Dance

solo dancer

Shenandoah's Dance programs provide the academic and professional preparation demanded for a wide variety of career options in dance. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees are designed for the highly motivated, pre-professional dancer who is seeking a career as a concert performer, choreographer or dance educator. The Bachelor of Arts program is designed for dancers who are interested in launching a career in dance history, therapy, exercise science or physical therapy.

Shenandoah dancers are immersed in their art from the moment they arrive on campus. The intimate conservatory approach provides a focused environment for study, while the supportive atmosphere encourages individual growth and creativity. Technique courses in ballet, modern dance, jazz, tap, pointe & Pilates, deliver individualized attention and cultivate maximum progress. Facilities include two large, air-conditioned studios, one of which is a 150-seat performance space. All ballet and modern dance technique courses have live accompaniment. Choreography and performance are emphasized, and students are engaged in an intensive sequence of courses that include improvisation & contact improvisation, solo and group composition studies. Courses in dance history, dance sciences, theatre production, marketing and promotion techniques, music, and teaching techniques build a strong foundation for artistic expression and a scholarly awareness of dance as an art form.

The Dance Division presents three main stage concerts yearly in the 600-seat Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre, engaging students in performance beginning in their Freshman year. Outreach activities and showcases for student choreography are frequent. Master classes and residencies with internationally acclaimed guest artists are scheduled throughout the year.

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