The Department of Dance offers three degrees, serving approximately 232 majors in four programs (Modern/Contemporary Dance, Ballet, Dance Education, and Ballroom Dance). A common core curriculum is shared by all programs that reinforces 21st century skills and knowledge in dance and transferable skills and dispositions.
UVU is an engaged teaching institution. Courses are taught by faculty with a focus on facilitating the growth and development of the pre-professional student. Dance major classes are generally small to provide personalized mentoring.
The Department of Dance resides within the Rebecca Lockhart Building and has six spacious studios. The new UVU School of the Arts Noorda Performing Arts Center provides students with two additional studios that transform into a 175 seat Dance Theater. In addition, the department now presents its concert season in this new state-of-the-art facility.
Performance opportunities include fully produced formal concerts of eight performance companies as well as informal showings and performances of student and faculty works.
Nationally and Internationally recognized guest teaching artists and choreographers are brought to campus yearly to mentor and work with students in all programs.
Performance scholarships are awarded on a yearly basis to outstanding students in the modern/contemporary, ballet and ballroom programs.
The Department of Dance has an accomplished professional faculty. They have performed with the national and international companies of Diavolo, Momix, Doug Verone, Ballet West, Ririe Woodbury Dance Company, Repertory Dance Theater, and the Dutch National Ballet. They are nationally recognized leaders and scholars. They have contributed as presidents, fellows, board members, presenters, and consultants for regional, national and international organizations, including, but not limited to Harvard’s Project Zero, Corps de Ballet International, the National Dance Education Organization, Dance and the Child International, Utah Dance Education Organization, Utah State Office of Education, and the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters (UASAL).
International student study and performance tours to Spain, China, Denmark, Scotland, and England.
The Department of Dance represented the Northwest Region at the Kennedy Center American Dance Festival Concert and has received two prestigious National Endowment for the Arts Grants.
Invited through national adjudication to perform in the American Guild Performance Festival, BAM Wave Rising Festival, Dance Gallery Festival, Utah Arts Festival, and Northwest Regional Dance America Festival. Awarded 1st Place at Youth America Grand Prix, Blackpool International Ballroom Competition, and the National Collegiate Ballroom Competitions.
The Department of Dance values engaged learning opportunities by bringing regional, national, and international professional guest artists and companies to campus to present workshops, masterclasses, choreographic residencies, and performances for students within the department and the larger UVU community.
Guests include Virginie Mecene, Jeffrey Louizia, Liz Lerman, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, Justin Bass, Bill Evans, Carl Flink, Francisco Gella, Nina Watt, Kumiko Kashiwagi, Andy Noble, Natosha Washington, Anna Mansbridge, Mike Esperanza, WHYTEBERG, Maria Gillespie and more!
The Department of Dance offers bachelor degrees preparing students for both graduate school and diverse professional careers in the fields of dance performance, choreography, pedagogy, science, somatic practices, and research. Graduates from the department have acquired 21st Century skills and dispositions (transferable skills) that also allows them to pursue careers in dance related fields.
MFA (choreography, performance) or MA (dance scholarship, therapy, teaching, history, criticism, arts management). Students interested in obtaining a graduate degree may also be interested in such professional programs as law or the MBA, amongst others.
A liberal arts degree in general, reflects a comprehensive education emphasizing analytical skills, critical thinking and communication skills; abilities in high demand for all employers. Concentrating your studies in a major allows you to also gain specific transferable skills of interest to particular employers and industries. Graduates with a major in Dance are attractive to employers due to their abilities in the following areas:
