Los Angeles is the growing center of a commercial dance scene that attracts dancers from around the world. For dance careers in television, movies, concert tours, music videos, and more, California is the place to be! With SOCAPA’s focus on creating first-class dance videos with all of our dance programs, the LA scene is a perfect fit. LA dancers are challenged to grow in style and technique from a commercial dance perspective, and enjoy shoot locations that vary from city streets to California beaches. And on top of that, SOCAPA’s LA dancers get the chance to enjoy select classes at the Millennium Dance Complex, a world-famous, state-of-the-art facility used by professional artists from Selena Gomez to Usher to Justin Timberlake.
On nights and weekends, SOCAPA students in Los Angeles enjoy a range of activities organized by our residential staff that blend the best of LA’s attractions with an unforgettable summer camp experience. Past trips have included live tapings, Venice Beach, Santa Monica, and other tourist hot spots, mixed with on-campus fun of karaoke nights, talent shows, and more!
SOCAPA Dance LA offers three separate Dance intensives that vary in length, level and focus. For experienced Dancers (Intermediate to Advanced) who are new to SOCAPA, we recommend FUSION DANCE — our most popular intensive! — which has two and three week options. If your time with us is limited, pick a focus of either Contemporary or Hip-Hop in our one-week DANCE BOOT CAMP (Beginner to Intermediate). For return SOCAPA Dancers who are at the Advanced to Preprofessional level, we have our DANCE CONSERVATORY intensive.
One 1.5-2 min Video
1 min Group Pieces
NYC, LA, and VT
Contemporary or Hip-Hop
No
Not Eligible
2wk Camp: One 2-3 min Video
3wk Camp: Two 2-3 min Videos
2 min Group Pieces
NYC, LA, and VT
Mix of Contemporary (70%) & Hip-Hop (30%)
Maybe
Not Eligible
Two 2-3 min Videos
One Solo Video
Group and Solo Pieces
NYC & LA
Contemporary Only
Yes
Yes (additional fee)
Most Dance classes are held at the main Dance Studio at Occidental College which is part of the Oxy Athletics & Recreation facilities. The dance studio is conveniently located a short walk from the residence hall and the campus dining hall. Some specialty classes are held at the Millennium Dance Complex in nearby Studio City. The final dance showcase is held at Live Arts Los Angeles, a beautiful performing arts facilty just off the Oxy campus in central Eagle Rock.
Did you know that some of the world's top names in dance have moved to Los Angeles over the last few years? Benjamin Millepied, the former principal of the New York City Ballet and director of the Paris Opera Ballet, recently founded the L.A. Dance Project and opened a rehearsal, performance and residency space in the downtown LA arts district. Choreographer William Forsythe is now a professor at the University of Southern California’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. Dimitri Chamblas, a former dancer and film producer who is a well-known figure on the European dance scene, is now the dean of dance at California Institute of the Arts. City Ballet principals, like Jenifer Ringer and James Fayette at the Colburn School, and Sébastien Marcovici and Janie Taylor at the L.A. Dance Project. Choreographers Kyle Abraham, Aszure Barton, RubberLegz, Danielle Agami and Melissa Barak all call LA their home.
Check out this New York Times article about Los Angeles Dance.If you have any questions, please send us a message. We will contact you ASAP.
Los Angeles