Dance

B.A.

Build professional skills in performance, choreography, production, dance film, and more.

Learn cutting-edge dance and movement techniques. Prepare to be dance artists, visionaries, advocates, and leaders.

Mark Evans Bryan ’96 ,Associate Professor, Chair of Theatre, Chair of Dance

Ojeya Cruz Banks ,Associate Professor, Associate Chair of Dance

Kristine Mathews ,Program Coordinator, Music, Theatre, Dance

Upcoming Events

Mar.

'Collective Effervescence'

The Department of Dance presents a senior research dance concert.

7:30pm

Mar.

'Collective Effervescence'

The Department of Dance presents a senior research dance concert.

7:30pm

Apr.

'Iridescence'

Denison Dance Company presents the spring dance concert "Iridescence."

7:00pm

Apr.

'Iridescence'

Denison Dance Company presents the spring dance concert "Iridescence."

7:00pm

Movement practices and technique

Learn and apply physical skills critical to dance-making and body conditioning while engaging in dance technique and performance. Learn contemporary dance, ballet, hip-hop, salsa, African Diaspora, and more.

Cultural and scientific connections

Strengthen your dance technique as you learn the cultural and scientific contexts of dance, including connections to global health, film, Black dance, popular culture, and more.

Put theory to practice

Deepen your learning through internships, mentorships, and independent research as you become a more seasoned dance artist on the stage, produce performances, choreograph, and engage in arts administration.

Why is Dance better at Denison?

Join the Denison Dance Company

Especially for dance majors and minors, you can perform all year, fine-tune your dance performance skills, work with professional choreographers, and learn about production.

Become a leader in the arts

You’ll realize your artistic voice as a dancer and choreographer as you blend artistic practice with arts leadership skills. Learn project management and administration, research, collaboration, and community engagement skills.

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Practice and perform in a world-class space

The Michael D. Eisner Center for Performing Arts houses state-of-the-art stages and rehearsal spaces, including the Thorsen Dance Studio, which features natural light, a Harlequin sprung-floor system, and radiant floor heating to ensure dancers’ comfort and reduce the risk of injury. Thorsen Studio is an extremely versatile studio space, serving both as the main teaching space for the Department of Dance and as a flexible performance venue.

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Two dancers, illuminated in a soft spotlight, perform on a dark blue stage with darkness behind them.

Jobs as a Dance major

Based in the liberal arts, a Denison dance degree will prepare you for careers in many fields. Recent Denison dance majors are performers with Disney, software engineers with Nordstrom, writers with Fox Corporation, and dance teachers. Some are in grad school and are getting their MBA. See where our grads have landed.

Career communities

Dance majors often join one or more of our career communities. Consider the Visual, Written & Performing Arts, and Technology, Data & Science communities.

Career Exploration

Through the Knowlton Center for Career Exploration and its training center, Denison Edge, career coaches help you prepare for the next step after college, and industry experts help you acquire specialized skills and certifications.

A group of dancers on stage forms a tight cluster in dramatic lighting, with one dancer extending an arm and leg outward while others support and reach toward them.

Internships

Explore career paths through an internship (or two!). Denison dance majors have interned with the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Mark Morris Dance Group, American Dance Festival, Battery Dance, and more.

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Study Abroad

Study dance in your chosen region to enhance your language skills and build your career network. Conduct research on a traditional semester abroad or take a summer internship in another country.

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Summer Scholars

Delve into independent research through our Summer Scholar program. All Summer Scholars receive a stipend and a housing allowance plus supplemental funds for research expenses. Off-Campus Summer Scholars also receive travel funding.

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