SUNY College at Potsdam

About the Program

The SUNY Potsdam Dance Program is housed in the Theatre and Dance Department. A Bachelor of Arts degree is available to students who choose the dance major; students may also minor in dance. "The goals for the B.A. program focus on preparing students for careers in the dance professions as artists and teachers, and to pursue graduate study." Students in the major focus on two tracks: Technique (focused on modern dance, plus ballet) and Composition, with enrichment in improvisation, repertory, Laban Movement Analysis, dance education, history, Pilates-based conditioning, and yoga. The program aligns closely with the Theatre Program, and students participate in the SGA Dance Ensemble and travel to the American College Dance Festival.

Degrees Offered

Concentrations

Coursework

Required courses include Dance Improvisation, Dance Composition I & II, Movement Theory and Notation, Modern Dance II-IV, Intermediate Ballet, New Repertory, and Senior Choreographic Project. Technique track focuses on modern dance; ballet credit applied at adviser/chair discretion. Enrichment options include Laban Movement Analysis, 20th/21st Century Dance History, Pilates-based conditioning, yoga, dance education/pedagogy, and technical theatre courses shared with the Theatre program. Total: 35 credits for the major plus 10 credits of cognates. An interview (not audition) is recommended to declare the major.

Performance Opportunities

Dance majors must perform in a minimum of one faculty or guest artist concert work. The SGA Dance Ensemble sponsors student-choreographed productions and travels to the American College Dance Festival. Every three years the Department of Theatre and Dance joins the Crane Opera Ensemble for a musical production.