work part, they forget that they are only human and the body can only be pushed so far. Dance may not be a sport but it’s very competitive.

It’s this same competitive drive, perfectionist spirit, and type A personality traits that allow dancers them to succeed in this profession.      

You probably know the “need” a dancer has to get the combination correct as quickly as possible. Not only must the combination be correct, attention is paid to each and every detail. You can tell the difference between a recreational and professional dancer simply by their attention to detail.

It is these same qualities that can also lead to a dancer’s downfall. As discussed before, hard work, dedication, perseverance–they are all necessary. Pushing your body too far is, more often than not, a consequence.

Throughout this blog series you’ll see the factors that could either help or harm your chances of pursuing a professional career.

Part I will explore the link between malnutrition and why in can lead to an increase in injuries in dancers.

It’s no secret that vitamins and minerals are essential for a healthy body. Many people do not consume the amount of fruit and vegetables in the SAD (Standard American Diet) that are required for real health. To compound this issue, athletes require greater amounts of these nutrients because of their increased energy expenditure.

According to common calorie calculators, dance burns about 200 calories per hour. Compared to other forms of sports, this is a relatively low amount BUT, the professional ballet dancer or pre-professional student will dance anywhere from 20-40+ hours a week. This is at least an extra 600-1200 per day that a dancer needs beyond normal requirements. Couple this with the fact dancers must also maintain a high muscle mass relative to fat and the calorie burn increases.

Of course, calories are not everything. We have to remember not to focus simply on numbers. Yet, it’s important to show how many calories are recommended to show you how high your needs really are. A typical dieting dancer may try to reduce their calories to 1200 to lose weight–not only will they lack vital nutrients, this is not even HALF of the recommended intake required for proper bodily functions and energy to dance.

Not enough vitamin and mineral intake compounded with such high energy expenditure leads to malnutrition in dancers. Many do not realize the detrimental effects that malnutrition can have on the body.

Calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium are essential for strong bones. Dancers who are deficient in these minerals are likely to suffer from stress fractures. Another common mistake dancers make is when they decide to follow fad diets.

A popular fad diet used to be (and still is to some degree) the low-fat diet. Everyone is different, and for some, a low-fat diet may be healthy…but the general population requires fats to make up 25%-35% of their daily intake.

Fats are important for proper hormone function, especially in women. A low-fat diet could negatively affect a woman’s menstrual cycle. This may seem a blessing to a dancer whose day involves tights and a leotard–but ultimately in can lead to low estrogen, increased risk of stress fractures, and osteoporosis.

Not only are fats important for hormone function, fat soluble vitamins–A,D,E, and K–are only able to be absorbed by your body when you ingest adequate amounts of fat. So it doesn’t matter how many carrots or sweet potatoes you eat…if you are not consuming enough fats you will not be getting the vitamins you need.

Anemia—or iron deficiency—is another common issue, especially for female dancers. Those who are anemic not only suffer from lowered immunity, they are also much more prone to fatigue and weakness. Dancing requires massive amounts of strength and endurance, without which injuries are more likely to occur.

Fatigue, stress fractures, and shin splints—are common dancer injuries. Components such as phytonutrients, Omega 3s, and antioxidants help the body reduce inflammation, and heal from minor injuries before they become major.

As Benjamin Franklin said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is so true…especially in the case of dancers! What does it mean though? It means, instead of waiting for your body to completely break from all the pressure placed upon it, build it up so it’s strong. Fuel properly. Hydrate. Make sure you are making the best choices you possibly can when it comes to food, vitamins, minerals, cross training, and rest.

It seems as if the answer would be to simply increase the variety of foods in the diet so that one would get enough of these important vitamins, minerals, and compounds. The answer though, is never this simple.

Dance, the very pursuit of which increases nutrient needs, also hinders some people from reaching the bare minimum requirements. We will discuss the roll that body image has in another part of this series, but it is important to note that disordered eating and unrealistic body goals are a contributing factor of malnutrition in dancers.

 In pursuit of “the perfect dance physique” many restrict their food intake or create rules surrounding good food. These things are done to maintain a certain aspect of control that many dancers relish. They cannot control the physique they are born with or the casting decisions of directors, but they can control food.

This seems like a silly idea. “I can’t control what is around me…let me control my food,” but often, many cases of Anorexia, Bulimia, EDNOS, and BDD stem from control issues. This is so contrary to common sense as these issues end up controlling the dancer. It does not merely manifest in food issues–but it controls how the dancer acts, behaves, feels, and thinks. The more control they think they have, the more it is the disorder controlling them.

This isn’t the only reason dancer’s restrict, but it’s one of the main reasons that they do. Attempts to restrict typically  backfire. You might end up binge eating—mostly on junk food—because you become hungry. It is the body’s way of saying FEED ME, FEED ME!!!!

The body is an intelligent design and will do all it can to preserve life. Restrict long enough and, even if you binge, your body will begin shutting down what it does not deem necessary. In other words, your body goes into survival mode.

You might successfully eat less throughout the day, then when no one is watching you lose control and eat too much. This leads to guilt, more restricting, more binges – it’s a slippery slope.

Okay, you think, I will just restrict a little bit. Eating disorders have the highest rate of death out of all mental illnesses. You have to stop before you even begin! Remember though, no matter how deep you are into restriction or any eating disorder, it is never too late to stop, nourish your body, and heal!

