Beyond High School: Preparing Your Dancer for Success

As a high school dance coach, you play a crucial role in shaping young dancers' futures, many of whom aspire to dance at the collegiate level. This journey is rewarding but highly competitive. Studio 2 Stadium offers essential guidance, allowing you to focus on coaching without spending hours navigating the collegiate dance landscape. This blog provides a brief overview of key elements in this process, and we’re dedicated to offering professional insights to support your dancers' success. We encourage you to get your dancers onto our platform for valuable resources tailored to their aspirations.

Understanding the Dance Team Landscape

College dance teams can fall under various umbrellas within a university, which will impact the structure, resources, and expectations of the team. Here are the most common categories:

• Athletic Department: These teams are often considered varsity sports and benefit from funding, scholarships, and support services from the athletic department.

• Club Sports: Dance teams under club sports have more autonomy but fewer institutional resources. They may rely on membership fees and fundraising.

• Marching Band: Some universities integrate dance teams with their marching band, offering additional performance opportunities.

• Student Activities/Marketing: Dance teams may also be recognized as student organizations or may fall under the university’s marketing or event-planning departments.
  
  Coaching Structure: Teams may also vary in their coaching setup. Some have a dedicated head coach, while others are overseen by an advisor who manages the entire spirit program, including cheer and mascots. In some cases, teams may even be self-coached, which can provide more flexibility but requires strong leadership within the team.
  
  NIL Opportunities: The ability for dancers to profit from NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals is expanding. Dancers can now secure sponsorships, brand endorsements, and promotional opportunities, just like athletes in other sports. NIL deals can include partnerships with local businesses, social media influencer opportunities, and collaborations with national brands, allowing dancers to monetize their personal brand while still competing. This growing area is especially relevant for dancers who maintain a strong online presence, offering a new revenue stream while pursuing their college careers.
  
  

  Game Day Responsibilities: College dance teams often perform at various sporting events, requiring them to engage with the crowd through halftime shows, sideline performances, and fan interactions. These responsibilities can lead to significant time commitments, including travel for away games and the more sports a team covers, the more time one has to dedicate.
  
  

  Competition vs. Performance-Based Teams: Some dance teams focus solely on performances (e.g., halftime shows), while others compete in national competitions like UDA, NDA or DTU. Performance-based teams often focus more on crowd engagement, while competitive teams emphasize technique training, athleticism, and stamina.

Understanding the Recruitment Process

The recruitment process for college dance teams can vary significantly between schools. However, there are some common elements that your dancers should be aware of:

• Timing and Deadlines: Many teams require video auditions to be submitted during the fall semester. Remind your dancers to stay on top of these deadlines well in advance.

• Audition Requirements: These may include technical demonstrations, performance choreography, or even interviews. Ensure your dancers research the specifics for each team.

• Scholarship Opportunities: Not all teams offer financial support, but some do. Encourage your dancers to inquire early about scholarship availability and processes.

• Time Commitments: College dance team schedules can be rigorous. Dancers should assess how they will manage both their academic workload and dance team responsibilities.

• Academic Standards: Many teams have minimum GPA requirements, so it’s essential for your dancers to maintain academic excellence.

Preparing for Dance Team Auditions

Preparation is key to successful auditions, and as a coach, you can help your dancers master these essential skills:

• Technical Proficiency: Ensure they are well-versed in a wide range of dance styles and techniques.

• Performance Quality: Encourage strong showmanship and the ability to quickly learn and execute choreography.

• Audition Readiness: Help them practice learning choreography quickly and performing in a high-pressure environment.

• Developing Interpersonal Skills: As a representative of both the team and the university, it’s crucial to practice strong interpersonal skills.

• Academic Standing: Reinforce the need to maintain strong grades, as academic performance often plays a role in eligibility.
  
  
  

Having Realistic Conversations with Dancers

As a coach, one of your most challenging but essential responsibilities is managing the expectations of your dancers and their families. Here's how to approach these difficult conversations:

Setting Realistic Goals

Assess your dancers' current skills and potential, and help them set achievable goals for their college dance aspirations. Avoid inflating their expectations, as this can lead to disappointment.

Discussing Alternative Paths

If a dancer's dream of a prestigious dance program is unlikely to be realized, present them with other viable options, such as BA programs, dance minors, or club teams. Emphasize that there are many ways to continue dancing in college.

Addressing Injuries and Limitations

Ask your dancer, “If you were injured today and couldn’t dance, where would you want to go to school?” This question encourages them to consider their college choice beyond dance. If your dancer is facing physical limitations or recovering from an injury, have an open discussion about how it could affect their dance opportunities in college. Provide support and guidance to help them manage their condition while adjusting their goals for the future.

Providing Unbiased Advice

As a coach, it's crucial that you remain objective and provide your dancers with honest, unbiased feedback. This may sometimes mean delivering news that is difficult to hear, but it's essential for their long-term success.

Guiding high school dancers towards their college dance aspirations is a rewarding yet challenging responsibility. By understanding the college dance landscape, preparing your dancers for auditions, managing expectations, and building a support network, you can help them navigate this pivotal transition. Remember, your role as a coach extends far beyond the studio walls - you are a critical partner in shaping their future success.