The Realities of College Dance Programs -- with Julie Friedrich

Dance Careers: Unfiltered

Did you go (or are you considering going) to college for dance? It's pretty cutthroat out there and my incredible guest, contemporary and ballet diva, Julie Friedrich, discusses the pro's and con's of going to college for dance, how she's paved her own path professionally (5:00) and how she mentors dancers through her own program (10:42).

Julie Friedrich’s distinguished career as a professional dancer, mentor, and dance educator in the areas of ballet and contemporary dance spans more than 20 years. Julie received her primary dance education from Meredith Baylis of the Joffrey Ballet School and the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Upon graduation, Julie joined the American Repertory Ballet under the direction of Septime Webre; and then went on to join Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in Montreal under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes. Throughout her career she has danced works by George Balanchine, Anthony Tudor, Ohad Naharin, Septime Webre, Nacho Duato, Guy Weizman, Roberto Zappala, and various other European and American choreographers. Upon returning to the United States, Julie joined the acclaimed contemporary dance company BodyTraffic as one of its founding members, where she danced for the last three years of her professional dancing career.

Julie taught for over a decade at both the Orange County High School for the Arts and the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Through her guidance, Julie has numerous Young Arts winners and her students have gone on to study at the Juilliard School, USC/Kaufman, SUNY Purchase, Arts Umbrella, Cal Arts, Tisch at NYU, and Pace University just to name a few. Professionally, she has former students working in such companies as ATE9, Kyle Abraham, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Cirque Du Soleil, and on Broadway.
Currently, Julie is in her 11th year serving on the performing arts faculty at the Windward School in Culver City, where she teaches, directs, and curates the dance program. Along with her full time work at Windward, she serves as the ballet director for Danceology, and as guest ballet faculty at various institutions across the nation. Since 2012 she has been an integral part of the artistic team at Francisco Gella Dance Works. Julie continues her work mentoring students in preparation for their entrance into the collegiate world through her College Preparatory Program that has developed into a nationwide program serving students and families. In 2013, through the Young Arts Foundation, President Obama and the White House named Julie one of the most influential arts teachers in the country for her mentorship of young dancers.

https://franciscogelladance.com/college-career-prep/
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Julie Rose Friedrich
Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter
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