In fact, if you are suffering from an eating disorder act right now, don’t wait! Seek out a trusted friend, family member or physician to help you with your struggles. You will be surprised how many people struggle with similar issues–you are not alone! As dancers, we have a responsibility to help others, be outspoken, we cannot keep these problems under the curtain anymore.

Some dancers may be able to keep up the restriction by consistently eating very small amounts or cutting out food groups entirely. This will of course lead to weight loss, but because the dancer is not getting enough fuel, the body will begin to break down muscle.

The breaking down of the body, or catabolism, is part of the reason eating disorders and disordered eating is so dangerous. Under normal circumstances, the body will get energy from the food that you eat…eat less than you need and your body will start breaking down fat.

If you are trying to loose weight and not cutting food drastically, this can be a good thing. BUT, go too far, and the body will actually start holding onto the fat in an effort to protect the body. Not enough food will produce “starvation mode.” The body will try to store fat, breakdown muscle, eventual breakdown of organs, and the absence of “unnecessary functions.” Symptoms of starvation mode include:

• Constant fatigue (The lack of food energy alone causes this!)
• Constantly being cold.
• Storing of body fat.
• Absence of menstruation.
• Foggy brain
• And a multitude of other symptoms…

In both scenarios, you’ll be left weak, fatigued, and injury prone and will become malnourished. As you can see, a malnourished dancer is not a productive one.

Remember, weight loss is not the sole indicator of happiness. Weight loss is also not the reason people get a contract. Do you really want a contract with a company that only cares about your looks? Do you want to spend your dance career stressed out about your weight, food, and stress? Don’t settle. The only way to change the stereotypes in ballet is to make a difference.

What is most important is that you stay in top physical condition so that you can dance to your full potential. As with any athlete, top physical condition comes from having proper nourishment and rest. Nourishment so your body has the energy to thrive, succeed, and heal. Rest so your body is ready. Taking these preventative steps is important and necessary for a lasting and fulfilling dance career.

It’s not about the calories. It is much more important to be eating foods with plenty of vitamins and minerals then it is to worry about making sure you get the “diet” version of something.

Photo credit: PacificNorthwestBallet on Visual Hunt / CC BY-ND
Photo credit: colros on VisualHunt.com / CC BY
Photo credit: Hub on Visual Hunt / CC BY-SA
Photo credit: Wicker Paradise on VisualHunt / CC BY

The post Poor Diet and Injury in Dancers – Dancer Health Study Part I appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

First, congratulations for getting that acceptance letter from either a school or company. You might not have gotten into your top choice, but having at least one option is better than no options at all. If you have multiple options ever better!

When making any tough decision one tried and true method is the pro/con list. Grab a piece of paper and write down the pros and cons of each program or company. Here is a list of things to think about.

For summer programs consider:

• Cost: How much is tuition, dorms, a plane ticket, or daily commuting costs etc?
• Distance: Can I live at home or will I have to live in the dorms? If I live at home how long is my commute?
• Syllabus: What type of training do they offer? Is it similar to what I do at my home studio or completely different? What types of classes will I take?
• Teachers: Are there certain teachers you are dying to work with?

For college dance programs consider:

• Cost: How much is tuition, dorms, transportation costs, books, dance supplies, etc?
• Loans: Will I have to take out student loans? Will I sign independently or will my parents co-sign? What is the interest rate? How soon do I have to start paying the loan back after I graduate?
• Part-Time Job: Do I have time in my schedule to get a part time job to help pay for school expenses? Can I do work-study on campus? Would it pertain to my major? How will I get to work if my job in not on campus?
• Distance: Can I live at home or will I have to stay in the dorms? How will you get home for breaks?
• Teachers: Are there certain teachers you want to work with?
• Syllabus: What type of training do they offer? Is it more ballet focused or more modern focused?
• Academics: What type of academic classes will you have to take? Can you add a minor or double major? Will your degree be a B.A. or B.F.A.?
• Repertoire: Are they performing rep by choreographers you want to work with or experience?
• Job Rate: How many of their graduates are getting dance jobs after graduation? What companies are they dancing with?

For Companies:

• Repertoire: Are you interested in the repertoire they perform? What choreographer’s works are they performing?  Have you done any of their rep before? Will this rep help you grow as an artist?
• Artistic Staff: Is the artistic staff a group of people that you connect with, trust, and think will give you guidance during rehearsal?
• Distance: Is it close to where you live now? Will you have to move?
• Cost: What are you commuting costs going to be? Is the company covering your dance supply expenses such as pointe shoes?
• Pay: Are you getting paid? Does this pay cover all of your living expenses? If not, what other jobs will you get? Does your rehearsal schedule allow you time for a second job? Are your taxes being taken out?
• Schedule: How long is the season? What is a daily rehearsal schedule like? What is a typical theater schedule like? Do they give time for lunch or to take care of your body?
• Benefits: Do they give you benefits such as healthcare, gym membership, physical therapy, or chiropractic services?

Go through your contract with a fine-tooth-comb. Look for details such as having to pay back the company any money you make if you quit mid season, non-compete clauses, conditions on second jobs, when you get paid, how much you get paid, etc.

When going through these questions do your research! Look at the artistic staff, the rep, and any other information you can find on the school or company’s website. When researching flights, trains, or other modes of transportation look at several companies, to find the best deals.

A big choice takes a lot of time and is something that should not be made in one day. At the very least sleep on it!

The post Choose the right summer intensive or company offer. appeared first on The Whole Dancer.