Rutgers: Career Services (Career Opportunities for Majors in Dance)

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Career Opportunities for Majors in Dance

Introduction

Rutgers offers two distinct programs of study in dance. Both programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD). Students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) in dance through one of the liberal arts colleges. This is a generalist program that combines a broad experience in the liberal arts with a specialization in dance. It prepares students to advance beyond the bachelor's degree in performance, teaching, dance criticism, or history.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts program (BFA) in dance is offered through the Mason Gross School of the Arts. It is more specialized for students who want to be professional dancers. Two primary goals of this program are excellence in modern dance technique and performance and outstanding creative achievement. The curriculum includes three main areas of focus: technique and performance; choreography; and theoretical studies.

Some graduates choose to pursue careers closely related to dance, such as performance, education, and choreography. Others choose careers behind the scenes, or in the business area of dance in careers such as production, management, publishing and sales. A bachelor's degree is sufficient for many entry-level positions, but for entry into an area of specialization, an advanced degree may be required. Many careers do not require a specific major but rather a wide range of demonstrated skills and accomplishments. Thus, some graduates pursue careers in fields quite unrelated to dance. Regardless of your career choices, increase your marketability to employers through responsible work experience, good grades and involvement in college activities.

A Sample of Related Occupations

Advertising Specialist	Dance Writer	Public Relations Specialist
Artistic Director	Dancer	Publicist
Choreographer	Director of Arts Advocacy Agency	Sales/Marketing Representative
Community Relations Director	Director of Arts Council	Special Events Coordinator
Costume Designer	Editor	Stage Manager
Dance Company Manager	Lighting Designer	Talent Agent
Dance Critic	Lobbyist	Teacher
Dance Studio Owner	Production Manager	Tour Manager
Dance Therapist	Promoter

Types of Employers

Private & Non-profit Organizations
Arts Advocacy Agencies	Entertainment Companies	Production Companies
Arts Management Firms	Media Firms	Public Relations Firms
Colleges and Universities	Newspapers/Magazines	Publishing Firms
Dance Companies	Performing Arts Centers	Theater Companies
Elementary and Secondary Schools	Private Dance Studios	Theme Parks

Government Agencies
Cultural Affairs Agencies	National Endowment for the Arts	Office of International Education
Department of Education	National Endowment for the Humanities	Peace Corps/AmeriCorps
National Archives

Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates

Professional Dancers and/or Choreographers
American Repertory Ballet	Murray Louis and Nikolais Dance
Amy Pivar Dancers	Nicholas Rodriguez Dance Compass
Broadway Cast, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes	Ohio Ballet
Cleo Mack Dance Project	Pilobolus Dance Company
Connecticut Ballet	Pittsburgh Dance Alloy
David Dorfman Dance Company	Race Dance
Doris Humphrey Repertory Company	Randy James Dance Works
Elizabeth Streb Dance Company	Rhombus Dance
Erick Hawkins Dance Company	Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus
Laura Glenn Dance Company	Sarah Pearson, Patrick Widrig Dance Company
LKB Dance	Stephanie Shura Dance Company
Mark Jaracke Dance Company	Stomp
Michael Foley Dance Company	Tennessee Dance Theater

Dance Educators
Adademie Des Tanzes, Germany	Mercer County Vocational High School
Ball State University	Middlesex County College
BOCES Cultural Arts Center	On the Move Performing Arts Center
Chicago State University	Piscataway Board of Education
Cicely Tyson High School	Princeton Ballet School
Columbia High School	Princeton High School
Duncan Centre Conservatory, Prague	Purnell High School
East Brunswick Vocational High School	Rowan University
Franklin Township Board of Education	Rutgers University
Laban Center, Goldsmith College, London	Smith College
Marymount Manhattan College	Temple University
Mercer County College

Private Dance Studio Owners and/or Managers
Center Stage Dance Studio, Inc.	Kaye-Lynn Studio
Dance Express School	Miss Carol School of Dance
Dance Plus Studio	Standing Ovation School of Dance
Dance Unlimited

Additional Related Fields
American Repertory Ballet Company, Marketing	Princeton Dance Book Publisher, Editor
Bill T. Jones Dance Company, Manager	San Francisco Ballet Association, Admin. Assistant
Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, Lighting Designer and Stage Manager	Tricia Brown Dance Company, Manager
Duchess County Cultural Arts Council, Director	University of Southern Califormia, Graduate Student, Ph.D., Physical Therapy

Additionally, you may:

Explore the career paths of RU Alumni Career Network mentors.
Go to the Rutgers Online Career Planning Site to explore your interests, skills and values. Use the program for either: High School Students | College Students.
Explore Rutgers University academic department information related to this major.
See the Occupational Outlook Handbook for additional career information.
Pick up your "Career Opportunities" handouts at any New Brunswick Career Services office.


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