Students who demonstrate potential in the early teens receive more intensive and advanced professional training at regional ballet schools or schools conducted under the auspices of the major ballet companies. Leading dance school companies often have summer training programs from which they select candidates for admission to their regular full-time training program. Early and intensive training also is important for the modern dancer, but modern dance generally does not require as many years of training as ballet. Because of the strenuous and time-consuming training required, a dancer's formal academic instruction may be minimal. However, a broad, general education including music, literature, history, and the visual arts is helpful in the interpretation of dramatic episodes, ideas, and feelings.
Dancers sometimes conduct research to learn more about the part they are playing.
Many colleges and universities confer bachelor's or higher degrees in dance, generally through the departments of music, theater, or fine arts. Most programs concentrate on modern dance, but also offer courses in ballet and classical techniques, dance composition, dance history, dance criticism, and movement analysis. A college education is not essential to obtaining employment as a professional dancer. In fact, ballet dancers who postpone their first audition until graduation may compete at a disadvantage with younger dancers. On the other hand, a college degree can help the dancer who retires at an early age, as often happens, and wishes to enter another field of work.