How many levels of technique should I look for in a dance department?
How Many Technique Levels Should a Strong College Dance Program Have?
One question that comes up when researching for an initial list of schools is: How many technique levels should a college dance program have?
The answer isn’t simple — because the number of levels alone does not determine the strength of a program. The same way the size of the faculty is not an absolute measure of program quality. What matters most is how those levels function, the size of the department, and the range of faculty expertise available to you.
Let’s break down what to actually look for.
Program Size vs. True Level Differentiation
When you see a dance program with many levels, ask yourself why.
Is it because:
The department is very large?
ORThere is meaningful differentiation between student skill levels?
For example, a program might offer only two levels of ballet. That does not automatically mean weak training. In many cases, those classes are rigorous and designed to be repeated so dancers can continue refining technique over time. The question is why are there just two levels? Is it a contemporary program and ballet is a training support rather than the focus? Or is it a small program where there just aren’t enough majors to fill more than two classes.
In contrast, a large program may list more levels simply to manage class size — not necessarily because the training is deeper.
How Many Ballet Levels Do Strong Programs Have?
If ballet is your primary focus, the number of levels becomes more important because you want to see a progression in your training and continually be challenged by the dancers in the studio with you.
Strong ballet-focused college programs typically offer:
At least three or more levels of ballet
Pointe classes
Partnering or pas de deux
Opportunities for advanced repertory work
If you are seeking conservatory-style ballet training with the intention of a career that includes ballet performance after graduation, a program with only one or two levels will likely not provide enough progression.
Contemporary Programs: Why Faculty Diversity Matters More
When evaluating contemporary/modern dance training, the number of levels is actually less important than the variety of teachers and styles.
Because versatility is highly valued in contemporary dance, a strong modern program should provide exposure to:
Multiple faculty members
Different modern and contemporary techniques
Opportunities to work with varied artistic approaches
Chances to work with guest artists
Over four years, dancers in strong programs often study with five to seven different modern faculty/guests, sometimes returning to certain teachers more than once to deepen their growth.
This stylistic diversity matters far more than simply counting levels. So some fantastic programs with smaller cohorts of dancers, will structure technique classes so students experience multiple teachers by phasing or alternating days.
Understanding How Placement and Levels Work
Another important factor is how levels function inside the program.
In many departments:
Freshman classes stay together, often for scheduling reasons but also to build a cohort
Upper levels are similarly rigorous rather than strictly hierarchical
Some schools allow flexibility in choosing which faculty to study with
For example, a contemporary dancer may technically place into a higher level but be placed in another class to study a style aligned with their casting for a faculty concert.
What Really Makes a College Dance Program Strong
Instead of focusing only on the number of levels, ask these key questions:
Does the program provide sufficient depth in your primary technique?
Will you study with multiple faculty perspectives?
Are there opportunities for both technical progression and artistic exploration?
Does the structure support growth across all four years?
Ultimately, a strong college dance program is not defined by how many levels exist but by how well those levels support consistent training, versatility, and long-term development.