Associate Professors. S. Koester, B. Schneider.

Assistant Professors. E. Bromberg, P. Geber, K. Richards.

Associate Professors (Lecturers). J. Duffy, S. Rasmussen, J. Scoville.

Assistant Professor (Lecturer). E. Handman.

Adjunct Assistant Professors. E. Groff, P. Hackney, M. Lee, J. Meaden, C. Boye-Christensen.

Adjunct Associate Professor (Lecturer). L. Smith.

Adjunct Professor (Lecturer). Esther Rashkin.

Professors Emeriti. L. Clawson, J. Clifford, S. Fitt, P. Haskell, E. Hayes, A. Riordan, S. Ririe, J. Woodbury.

Advisors can be reached by calling 581-7327:

Freshman Advisor - Kaye Richards

Sophomore/Transfer Advisor - Brent Schneider

Junior Advisor. Satu Hummasti

Senior Advisor. Pamela Geber.

Director of Graduate Studies - Steve Koester

Director of Undergraduate Studies/Teacher Certification Advisor - Abby Fiat.

Students majoring in modern dance are trained for professional careers as performers, choreographers, and teachers. The Department also provides modern dance instruction for non-majors and develops general appreciation for dance as an art form.

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, who nurture and challenge 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 the Department's 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.F.A. program has individualized specializations in the research areas of choreography, performance, teaching, kinesiology, dance history, technology, movement in culture, and interdisciplinary and community based projects.

Departmental Major. Students must audition for admission as Modern Dance majors. 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-year residency.

The following core courses are required of all modern dance majors: DANCE 1110, 1111, 1210, 1310, 1320, 1410, 1420, 1640, 1710, 2310, 2320, 2410, 2420, 2640, 3260, 3261, 3310, 3320, 3410, 3610, 3961, 4310*, 4320*, 4460, 4461, 4510, 4511, 4850, 4851, 4875, 4571, 4711. Also, BALLE 1260, and 1270.
-------------------
*Contingent on placement

All majors are expected to complete 77 hours of approved course work in dance, including a major’s technique class each semester, one year of ballet technique and cultural dance forms requirements. For specific course information, contact the Department office at 581-7327.

Teaching Certification. Dual certification enables students to expand the grade levels at which they are qualified to teach in the public schools.  Please refer to the Undergraduate Program (Secondary Education) in the Teaching and Learning section of this catalog for information on teaching major and minor course requirements and state secondary teacher certification 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 Departmental application. All 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.

Requirements for the Major
Total Hours: 77

Freshman Year
Fall Semester
DANC 1310 Modern Dance Technique and Theory I (3)
DANC 1410 Beginning Improvisation (2)
DANC 1710 Introduction to Dance (1)
DANC 1110 Conditioning for Dancers (1)
DANC 1210 Cultural Dance Forms (2)
DANC 1260 Ballet Technique for Modern Majors (2)
Total Hours: 11

Spring Semester
DANC 1320 Modern Dance Technique and Theory I (3)
DANC 1420 Modern Workshop I (2)
DANC 1111 Movement Fundamentals (1)
DANC 1640 Elements of Music (1)
DANC 3961 Special Topics: Intro to Technology (1)
BALLE 1270 Ballet Technique for Modern Majors (2)
Total Hours: 10

Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
DANC 2310 Modern Dance Technique and Theory II (3)
DANC 2410 Modern Dance Workshop II (2)
DANC 4510 Dance Kinesiology (2)
Total Hours: 7

Spring Semester
DANC 2320 Modern Dance Technique and Theory II (3)
DANC 2420 Intermediate Choreography/Improvisation (2)
DANC 2640 Rhythm Analysis-Percussion Accompaniment (2)
DANC 4511 Dance Kinesiology (2)
Total Hours: 9

Junior Year
Fall Semester
DANC 3310 Modern Dance Technique and Theory III (3)
DANC 3410 Advanced Improvisation (1)
DANC 4571 Movement in Culture (3)
DANC 3261 Costuming (2)
Total Hours: 9

Spring Semester
DANC 3320 Modern Dance Technique and Theory III (3)
DANC 3610 Music Resources in Choreography (2)
DANC 4711 Dance History (3)
DANC 3260 Dance Production (2)
Total Hours: 10

Senior Year
Fall Semester
DANC 4310 Modern Dance Technique and Theory IV (3)
DANC 4850 Teaching Methods in Children's Dance (4)
DANC 4460 Senior Capstone I (2)
Total Hours: 9

Spring Semester
DANC 4320 Modern Dance Technique and Theory IV (3)
DANC 4851 Secondary Teaching Methods (4)
DANC 4875 Contemporary Views (3)
DANC 4461 Senior Capstone II (2)
Total Hours: 12

Graduate Program

Degrees. M.F.A. in Modern Dance.

For additional information, see the Graduate Information section of this catalog.

Admission. All applicants, following the processing of their applications for admission to the University by the Admissions Office, must complete and return a Departmental application. All application candidates must audition either in person or by video.

Areas of Research. Include but are not limited to: choreography, performance, education, kinesiology, technology, movement in culture, and interdisciplinary and community based projects. Each graduate student is responsible for identifying and developing his/her own research/thesis topic.

Master's Degrees. Modern Dance applicants must have a B (3.0) average in the last two years of undergraduate work; audition for admission to the graduate program; maintain a B average in their departmental course work; receive favorable faculty reviews of projects during the first year of graduate work; present a written thesis proposal; and fulfill any deficiencies in undergraduate requirements.

Requirements. Individual programs are designed for each student but core requirements are fulfilled by all students. The M.F.A. thesis program requires a minimum two year residency but candidates typically spend three years completing the minimum 61 credit hours of approved work which includes an individually designed thesis project and a written thesis.
 
DANC Course Descriptions