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School of Theatre & Dance

College of Design, Art & Performance

Dance Program Overview

Dance is a physical, embodied art form. It connects people without words – and connects us to our own humanity through an awareness of the body. Dance allows you to focus and free yourself at the same time. Come fulfill the magic of movement at ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵDance.

The ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵ’s dance program prepares and inspires students for a life in dance. Our exclusively undergraduate program emphasizes intensive training in ballet, modern dance, and choreography. Students acquire understanding of dance theory and dance kinesiology to enhance movement and prevent injury. Dance faculty members are well-known professionals with wide-ranging experience as dancers, choreographers, and teachers. They maintain a close mentoring relationship with students in all classes.

Central to the dance program is our commitment to the creation of original choreographic works by students, faculty, and guest artists. These works are presented in regular public performances by students throughout the year.

Housed in its own Dance Center, students at Dance¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵenjoy the support of a strong dance community, as well as access to services and resources from a large public research university.

Dance¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵoffers the following degree/certificate programs:

Comprehensive Dance Curriculum

The curriculum for all dance majors includes courses from three areas. Studio Technique consists of four progressive levels in ballet and modern dance, with live music provided by professional musicians. Creative Studio Studies emphasizes improvisation and features four levels of choreography. Dance Theory provides extensive study in music for dance, dance kinesiology, movement analysis, dance history, pedagogy, and research in dance. Students are encouraged to expand their view of dance to include other cultures and ideas of performance.

Exciting Guest Artists

¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵDance brings renowned guest dancers and choreographers to work with students in workshops and performances. With support from the Holloway Endowment and Macy’s Visiting Artist Endowment, Trisha Brown, Bill T. Jones, Doug Varone, Rosie Herrera, Donna Mejia, Robert Moses, and more have set original or existing works on Dance¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵstudents.

Study Dance in Paris

¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵDance offers one of the most exciting study abroad options available to dance majors. The faculty-directed ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵDance in Paris Program offers semester and summer courses of study. Both are one-of-a-kind opportunities for serious dancers to take classes, see performances, live in and experience the French capital from the point of view of a dancer.

 

  • Dancers performing on stage in the Fall Dance Concert.

    Dance Performance

    Students pursuing the BFA in Dance Performance will select an emphasis in ballet or modern dance, although focused study of both is required.

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  • Students practicing ballet positions in class.

    Dance Studies

    Students seeking the BA in Dance Studies will explore dance in relation to other fields of interest, leading to a thorough liberal arts education within a focused area of study.

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  • Students practicing dance in the studio.

    Dance Minor and Undergraduate Certificates

    The ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵdance department also offers a dance minor, an Advanced Dance Studies Certificate, and a Dance Medicine and Science Certificate.

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