The State of Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation predicts that the demand for performers like dancers, musicians, actors and actresses in the state will increase by 10 to 13 percent from 2009 through 2017. Competition for new jobs in the state is likely to be high. A number of colleges in the state of Florida offer academic programs in dance, music and theater. The aim of these programs is to help students hone their skills and gain experience through performance to improve their chances of finding employment in the competitive field of performing arts.
New World School of the Performing Arts
Located in Miami, the New World School for the Performing Arts is a private institution that offers performing arts programs both for high school and post-secondary students. The college has accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The college's Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance program provides students with the opportunity to learn from renowned African dancers who serve as guest instructors at the college each year. The Bachelor of Music degree program allows students to specialize in voice, piano, instrumental music performance or composition. Students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater program features concentrations in acting and musical theater. An audition is necessary for admission into the college's performing arts programs. The college participates in federal and state grant and loan, private lending, scholarship and work-study financial aid programs.
New World School for the Performing Arts
300 NE 2nd Ave.
Miami, FL 33132
305-237-3135
nwsa.mdc.edu
Jacksonville University
Home to more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students, Jacksonville University is a private, nonsectarian institution founded in 1934. The college received the 44th-place ranking among all universities in the southern United States in the "Best Colleges 2011" ratings from "U.S. News and World Report." The college's Bachelor of Fine Arts program in dance is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance and includes training in ballet, modern and jazz. Acting students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater program complete professional internships with local theater companies and take courses in technical theater, such as lighting and design. Baccalaureate programs offered in music include concentrations in voice, piano, organ, instruments and piano accompanying. Auditions are required for admission to any of the performing arts programs. Study abroad opportunities are available for performing arts students at Jacksonville. Federal and state financial aid, work-study and institutional scholarships are available for qualified students.
Jacksonville University
2800 University Blvd. North
Jacksonville, FL 32211
800-225-2027
ju.edu
University of South Florida
A public institution located in Tampa, the University of South Florida has an enrollment of more than 40,000 undergraduate and graduate students. "U.S. News and World Report" ranked the college 183rd among all universities in the United States in its "Best Colleges 2011" ratings. The college offers a Bachelor of Arts in theatet program with a concentration in performance accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance course of study enables students to concentrate in choreography or performance and provides an opportunity to spend a semester studying in Paris, France. The Bachelor of Music degree features concentrations in composition, jazz studies, percussion, piano, strings, voice and woodwinds. Master's and doctoral degrees are also awarded in music. Auditions are required for all of the university's performing arts programs. The average need-based financial aid award for students at the university was $4,562 as of 2009, and the average freshmen received $9,230 total financial aid from need and non-need based sources, according to the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges." Florida residents receive tuition discounts.
University of South Florida
4202 East Fowler Ave.
Tampa, FL 33620
813-974-3350
usf.edu
