Dance (DA)
Interested in...
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- building on the dance training you had back home?
- - performing on the Dance Theater stage?
- - trying a style of dance for the first time?
- - pursuing a major or minor in dance?
The Dance Department aims to make dance available to all students on campus. Any student, regardless of major, is welcome to study and perform with us. All courses have major and non-major participation.
The mission of the Dance Department is to link critical thinking, historical perspective,
and creative discovery with the distinct movement skills derived from studio practice
and stage performance. Students develop a deeper understanding of dance and how it
has emerged as an art form. They learn to recognize and distinguish the ways in which
culture and society influence dance and, conversely, how dance embodies and expresses
the human experience. Ultimately, they emerge with a more complete understanding of
how dance will impact and influence their lives.
Students work toward proficiency in the major through a combined course of study that
includes intensive dance technique, dance history/criticism, and theoretical, improvisation
and composition classes. The dance major leads to a bachelor of science degree, preparing
students for a career in the fields of performance, choreography, dance education,
dance therapies, arts administration, and dance criticism. Dance majors and minors
are encouraged to investigate related areas of study, and many of our majors combine
the dance major with other areas of interest. Recent graduates have earned degrees
in both dance and exercise science, art history, English, theater, computer science,
psychology, government, neuroscience, and biology (pre-med).
View the Incoming Dance Student Information sheet to learn more about technique courses, performance workshops, theory and application courses, overall course sequence through the major, and more!
Incoming Dance Student Informatipon
Recommended courses for a prospective major
Fall
Dance Technique Courses
DB 111A Ballet I, DB 211A Ballet II, DB 311 Ballet III
DM 111A Modern I, DM211A Modern II, DM 311
Modern III
DA 212 Jazz 1
DA 213 Tap 1
DA 217 Afro-Caribbean I
DA217 K-Pop I
DA 312 Jazz 2
Dance Theory Course
DA 227 Improvisation
DA 230 Dance and Society I
Spring
1-2 dance technique classes which may include:
Dance Technique Courses
DB 111A Ballet I, DB 211A Ballet II, DB 311 Ballet III
DM 111A Modern I, DM211A Modern II, DM 311
Modern III
DA 312 Jazz 2
DA 317 Afro-Caribbean II
DA 313 Tap 2
Dance Theory Courses
DA 228 Choreography I
DA 279 Music for Dancers/Choreographers
DA205 Anatomy and Kinesiology for Dancers
Workshop/Production Courses
Ballet Workshop and/or
Modern Workshop and/or Tap Workshop and/or
Afro-Caribbean Workshop
If you are not enrolled in a dance course in your first semester but would like to be added to the dance student mailing list, email Ellen Grandy (egrandy@skidmore.edu).
Do not hesitate to reach out to Chair Sarah DiPasquale or Associate Chair Erika Pujič with any questions before registration or during the year.
We hope to see you in the dance studios!
Dance Center/Sports and Recreation Center
518-580-5360