Dance Program

The Dance Program at Columbia College offers a creatively rigorous community that encourages the student to investigate, generate, and articulate her unique artistry through dance. With a comprehensive, progressive study in the dance discipline, the student will gain the experience needed to engage as a leader in the field, enriching the human experience through performance and choreography, dance education, and arts advocacy.

Majors in Dance and Dance Education

The degree programs in Dance seek to prepare major students for careers in performance, teaching, advocacy and administration of dance as fine art. The curriculum is firmly rooted in the technical study of Contemporary dance and other diverse forms. Classes are offered on multiple levels based on technical proficiency in Contemporary dance with classes specifically for majors meeting daily. In addition, training and opportunities provided through Dance Company and Leadership Semester experiences enable students to develop the knowledge and dispositions needed to engage as leaders in the dance field.

Students may choose from the Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education to certify as a teacher of dance in the Pre-K – 12 school setting and the Bachelor of Arts in Dance Studies non-certification degree program. Students are strongly encouraged to select one of three Dance certificate Programs aimed at deepening the BA in Dance Studies degree. The Certificate Programs include: 1-Dance Performance and Choreography, 2-Dance Studio/Private Sector Ownership, 3-Dance Research and Writing.

Certificate Program Descriptions:

Dance Performance and Choreography: Prepares the student to become a practicing dance artist as a performer and choreographer by emphasizing course study in increased dance technique and dance composition.

Dance Studio/Private Sector Ownership: Prepares the student for a profession in the business of teaching dance in the private sector by emphasizing course study in dance technique, pedagogy, and business.

Dance Research and Writing: Prepares the student for a path leading to graduate study in the arts by emphasizing course study in dance aesthetics, dance science and dance as a phenomenon.

Admission

The philosophy of the Dance Program is that any student who wishes to attempt the BA in Dance should have that option. Therefore, an audition is not required in order for a student to declare the dance major. All dance degree candidates, however, must meet the coursework and technical proficiency standards in order to graduate. Students are evaluated at various points as to their progress in the dance degree.

Students who wish to pursue the BA in Dance Education with Certification must meet the requirements for admission to the Education program as outlined in the Teacher Education Handbook.

The Dance Program also requires students to participate in an audition process for scholarships. Dance Scholarships and Honors

The following policies are in place for Admissions and Advisement:

The admission process of Columbia College Dance Program requires that the first year of study at the college serve as a probationary period during which time a student's talents, work habits, interests and potential are evaluated.
In the spring of the first year the Dance faculty members advise each student as to the certificate program best suited for her.
In the fall of the sophomore year, students are evaluated via the mid-point profile process.
Students have two folders housed within the Program Coordinator's office: 1) academic folder for advising and 2) personal portfolio containing assessment materials. The student is encouraged to know and revisit these folders throughout her tenure as a dance major.
Every semester, each student meets with her adviser for a one-on-one appointment during the weeks designated for course planning. She receives a complete college course schedule and pre-registration information from the Office of the Registrar. The semester course planning sessions serve as a formal opportunity to discuss any concerns the student may have and/or any concerns the department may have regarding the student's progress technically, creatively, and academically.
All official records are kept in the Office of the Registrar. These include courses taken and grades awarded.
Specialized records, such as progress assessment charts, are kept in the Dance Program office in the student’s portfolio.
Please note: The institution does not award credit for work completed in private studio settings.
Students who are not dance majors may enroll in the Columbia College Dance Company (CCDC) courses; however, they also must meet the co-requisite requirements as stated in the current Columbia College Bulletin. Students who do not participate in CCDC as choreographers or performers will be expected to assume other production roles as assigned in order to meet the course requirements.
Students who are not dance majors may take major technique classes with instructor approval and if there is adequate space in the class.
The determination of level for each dance major is made by the appropriate dance faculty member(s) and posted before advisement each semester.

For additional information about scholarships and the Dance Department’s assessment procedures, see the Dance Major Handbook.

The Columbia College Dance Program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).