# 109. What Dancers and Parents Need to Know About College Dance Programs with Ashley Thorndike

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-brainy-ballerina-podcast-6926194/109-what-dancers-and-parents-need-to-know-about-college-dance-programs-with-ashley-thorndike
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-brainy-ballerina-podcast-6926194/109-what-dancers-and-parents-need-to-know-about-college-dance-programs-with-ashley-thorndike.md
Podcast: [The Brainy Ballerina Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-brainy-ballerina-podcast-6926194)
Published: 2026-06-22T09:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://zencastr.com/z/kkCWC68p
Audio file: https://redirect.zencastr.com/r/episode/6a31b1a827c9f12afc651271/size/86249709/audio-files/65e9ecbdad8337c985a311c2/db8a3938-fa16-4a7f-bdd3-c2043b677064.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-brainy-ballerina-podcast-6926194/episodes/109-what-dancers-and-parents-need-to-know-about-college-dance-programs-with-ashley-thorndike
Duration seconds: 3593

## Resource

Ashley Thorndike is a licensed clinical professional counselor, longtime dance educator, and founder of Dance and College Counseling. With a PhD in Dance Studies, an MEd in Counselor Education, and a BFA in Modern Dance, she brings a rare combination of mental health expertise and firsthand academic experience to college and career planning for dancers. Ashley and I are both products of college dance programs and have gone on to mentor dancers through this process, so I absolutely loved connecting over this topic! Our conversation is jam-packed with everything from the complex admissions process to building a broad, sustainable career in dance. Key "Pointes" from this Episode: * Ashley's winding path into dance and her academic journey through the University of Utah, the University of Virginia, and Ohio State University where she became the first person to earn a PhD in dance studies. * The biggest mistakes dancers make when applying to college dance programs. * How families can explore financial options when loans and personal resources do not cover the cost of a dance education. * How to identify the right college fit as a dancer and what to look for during your search. * The importance of moving beyond a one-lane mindset and exploring the many paths available within the dance world. * Why college is a uniquely valuable time to explore interests beyond dance. * How a long, meaningful dance career can take many different shapes, even beyond performing on stage. * What dance faculty are looking for at auditions, based on Ashley's experience serving on an admissions committee. * How to approach your interview as a dance applicant and what questions you should and should not be asking. * Advice for parents who feel uncertain about their child pursuing dance as a college…

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