The Dance and Performance Studies Program develops highly trained, creatively active and professionally oriented students with its unique curriculum. A Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in Dance/Performance. The program allows for individual attention from the faculty, all working professionals in the field.
Courses are offered in technique (Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Mime, Movement Theatre, Ethnic and Social forms), choreography, history, pedagogy, movement analysis, kinesiology, performance techniques, and other special topic courses to keep students on the forefront of emerging topics of the field. The dance faculty guides students towards partnering the Dance major with another major/minor for a broad range of career options in addition to performance and choreography; examples include Dance/Psychology towards Dance and Movement Therapy, Dance/Secondary Ed for a Teaching Certification, Dance/Biology for Occupational or Physical Therapy, Dance/PR for work in the Communication field and Dance/Arts Management for non-profit or studio management. Our department offers live accompaniment for each technique class and gives opportunities for students to collaborate with our staff composer, facilitating crucial skills for work in professional dance fields. Students broaden their backgrounds in the related arts, foster perceptive appreciation and develop artistic discrimination. An audition is required for acceptance into the program.
An important option for Dance and Performance Studies majors is the semester-long Dancing in London Program. Students may spend the fall semester of their junior year in London working with an international faculty of technique teachers and choreographers. Students also attend dozens of dance and theater performances presented by British and international companies.
Each semester, the department welcomes to campus notable artists for teaching and choreographic residencies and performance collaborations. Artists have included Seán Curran, Doug Elkins, Molissa Fenley, Billy Siegenfeld, Meredith Monk, Kate Weare, Neta Pulvermarcher, Tiffany Mills, Christina Robson, Jean Abreu, Jason Aryeh, Hilary Easton, Takehiro Ueyama, Jorge Crecis, TJ Lowe and K.J. Holmes.
