One of your senior dance students just asked if you’d write them a recommendation letter for college. Of course, you said yes, but how do you do it? Where do you start? What should you include? Do these questions sound familiar? Writing recommendation letters for dance students is part of the job, but it can be a daunting task full of pressure. After all, these letters play an important role in helping students reach their dreams, whether that’s getting into a top college dance program, earning scholarships, or joining a summer intensive. Here’s a simple guide to writing strong, specific recommendation letters—even if you don’t know the student very well.
Topics to Highlight:
Work Ethic: Describe their approach to training, commitment to practice, and dedication to improvement. Do they warm-up before class? Do they practice while another group is performing? Do they ask clarifying questions in class?
Passion and Enthusiasm for Dance: Mention moments when you saw their passion shine, whether during class, rehearsals, or performances.
Growth and Progress: Detail how they’ve developed technically or artistically over the time you've known them. Even if your time with them has been short, have you observed them achieve a new skill? Have they gained confidence? How did they grow from the feedback provided to them?
Technique and Skill: Highlight their skill level, proficiency in certain styles, or specific strengths, like flexibility or musicality.
Creativity and Expression: Talk about their ability to interpret and communicate stories or emotions through movement. Was there a particular dance they performed well artistically? Have they shown creativity when provided improvisation or choreography opportunities within class?
Leadership Skills: Do they assist in other classes, lead warm-ups, or support their classmates Perhaps they took initiative with younger students while waiting for class in the hallway. How have they positively contributed to your studio/school?
Teamwork and Collaboration: Discuss their collaborative spirit, including times they worked well in group choreography or team performances. In small group work, did they make sure everyone's voices were heard?
Resilience and Adaptability: Mention their ability to handle challenges and bounce back from setbacks. Did they struggle with a particular dance step and through hours of practice finally achieve it? Did they have to change their performance piece 20 minutes before show time due to another student's illness? Did they audition for a particular role in The Nutcracker and not receive it, but return the next year after hard work and achieve it?
Personal Character, Professionalism, and Discipline: Qualities like punctuality, respectfulness, maturity, self-control, preparedness, and good communication skills are all things to highlight. When they were sick, did they contact you or take the time to learn material prior to class? Were they always prepared and dressed appropriately for class?
Positive Impact on the Community: Describe their contributions to your classroom, studio, or the larger community. Have they volunteered in community performances? Do they participate with your studio/school at local fairs and parades? Have they participated in an annual cleanup day or family night?
Don’t Know the Student Well?
Sometimes, you may be asked to write a letter for a student you haven't known a long time which can add to the challenge of writing a letter. In this case, observe them in your next class to gather examples of their behavior, and highlight qualities that could reflect well in any college setting, such as professionalism, willingness to learn, or adaptability. You could also gather more information by asking the student about what their goals, achievements, and challenges have been in your class.
A thoughtful recommendation letter can make a real impact, and it is a great way to reflect on each dancer’s unique talents. I hope these ideas helped spark your creative juices so you can write a letter that showcases your student's strengths and support their next steps in life. If you're still blocked and looking for a little more guidance, below I've included sentence starters and a sample letter to help guide you further.
Happy writing!
Push Past the Mental Block with These Sentence Starters:
“I have had the pleasure of teaching [Student’s Name] for [number] years, and during that time, I observed remarkable growth in…”
“[Student’s Name] consistently stands out in class for [his/her] dedication to…”
“One of [Student’s Name]'s most impressive qualities is [his/her] ability to…”
“What I appreciate most about [Student’s Name] is [his/her] willingness to…”
“Throughout rehearsals and performances, [Student’s Name] consistently shows…”
“Beyond technical skill, [Student’s Name] brings…”
“[Student’s Name] has shown strong leadership qualities, particularly in…”
“One memorable example of [Student’s Name]'s resilience was when [he/she]…”
“I am confident that [Student’s Name]’s passion, discipline, and talent will continue to flourish in a college setting…”
“In the brief time I have worked with [Student’s Name], I have been impressed by [he/she]…”
“Although I haven’t taught [Student’s Name] extensively, I have observed [his/her] ability to…”
“My interactions with [Student’s Name] have shown me that [he/she] possess a natural ability to…”
Sample Recommendation Letter Format:
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Dance School or Studio Name]
[Date]
Admissions Committee
[College/Program Name]
[College/Program Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am delighted to recommend [Student’s Name] for acceptance into your esteemed program. I have had the pleasure of teaching [Student’s Name] for [X years] at [Studio/School Name] and have seen remarkable growth in both [his/her] technical skill and personal maturity.
One of [Student’s Name]'s most striking qualities is [his/her] dedication to the art of dance. Whether arriving early to class or taking the initiative to work on challenging steps outside of rehearsal time, [Student’s Name] demonstrates a work ethic that surpasses many of [his/her] peers. [He/She] always approached new choreography with an open mind and a willingness to embrace new styles, demonstrating an impressive adaptability that is invaluable in any college program.
I am particularly impressed by [Student’s Name]'s creative spirit. [He/She] brings a natural expressiveness that enhances each performance. During a recent production, for instance, [Student’s Name] played the key role of [role] in [performance piece], and [his/her] emotional performance elevated the entire production, leading to a standing ovation at its conclusion.
Additionally, [Student’s Name] has proven to be a supportive peer and team member, often assisting newer students with complex steps and cheering on classmates during rehearsals. [His/Her] positive attitude creates welcoming environment for everyone around [him/her].
I wholeheartedly recommend [Student’s Name] for your program. I am confident that [he/she] will bring the same dedication, resilience, and passion to your school that [he/she] has consistently shown in our classes. Please feel free to reach out if you would like further information.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature (if sending a hard copy)]
[Your Typed Name]
[Your Job Title]
[Your Contact Information]
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