The Dr. Susan S. McKinney Department of Dance provides students with a diverse, holistic dance education. Participants partake in a rigorous four-year program that offers opportunities to explore the numerous facets of the medium— resulting in well-rounded graduates that are ready to pursue professional or continuing academic endeavors.
Our series of courses allow students to experiment with several types of dance including modern, ballet, jazz and hip-hop. And with academic topics ranging from anatomy and dance history to choreography and composition, students graduate with skills that will enable them to find success in the classroom, audition hall, or boardroom.
A participant in the Arts Achieve Grant, a prestigious four-year study of arts education practice, our department strives to continually improve the experiences that we provide our dedicated student body through innovation, collaboration, and ingenuity—both in the classroom, the studio, and on the stage.
Our Curriculum
Our dance curriculum caters to both the aspiring and the accomplished student dancer. Driven by a focus on individual strengths, we offer a variety of opportunities to hone one’s skills and knowledge: Dance Technique Students learn appropriate techniques associated with Jazz, Ballet, Modern, African and Hip Hop with specific dance vocabulary associated with each style. Choreography Students will be provided with the fundamental skills of improvisation and choreography. Students learn how to use compositional devices to create effective choreography.
Dance History Students study important historical facts and genres. Students research the impact of politics, economics, visual art and music on dance.
Anatomy Students learn how different parts of the body work collectively and independently. Students also study proper use of muscles in order to prevent injury. Proper nutrition and healthy eating are also covered.
Audition
AUDITION DATES for Fall 2017 (FRESHMEN IN FALL 2018):