The University of Utah Modern Dance Department has a history of excellence that unites the world of academia with the world of professional dance. Dance administrators regularly rank the department as one of the top three dance programs in North America. This recognition is the result of an experienced, dedicated faculty with standards of professional excellence, nurturing and challenging talented students through a rigorous and demanding program of study. Dancers from all parts of the nation and from many foreign countries are drawn by the faculty's philosophic commitment to the development of kinesthetic awareness, theoretical understanding, creative ability, and aesthetic sensitivity in addition to technical accomplishment. It is our conviction that such training not only prepares students to be vital, exciting artists but also creative human beings committed to the enrichment of society.

The undergraduate program leads to a B.F.A. degree in performance/choreography. The M.A. programs have specializations in the research areas of teaching, kinesiology, and dance history. The M.F.A. degree areas of specialization are performance, choreography, and teaching. A graduate certificate program is offered in Laban/Bartenieff movement studies.

Undergraduate Program

Degree. B.F.A. in modern dance.

Departmental Major. Students must apply to the department for admission as modern dance majors. Audition required for entrance. The first year of study is considered a probationary period during which the student is classified as a pre-modern dance major. Major status is achieved by successful completion of the freshman course requirements and by recommendation of the department faculty.

Majors are not required to study a foreign language. University general education requirements must be completed. There is no maximum limit to the number of departmental credit hours that may count toward graduation. The B.F.A. requires a four-to five-year residency.
The following core courses are required of all modern dance majors: DANCE 1110, 1111, 1310, 1320, 1410, 1420, 1640, 1710, 2310, 2320, 2410, 2420, 2640, 3260, 3261, 3310, 3320, 3410, 3610, 3961, 4310*, 4320*, 4460, 4461, 4850, 4851, 4875, 5510, 5571, 5711. Also, BALLE 1260, 1270, and 2360.
*Dependent on technical level
All majors are expected to complete 77 hours of approved course work in dance, including a major technique class each semester, one year of ballet technique or the equivalent and a jazz, character dance, or folk/square/ballroom dance requirement. For specific course information, contact the department office.

Post-bachelor's Dual Certification. Dual certification enables students to expand the grade levels at which they are qualified to teach in the public schools. Contact the Education Advising Center, 226 MBH, for detailed information.

Admission. All applicants, following the processing of their applications for admission to the University by the Admissions Office, must complete and return a department application. All
transfer and graduate students must audition.

Special Opportunities. An average of five fully produced performances and numerous informal presentations each year give dance majors substantial performance and choreographic opportunities. A variety of guest artists are regularly invited to teach and choreograph for dance majors. In addition, students and faculty are encouraged to collaborate with artists in other departments, providing a rich creative environment. The department's Performing Dance Company provides a taste of the professional dance world within the University setting. Members are selected by audition twice a year and participate in a touring program that has taken them across the United States, and to Britain, Asia, and Australia.

Requirements for the Major
Total Hours: 77

Freshman Year
Fall Semester
DANCE 1310 Modern Dance Technique and Theory I (3)
DANCE 1410 Beginning Improvisation (1)
DANCE 1710 Introduction to Dance (2)
DANCE 1110 Core Conditioning: Dance (1)
DANCE 3961 Special Topics: Folk Form (1)
Total Hours: 8
Spring Semester
DANCE 1320 Modern Dance Technique and Theory I (3)
DANCE 1420 Modern Workshop I (2)
DANCE 1111 Movement Fundamentals (1)
DANCE 1640 Elements of Music (2)
BALLE 2360 Jazz Dance (1)
Total Hours: 9

Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
DANCE 2310 Modern Dance Technique and Theory II (3)
DANCE 2410 Modern Dance Workshop II (2)
DANCE 5510 Dance Kinesiology (4)
BALLE 1260 Ballet Technique for Modern Dance Majors (2)
Total Hours: 11
Spring Semester
DANCE 2320 Modern Dance Technique and Theory II (3)
DANCE 2420 Intermediate Choreography/Improvisation (2)
DANCE 2640 Rhythm Analysis-Percussion Accompaniment (2)
BALLE 1270 Ballet Technique for Modern Dance Majors (2)
Total Hours: 9

Junior Year
Fall Semester
DANCE 3310 Modern Dance Technique and Theory III (3)
DANCE 3410 Advanced Improvisation (1)
DANCE 5571 Movement in Culture (3)
DANCE 3260 Production Lighting (2)
Total Hours: 9
Spring Semester
DANCE 3320 Modern Dance Technique and Theory III (3)
DANCE 3610 Music and Choreography (2)
DANCE 5711 Dance History (3)
DANCE 3261 Costume/Light Practicum (2)
Total Hours: 10

Senior Year
Fall Semester
DANCE 4310 Modern Dance Technique and Theory IV (3)
DANCE 4850 Teaching Methods: Children (4)
DANCE 4460 Senior Capstone I (2)
Total Hours: 9
Spring Semester
DANCE 4320 Modern Dance Technique and Theory IV (3)
DANCE 4851 Mod Dance Teaching Methods (4)
DANCE 4875 Contemporary Views (3)
DANCE 4461 Senior Capstone II (2)
Total Hours: 12

Teaching Major, Minor, Certification. Please refer to Education in the Colleges section for information on teaching major and minor course requirements and state secondary teacher certification.

Graduate Program

Degrees. M.A., M.F.A. in modern dance. For additional information, see the Graduate Information section of this catalog.

Areas of Specialization. Choreography, performance, dance education, dance history, and dance kinesiology are graduate-degree areas of specialization.

Master's Degrees. Modern- dance applicants must have a B average in the last two years of undergraduate work; audition for admission to the graduate program; pass a qualifying examination during the first year of graduate work; do a written, choreographic, or performance pilot study during their first year in residence; and fulfill all deficiencies in the undergraduate requirements.

Requirements. Individual programs are designed for each student. The M.F.A. thesis program requires a two-to-three-year residency, completion of a minimum of 61 credit hours of approved work including a choreographic or performance work and a written thesis. The M.A. degree requires a one-to-two-year residency, language proficiency at the standard level, and completion of a minimum of 34 hours of approved work, including a research-based thesis.

DANCE Course Descriptions
Dance Teaching Major