5 Steps to Success: Moving your College Dance Application to the Next Level

We are so looking forward to being able to offer Kern County the opportunity to acquire professional headshots and dance portraits through Kern Dance Alliance’s 5 Steps to Success: Moving your College Dance Application to the Next Level program!

This event is the first in a series of services and learned consulting that will take place throughout 2022, aimed to assist college-bound dance students in the arduous process of higher education admissions — photography, resume writing, interview training, professional workshops, and essay writing + reviewing.

Step #1 is meant to provide dancers with an opportunity to obtain professional headshots and dance photos for their applications. Such photos are required by most college dance programs and photos shot by an expert in dance photography will help feature the dancer in the best way possible. Start your application with success by obtaining the audition photos you need, from headshots to arabesque photos, professional dance photographer Nancy Lynn Miller will help you get the perfect shot. 

The photography event, however, is open to the whole community so, even if you’re not applying to college, and at whatever age or stage you’re at in your dance career, you’re more than welcome to participate in booking a photography session, March 18 – 20.
__________________________________

DATES + TIMES + SCHEDULING

Friday, March 18 – 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Saturday, March 19 – 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Sunday, March 20 – 11:00 am – 1:30 pm

Please note these are broken down in to 20 minute sessions.

We’re releasing these initial time slots to start but if there’s interest (if these all book up) we may release additional time slots.

Kindly select the desired day and time on the calendar and follow the prompts to schedule and process payment for your session to complete the booking. You will receive a confirmation email, as well as subsequent email and text reminders/questions, doing our very best to ensure that your session goes as smoothly as possible. Please contact us if you do not receive a confirmation: nancym@kerndance.org

ABOUT THE SESSIONS

~ $75 KDA Members + FREE 8×10 print | $75 Non-Members *

~ 20-minutes in and around MESH CoWork

~ Minimum of 50 proofs in an online proofing gallery

~ 4 final edited files delivered as high res and web optimized

Each mini session will include 20 min of total shooting time for one person — quick costume changes can be interspersed and it’s suggested to limit outfits to two, maximum. Your session begins at your scheduled start time with about 5-7 minutes of “off” time allotted for altering your look and/or walking to different backdrops.

Please arrive at least 5 min before your scheduled time slot to get checked in (10 minutes early if you still need to warm up your body for dance movement). We will proceed VERY quickly to make the most of your session time. Nancy will gently direct you during the session, but please come prepared with your required /desired looks and poses.

This special event package will yield a minimum of 50 online proofs (best of the best) and you may select up to 4 final images for editing. (There are also rates for adding more images if desired.)

*As a courtesy to our community, KDA is subsidizing the 5 Steps Professional Dance Photography packages. We recognize that professional photography can be very expensive, and, in fact, a package such as this is valued at $350, but we believe that in order to succeed it is imperative that we make these promotional packages economically viable.

ABOUT THE LOCATION

MESH Cowork is a collaborative workspace where small businesses, remote workers, startups, and students connect, create amazing work, and conquer their goals. They provide communal workspace, dedicated desks, private offices, and conference rooms. 

We are honored to have them on board as an Official Kern Dance Alliance Sponsor this year and to utilize their beautiful spaces for this photography event, indoors and out. https://www.meshcowork.com/en

LATENESS

Due to the tight scheduling of this unique promotional event (and as a courtesy to those who may be scheduled after you), if you are late for your session time, you will forfeit those precious minutes and only have the minutes remaining in your 20 min time slot to shoot. There may be an option to tack your session on to the end of the day’s slots, but there is no guarantee that will be feasible.

CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS

If you must cancel your session, kindly do so no later than 24 hours out from your scheduled time so that we may have the opportunity to offer the time slot to someone else. You can receive a full refund if you cancel before 24 hours.

LAST-MINUTE CANCELLATIONS OR NO-SHOWS

We understand life happens, but due to the promotional nature and the greatly reduced rates of these professional photography sessions, we cannot provide a refund for cancellations made within 24 hours of your session or if you do not show up at all. Your paid fee will be retained by KDA as a credit that can be used towards future paid events or membership fees. (The photographer lives in Phoenix, Arizona, so she is not able to make up the sessions outside of the event weekend.)

TO REGISTER for STEP #2 CLICK THE BUTTON ABOVE or CLICK HERE! 

Step #2: Dance Resume Writing

The Dance Resume… a one-page snapshot of your dedication to the art of dance. Whether you are applying for college, a new job, or need help updating your current dance resume, this FREE event is for YOU! While most resumes detail a majority of the same information, not all dance resumes are created equal. A dancer must consider the program or type of employment they are seeking and then craft their resume to meet the requirements of the position. For instance, a dancer applying for a specific casting role may list a different skill set than the dancer applying for college. The key to all resume writing is that you list the MOST IMPORTANT information pertinent to the desired job.  

