I have some thoughts the “all this just to major in __” trend i’ve been seeing in TikTok. I thought could provide some perspective as someone who is double majoring in dance and arts management. this is a little long, I apologize
disclaimer: I fully acknowledge the privilege that is involved is going into a field that could be unstable or low paying and that going into dance isn’t possible for everyone
1. If you think you want to try and make it in the dance industry, I say go for it. You can always go back to school and major in something else if it doesn’t work out. But if you want to try, now is the time instead of spending the rest of your life wondering what could’ve been.
2. There are so many ways to make a living in dance and in the arts in general that isn’t necessarily performing or choreographing professionally. my professors often call these ‘dance adjacent’ careers. For example there is arts admin/arts management, there is venue management, company management, owning a dance studio or being an arts education director, there is being an athletic trainer or physical therapist for dancers, and dance therapy just to name a few. These jobs often provide more stability than a traditional performing career but still allow you be in the arts everyday. Will you be rich? unlikely, but you’ll probably be much happier than working a corporate office job everyday.
I understand there can be a lot of judgment from family and friends and society at large about working in the arts but I think it is so important to understand that you can make it work and that you don’t need to leave behind your passions to live a good life.
I hope I can help at least one person with this post or maybe just provide some perspective