University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne

About the Program

The University of Saint Francis offers an undergraduate dance program (BA and AA) in partnership with the Fort Wayne Ballet Conservatory of Dance. Students are immersed in professional dance from their first semester, training and performing alongside members of the state's premier ballet company while earning a bachelor of arts degree grounded in the Franciscan tradition. While the focus is classical ballet, the program also offers contemporary, jazz, tap, character, repertoire, choreography, and dance history/theory coursework, plus human anatomy to deepen understanding of movement mechanics. Primary training takes place at the Auer Center for Arts & Culture, home to Fort Wayne Ballet, about 2.5 miles from campus.

Degrees Offered

Coursework

Coursework includes character, repertoire, choreography, dance history/theory, teaching, and human anatomy. Musical theater classes also offered. Training delivered in partnership with Fort Wayne Ballet Conservatory of Dance.

Notable Faculty

• Karen Gibbons-Brown (Artistic Director, Fort Wayne Ballet)
• Eleonora Pokhitonova Hartung (Bolshoi Ballet Academy graduate, character ensemble director)
• Tracy Tritz (ABT-certified instructor, ballet mistress)

Facilities

The Auer Center for Arts & Culture, about 2.5 miles from campus, is home to Fort Wayne Ballet and serves as the primary dance training facility.

Performance Opportunities

Students perform in Fort Wayne Ballet's biannual Nutcracker productions and annual spring production, plus student-led campus productions. Teaching, choreography, and arts management internships available through Fort Wayne Ballet.