ADVICE FOR DANCERS.

Q I'm currently at the University of Central Florida studying Athletic Training/Sports Medicine. I've also ,been a dancer for sixteen years. Can you tell me more about how I could incorporate both of my passions into one career?

Name Withheld

A How about working in a dance company? While it's common to have physical therapists treat injuries under the supervision of a company doctor, athletic trainers are also capable of working with dance injuries. In fact, this degree gives you special expertise in preseason conditioning and injury prevention, according to New York athletic trainer Alan Kroll. Last, but not least, certified trainers can work independently on site (without a physician), unlike physical therapists. The downside of being an athletic trainer is that your work isn't covered by third-party reimbursements, such as insurance companies, making it difficult to go into private practice. Still, a career in a dance company can be quite rewarding. For more information, contact the National Athletic Trainers Association [phone].

Q My daughter is at a turning point in her career. I want her to attend college first, while she just wants to ,dance. Is it realistic for young dancers to get a higher education and then go on to professional ballet? If not, could you list offshoot careers besides teaching for someone who loves ballet?

Concerned Mom

A If you really want to help your daughter, you need to consider all of her options, including putting off college until her dance career is winding down. Why? Because most female dancers get their first job in a ballet company in their late teens. An exception is the dance major who joins a university-affiliated ballet company upon graduation. After performing, career options for dance lovers run the gamut from media to healthcare. For example, Rosalie O'Connor, a member of American Ballet Theatre, is developing an exciting new career as a dance photographer. I know other dancers who have become makeup artists, entertainment lawyers, arts administrators, and specialists in performing arts medicine (like me).

Q I've become increasingly concerned about my eating habits after reading your book, Advice for Dancers. ,Right now, I eat much more than normal, bingeing repeatedly within a two-hour period. How can I help myself?. This has been going on for a long time.

Anonymous

A You've already taken an important step toward recovery by acknowledging your problem with food. The next hurdle is to discover why you binge. While crash diets cause many dancers to overeat, emotional problems can also trigger a binge, particularly if you're depressed. Either way, it's important to be evaluated by an eating disorder specialist. Ask your family doctor for a referral or call the Renfrew Center (800) RENFREW.

Q I'm a 19-year-old dancer and choreographer who would also like to become a dance critic. Is it possible to work as a critic while I perform and showcase my own work? What kind of training do I need?

Amanda from Michigan

A Your background in dance should give you a leg up on the competition, especially if you also perform and choreograph. Still, you'll need to major in journalism or communications in college, while adding special courses on aesthetics, dance criticism, and dance history. A useful resource for students and professionals is the Dance Critics Association, where members can network and further their education [phone].

Q I am alarmed at the number of young dancers who enter our dance program each summer and start smoking. Is it because they're far away from home? Or is something else going on?

Dance Teacher from New York

A While there are many reasons why dancers smoke (including weight concerns), research shows that students who experience job strain are more likely to light up. For some young dancers, the vocational demands of a competitive dance program exceed their abilities. Others get stressed out because their dance program offers few opportunities for achievement in a workshop or recital. Then, there are the dancers who develop job strain because of financial problems and stressful living arrangements (like noisy roommates). It isn't enough to counsel these dancers about the dangers of smoking. We also need to help them cope with the stresses of the profession.

Q I'm a freshman at Cornell University who will probably major in molecular and cell biology. However, I'd also like to make up for my spotty training in ballet. Would summer be a good time to train intensively?

Karin Chang

A Students who jump head-first into an intensive summer dance program often get injured. As long as you begin carefully, you should be all right. It's best to build up your strength and endurance slowly by adding in extra dance classes--one at a time. The next step is to pick the right dance school. A good training program should match your technique (it should be neither too easy nor too hard), provide performance opportunities, and give you enough free time to recover from physical exercise. You'll find summer study programs listed every year in the January issue of Dance Magazine.

Do you have questions? Write to me' Dr. Linda Hamilton, Dance Magazine, 33 West 60 St., New York, NY 10023. Though I can't answer every letter personally, I'll do my best to provide you with timely, useful information here in this column.

Linda Hamilton, Ph.D., is a psychologist, a former dancer with New York City Ballet, and author of the book Advice for Dancers (Jossey-Bass).