Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 23, 2010
St. Edward's University Partners with Houston Ballet to Offer New Degree Program
Houston, TX - A new degree program at St. Edward's University in partnership with Houston Ballet, America's fourth largest ballet company with 53 dancers, seeks to open the doors for dancers who want to earn a degree. A recent study of professional dancers showed that 46% of those surveyed did not have a university degree or college diploma (study conducted by the Dancer Transition Resource Centre in Toronto, Canada). And, the career span for a professional dancer seldom runs much past 30 years of age.
Thirteen Houston Ballet dancers have signed up to participate in a new degree program to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and the Humanities degree from St. Edward's University in Austin. The dancers will be taught the required courses at the Houston Ballet's Administrative offices at 1921 W. Bell St. and online. Classes will be offered this fall beginning Aug. 23.
"The careers of professional dancers are short in comparison to other careers and may even be ending just when other careers are beginning to flourish. St. Edward's new partnership with Houston Ballet provides an important undergraduate degree completion opportunity for professional dancers," said Ramsey Fowler, coordinator of the BA in Dance and Humanities.
"Since the demands of a professional dancing career can seriously limit the opportunities artists have to explore what careers, other than dance, could be meaningful to them, prior learning assessment and career counseling are integrated into the curriculum."
Career transition is an eventuality for every professional dancer. Houston Ballet partnered with the St. Edward's University New College to help dancers complete a bachelor's degree while still fully engaged in their performing careers. New College programs are aimed at working adults seeking undergraduate degrees. The length of the program will depend on the dancer.
"We are committed to the well being of our dancers, not only during their performing years with Houston Ballet, but as they transition to new careers after dance. We are so pleased to expand our higher education relationships by partnering with St. Edward's on this program," commented Houston Ballet General Manager Jim Nelson.
This program is one of only a few such programs offered by universities. In January 2008, St. Edward's established a similar partnership with Ballet Austin. To date, one dancer has graduated and 15 are currently enrolled in the program.
St. Edward's has identified only two universities that are working directly with professional ballet companies-St. Mary's University with the San Francisco Ballet and Long Island University with American Ballet Theatre in New York. St. Edward's University President George E. Martin is a Ballet Austin board member and was a key figure in the program's development.
A professional dancer's schedule consists of intense rehearsal and performance schedules as well as non-traditional work hours and travel thereby eliminating the option of attending classes in a traditional university setting. Houston Ballet dancers realize the importance of continuing their education while dancing.
"St. Edward's is providing a great opportunity for Houston Ballet's dancers. Their program with Ballet Austin is inspiring and we are excited to have such a prestigious university provide a convenient way for us to earn a degree," remarked Houston Ballet Soloist Ilya Kozadayev. "As a dancer you never know what your future may hold and having a bachelor's degree will open lots of doors for when each of us makes the transition."
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About St. Edward's University:
Founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross, St. Edward's University is named among the top five "Up-and-Coming Universities" in the Western Region by its academic peers in a 2011 U.S. News & World Report survey. For eight consecutive years St. Edward's has been recognized as one of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report and this year by Forbes and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity.
St. Edward's is a private, Catholic, liberal arts university of more than 5,200 students located in Austin, Texas. For more information on St. Edward's University, visit www.stedwards.edu.
About Houston Ballet:
Houston Ballet has 53 dancers and an endowment of just over $47 million (as of 6/30/2010), making it the United States fourth largest ballet company by number of dancers. Houston Ballet has toured extensively both nationally and internationally including appearances in London, Moscow, Spain, Montréal, Washington, D.C., and New York. Houston Ballet has emerged as a leader in creating and developing new full-length narrative ballets. For more information on Houston Ballet, visit www.houstonballet.org.
St. Edward's University Media Contacts:
Mischelle Diaz
Director of Communications
512.448.8404
mischeld@stedwards.edu
Marcie Lasseigne
Public Relations Associate
512.428.1225
marciel@stedwards.edu
Houston Ballet Media Contacts:
Shauna Tysor
Public Relations Manager
713.535.3226
stysor@houstonballet.org
Kim Espinosa
Public Relations Associate
713.535.3224
kespinosa@houstonballet.org
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