Skidmore College
Dance Department

Welcome to the Dance Department
at Skidmore College

The Dance Department Mission Statement:

The mission of the Dance Department is to link critical thinking, analysis, craft, history and creativity with the distinct movement skills derived from studio practice and stage performance. Students are required to work toward proficiency in the particular movement language of Western and/or Eastern dance forms: classical ballet, modern/contemporary dance, jazz dance, and Bharata Naytam (temple dance of India). Students learn to recognize and distinguish the many diverse sources of dance, such as culture (both ancient and pop), mythology, society and nature. Students select a specific area of study within the major: general dance, performance/choreography, or dance history/criticism. The major leads to a bachelor of science degree.

In studying dance technique, choreography, production, history, biography and criticism, students develop a deeper understanding of the relationship of body, mind and spirit in the multi-cultural world of dance. Students acquire the critical skills necessary to make informed judgments about dance as an art form. The dance major prepares students for further study or careers in the fields of performance, choreography, dance education, dance history/criticism and arts administration.