Top performing arts colleges for dance?

I'm considering pursuing my passion for dance in college. What are the best performing arts schools for dance? Would love to hear about ones with excellent reputations and opportunities for dancers.

Absolutely, it's a joy to see you plan to follow your passion for dance at college! Some of the best performing arts colleges for dance, renowned both for their stellar instruction and for their focus on providing students with plenty of performing opportunities, are The Juilliard School, University of Southern California's Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, and Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

The Juilliard School is well-regarded globally for its dance program. Based in New York City, the heart of the artistic world, Juilliard offers a BFA in Dance where students are instructed in both classical ballet and modern dance. They aim to develop well-rounded performers with a solid groundwork in the history and theory of dance.

Then there's the University of Southern California's Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, which offers a unique hybrid approach to dance instruction. They combine artistically rigorous dance technique training with critical scholarly studies. Important to note, they also offer experiences outside the studio, like artist residencies, workshops, and collaborations with faculty and visiting guest artists.

New York University's Tisch School of the Arts provides a conservatory-style training that's combined with a robust liberal arts curriculum. At Tisch, you can earn a BFA in Dance, focusing on cross-training and exploration of other dance styles.

Boston Conservatory at Berklee takes a comprehensive approach with its BFA in Contemporary Dance, training students in everything from performance and choreography to improvisation and dance history. They're very focused on helping students find their unique artistic voice.

All of these programs offer wonderful opportunities for performance, nurturing creativity, and developing technical proficiency. Each school's location also offers robust opportunities for exposure to professional dance settings - making them a fantastic launchpad for a professional career post-college. Do consider these factors, alongside aspects such as financial aid and the culture of the institutions themselves, when making your decision!