Dance, B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts degree program prepares future dancers, choreographers, educators and scholars, through a core curriculum that includes traditional and experimental techniques, creative exploration, historical and aesthetic context, technology, and production skills.  Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance, the curriculum fosters growth in skills, artistry, and creative inquiry. 

The program focuses on performance and choreography. Students have regular opportunities, both formal and informal, to develop their performance and choreographic skills. Students perform in department concerts at the end of each semester, in dances choreographed by faculty, visiting artists or other dance majors. Students also may have the opportunity to choreograph for department concerts and to create self-designed projects through independent studies courses. 

The majority of students move into dance-related careers. Some graduates of the dance program have danced professionally with dance companies in New York, the Baltimore/Washington area and beyond, including Pilobolus, Taylor 2, City Dance Ensemble, Dakshina, Dallas Black Dance Theater, Cleo Parker Dance Company, Ananya Dance Theatre, and Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. Others have performed in a variety of regional venues such as Goodspeed Opera House, Disney in Tokyo, Jubilee in Las Vegas, national touring companies of Broadway shows such as Chicago, The Producers, and the Lion King, as well as performances on Broadway in Cats, Frozen, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Bad Cinderella, and associate choreographer of Shucked. Alumni have formed their own dance companies, including Dakshina, Nona Lee Dance Theatre, Pacing Bodies, and Masala Soul Project.

Students can pursue Maryland certification to teach dance in addition to the Dance, B.A. through Education or a Masters in Teaching (MAT), also through Education. Currently, there are many alumni leading public middle and high school dance programs in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County, Montgomery County and more. Many graduates teach in community studios or own private dance studios. Others have pursued graduate study in dance and teach in higher education. Others work in related fields such as physical therapy, dance therapy, psychology, nursing, yoga and body work. 

The focus of the Dance, B.A. is on performance and choreography. The curriculum for the major includes sequential courses in contemporary dance techniques, ballet, choreography, dance history, and performance. Sufficient previous training may enable students to enter the sequence in technique at the intermediate level, subject to the approval of the chairperson and faculty. Other courses explore important relationships between dance and other disciplines such as music, anatomy, and technology. Students take courses in dance technique, dance history, choreography and performance, dance and technology, and may choose electives in dance and related disciplines. All graduates must complete the degree requirements.

Through its relationship with the Department of Dance, UMBC’s education department offers undergraduate and graduate programs of study leading to K-12 Dance teacher initial certification, recognized in Maryland and 30 other states. Acceptance into UMBC or a degree program at UMBC does not guarantee admission to the education department’s teacher education certification programs. Dance majors must apply and be accepted to the education department’s K-12 Dance program and complete all requirements for both the B.A. in Dance and K-12 Dance initial teacher education certification. Students may decide to pursue teaching certification at the masters level through UMBC’s Masters in Teaching K-12 Dance, through the education department. Undergraduates may apply to this program in their junior year and take some of the required graduate courses while still undergraduates.

All dance majors are expected to enroll in one ballet or contemporary technique class every semester. The dance department highly recommends that students pursuing the Dance, B.A. take both ballet and contemporary every semester.

DANC 320 - Intermediate Contemporary Dance Techniques II (3) 

This course has been designated as the “gateway course” for dance majors. Students pass with a grade of ‘B’ or better to continue as a dance major.

The dance department produces four to six full-length dance concerts each year, featuring student performance and choreography. Talented upper-level students may be invited to work as apprentices with the Baltimore Dance Project, UMBC’s professional company in residence. The company performs at UMBC and throughout the region. Past performances have been at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.

The dance department has an active Council of Majors. This student-run group sponsors master classes and activities open to UMBC students interested in dance, whether dance majors or non-dance majors.

**To become a dance major at UMBC, entering students should declare their intention to major in Dance and attend an audition.  Students accepted into the program must pass a “gateway” course (Intermediate Contemporary Dance Technique II)  with a B or better.