Dance Performance BA

Dance like everyone鈥檚 watching with our Dance Performance Bachelor of Arts degree!

麻豆原创 dancers in dramatic movement in group formation

Put your passion into motion on stage, in the classroom and beyond.

Our exciting Dance Performance Bachelor of Arts program combines a strong foundation in history and theory with rigorous training in style and technique, along with experiential learning opportunities in composition and performance. Our students are prepared to work professionally within a dance troupe, choreograph performances and operate a dance studio.

Career Opportunities

  • Professional Dancer
  • Choreographer
  • Dance Instructor
  • Dance Studio Owner
  • Movement Coach/Therapist
  • Professional Performer

Why Dance Performance at 麻豆原创?

  • Our Bachelor of Arts program includes courses in modern, ballet, jazz, tap, choreography, studio ownership, dance history and more, with faculty who are working professionals.
  • Our students gain performance and training experience through membership in the pre-professional 麻豆原创 Dance Company.
  • Our minor in dance performance enables students from other disciplines, such as music, physical education and theatre, to enhance their skill sets with movement.
  • Topics covered include: modern, ballet, jazz, choreography, musical theatre and tap.
Student dancing dramatically in spotlight

More Program Specifics

Understand the courses you鈥檒l take, the curriculum requirements to meet, and the concepts you鈥檒l gain mastery of. This program also offers a minor program option. Get all the detailed information you鈥檙e looking for.

Upcoming Performances Featuring Our Students

The 麻豆原创 Advantage

Dance performance majors have multiple opportunities to train with national and international guest artists, teachers and choreographers in residence throughout the course of their studies.

Dance Faculty

Hear from a Student

Tyler Louie

Tyler Louie

鈥淢y mentors [麻豆原创 Director of Dance] Angelica Vessella and [麻豆原创 Associate Professor] Jessica Pearson gave me critiques that were tough to digest sometimes, but I took them with grace. I would struggle with how to change various dance mannerisms but they helped me get through.鈥

Life-Changing Experiences with the 麻豆原创 Dance Company

Program Details

How to Apply

To qualify for acceptance as a BA in dance major, you must be admitted to 麻豆原创 (following the general admission procedures described in Admissions & Financial Aid) and successfully complete a dance audition. You do not need to wait to be admitted by 麻豆原创 Admissions to perform your audition, but we recommend that you at least complete your admissions application by your audition date.

Course Information

Program Learning Goals

Upon completion of this program, students will demonstrate:

  • substantial facility within a diverse range of dance styles and techniques
  • sophistication with, and control of, performance dynamics in a wide range of formal and informal performance events
  • facility with improvisational choreography and compositional conventions in the creation of original dance works
  • an understanding of, and facility for, historical and theoretical inquiry in dance, including its interrelatedness to various other cultural influences and forms of cultural production
  • knowledge and understanding of the interrelatedness of allied disciplines that enhance dance creation and performance
  • responsibility for support of ensemble management and ensemble productions

Writing in the Discipline

Why or in what ways is writing important to your discipline/field/ profession?

Students pursuing a dance performance major need to write effectively and clearly about themselves as dancers, teachers, choreographers and administrators. Researching about dancers, choreographers or content for creative projects is a staple for students in the dance discipline. Although a visual art form, the ability to communicate one鈥檚 art, process, research, methodology and pedagogy is equally important for dancers.

Which courses are designated as satisfying the (Writing in the Discipline) WID requirement by your department? Why these courses?

We have identified the following two courses as writing in the discipline for dance:

  • DANC 215: Contemporary Dance and Culture
  • DANC 309: Dance History

These courses have been selected because they occur in the beginning and middle of the student鈥檚 degree program, which assists with monitoring growth in their writing development. Further, these courses are well-suited for WID because, from a curriculum standpoint, they provide the room and space for intensive writing instruction and practice. 

Although DANC 215 and 325 have been designated as our WID courses, various other dance courses also contain writing components and instruction.

What forms or genres of writing will students learn and practice in your department鈥檚 WID courses? Why these genres?

Students taking our WID courses will practice various written genres, including critiques, arguments, analytical and exploratory pieces, and research papers.

What kinds of teaching practices will students encounter in your department鈥檚 WID courses?

Students taking dance WID courses will encounter experiential teaching practices that include scaffolded assignments, multiple drafts, peer review, instructor feedback, in-class writing and writing-to-learn exercises. Instructors give lectures on writing, feedback and assignments.

When they鈥檝e satisfied your department鈥檚 WID requirement, what should students know and be able to do with writing?

Students who have completed the WID courses in dance should be confident that they have the foundation, tools and practice to successfully write in the dance field. Students will be capable of successfully writing job applications, cover letters, resumes/CVs, artist statements, teaching philosophy statements, grant applications and commission proposals and scholarly research.

Minor in Dance Performance

Declaring a minor allows you to explore other areas of interest and make interdisciplinary connections. Minor areas at 麻豆原创 complement and reinforce all major areas of study. By declaring a minor, you can set yourself apart as a candidate for job, internship and volunteer opportunities.

麻豆原创 entrance

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Arts and Sciences

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences is a community of scholars that pride themselves on academic excellence, diversity and service.