Join KDA and a panel of dance resume writing experts to lead you through the process of creating your most entcing resume. Step 2 of the 5 Steps for Success program is meant to help YOU craft your resume to be the greatest representation of work. 

Looking for some help to prepare your resume? Check out “THE DANCE RESUME” published by KDA in 2015.  This article will give you a few tips to begin writing your resume today!

Link: THE DANCE RESUME  (once you are on the web, click the “Business of Dance” box)

What better way to learn about dancing your way through college than to participate in a professional workshop featuring dance faculty and alumni from American colleges and universities?

This special event will provide you with mock audition classes,  breakout sessions focused on how to apply for college as well as life in college as a dancer,  Q/As designed specifically for parents and guardians to ask questions about college dance majors and minors, specific information about grants, scholarships, loans, and more!

KDA was proud to feature several college and university faculty on Saturday, September 17 at Mechanics Bank Arena for a series of college-bound seminars. The series featured Christopher Compton – Assistant Professor, University of Arizona School of Dance, Lil Buck – Movement Artist, Memphis Jookin’, and Juilliard Creative Associate, Dr. Suzanne Knosp – Professor Emeritus: Music Director, University of Arizona School of Dance, and Saleemah E. Knight – Choreographer, Performer, and Professor, USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. 

1. COLLEGE DANCE PANEL moderated by March Consulting President, Kat Clowes – Are your curious about going to college for dance? You are invited to learn about dancing your way through college by participating in a professional workshop featuring dance faculty and alumni from American colleges and universities. This special program will provide you with a focused session on how to find college dance programs and apply, life in college as a dancer,  Q/As designed specifically for parents and guardians to ask questions about college dance majors and minors, specific information about grants, scholarships, loans, and more.
2. AUDITION ESSENTIALS PANEL with Celebrity Guest Master Teachers – Learn from our pros on how to stick out from a crowd at your next upcoming audition! Learn what to wear, proper etiquette, and general tools to ensure you are cast in your next coveted role or receive acceptance into your dream program!
3. DANCE FOR CAMERA SEMINAR with Dance Camera West Artistic/Executive Director, Kelly Hargraves – Do you have an interest in filmmaking or creating choreography for the camera?  Are you seeking advice on how to make a college dance audition video or how to create a choreography reel?  Please join us as we welcome Kelly Hargraves, Dance Camera West Artistic/Executive Director, to educate you on how to acquire the tools to create dance for the camera!
4. MOCK AUDITION CLASS with USC Kaufman School of Dance Faculty, Saleemah Knight – You’ve spent the day dancing your way through National Dance Day, now is your chance to put your skills to the test by participating in a mock audition class taught by USC Kaufman School of Dance Faculty, Saleemah Knight. You will gain the experience necessary to take on a challenging audition to see how you fair.  Best of all? Feedback will be provided post-audition to give you the courage to take on your next upcoming audition!   

Nail your next interview by participating in FREE coaching sessions led by expert interview specialists. Speaking is part of the job and many of the most coveted positions, including college admissions, require an interview. Marcie Hronis Communications will be coaching YOU on how to navigate an interview. You will gain the expertise and self-assurance to convey your thoughts powerfully, leading to successful brand and reputation management. Join KDA on Monday, November 28 at 4:00 pm to learn tips and tricks to stand out and stand above your competitors.

Step #4 is a FREE zoom workshop with a corresponding IN-PERSON mock interview where you can put your skills to the test. Note: The in-person mock interview will be scheduled once completing the Zoom session.

TO REGISTER for STEP #4 CLICK HERE or the BUTTON BELOW!

STEP #4 ZOOM SESSION RSVP

We’ve been there!  You read your first college essay prompt and wonder where to begin.  KDA is here to help save the day by offering college essay writing and reviewing workshops for FREE.  Allow our college educated experts to provide you with feedback on your written essays. Don’t know the difference between a semi-colon and a colon? Curious about how to create an introductory paragraph with logical points to support your thesis?  Is your essay complete and you are ready for feedback?  Step 5 is meant to help you excel in writing with the intent to impress college admissions with your application! 

SUBMIT YOUR COLLEGE ESSAY TODAY for REVIEW BY CLICKING HERE or the BUTTON BELOW!

ALL ESSAY SUBMISSIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY DECEMBER 20, 2022 to RECEIVE FEEDBACK BY DECEMBER 31, 2022. 

SUBMIT YOUR COLLEGE ESSAY HERE