University of Vermont

About the Program

The dance program offers students the opportunity to combine concentrated applied and experiential practice in composition and performance with the study of dance history, theory, and culture. UVM's B.A. in Dance, housed in the College of Arts and Sciences Program in Theatre and Dance in Burlington, VT, was approved by the Board of Trustees and became available in September 2019 — the first dance major offered at a Vermont public college or university. The 33-credit major is designed for students pursuing dance within a liberal arts context, open both to those arriving with prior training and those who discover dance in college.

Degrees Offered

Coursework

33 credits in the major. Core: DNCE 1200 Movement & Improvisation, DNCE 1500 Dance History & Legends, DNCE 2600 Dance Composition. Additional required areas: seminar (Topics in Dance Studies or Jazz in American Dance), Dance Senior Capstone, 6 credits contemporary technique, studio practice electives, production electives, and performance/pedagogy electives. Movement forms taught include contemporary (foundational to advanced), ballet, hip hop, African forms, Brazilian dance, jazz, musical theatre dance, plus Pilates and yoga.

Notable Faculty

• Paul Besaw
• Paula Higa
• Julian Barnett

Facilities

Sprung-floor dance studio in Cohen Hall (opened fall 2018), created through a donation by Michele and Martin Cohen that transformed a former elementary school into a multidisciplinary arts facility; additional spaces at Mann Gymnasium (Trinity Campus). Site-specific performances take place on Southwick Hall grounds and at Alumni House.

Performance Opportunities

Program emphasizes student creative work with regular performance opportunities, including participation in regional American College Dance Association (ACDA) festivals and an exchange program with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Rankings & Alumni