Department of Dance

Webster University’s Department of Dance requires an audition for the BFA and BA degree. The Dance minors do not require an audition.

Majors and Degrees Offered

BFA in Dance with an emphasis in:
   Ballet
   Modern

BA in Dance with an emphasis in:
   Ballet
   Modern

Minors Offered

Minor in Dance Technique with an emphasis in:
   Ballet & Modern
   Jazz & Tap

Minor in Dance Theory

Course Listings

• Dance

The Department of Dance mission is to:

• Celebrate excellence in dance
• Promote the uniqueness of the individual artist
• Empower performers, choreographers and teachers to be versatile
• Embrace dance as an art form within a global community
• Challenge each student to strive for mastery of their discipline

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Educational Goals

The objective of our Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Arts program in Dance is to provide a stimulating environment that promotes the uniqueness of each artist, and to prepare choreographers, performers and teachers to be versatile in the global world of dance. This is accomplished through disciplined course work, devised to develop exemplary creative, intellectual and physical potential. Our goal is to prepare the individual for a career and/or post-graduate study in the field of dance.

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Educational Objectives

• Performance: Perform a variety of techniques and styles with a broad spectrum of expressivity and with quality technical expertise
• Choreography: Create and produce imaginative, original, in-depth choreographic work and direct students in the performance of that work
• Teaching: Create and execute exemplary, innovative lesson plans for a variety of ages, techniques and populations; develop skills to communicate movement vocabulary to others
• Integrate and successfully utilize knowledge from courses in the breadth of the discipline
• Function in a variety of contexts, creating global awareness; acquire an objective knowledge of self, an ability to research, be resourceful and flexible; also formulate interpersonal, technological, and collaborative skills.
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Special Study Opportunities

BA students are able to dance intensively while also working towards a second major or certification.  The BA Capstone allows research, an internship, or project with a focus on pedagogy, history, criticism or a topic of the student’s choice.

BFA students receive a total of 3 years of choreographic experience.  As a capstone project, the BFA candidate culminates his/her college career by creating works for the senior BFA concert and is expected to complete all aspects of production including costuming, lighting and PR/marketing.

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Special Requirements

Acceptance to the Department of Dance as a degree-seeking student, BA or BFA is by audition and consists of the following:

• An interview to discuss career goals and past history
• Submission of résumé
• Performance of approximately three minutes of choreography
• Participation in a Ballet and Modern Technique Class

There are no limitations on the degree of intensity with which dance work can be pursued.  In the second semester of the second year the dance major, assisted by his or her advisor, prepares a written proposal of specific goals in his or her intended major. It may be presented in terms of career goals, such as teaching, performing; as a declaration of intended choreographic accomplishments; or as an approach to the study of dance with personal learning goals. The entire dance faculty will evaluate the individual's realistic ability to accomplish those goals.

In the first semester of the final year, the dance major has an exit interview with dance faculty, accessing accomplishments thus far and focusing on individual goals for the major’s final year, as well as post graduation.

Courses completed with a grade of D do not count toward fulfilling the specific course requirements of the major.

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