About This Program
Why Dance?
- Creativity and expression
- Physical and mental health benefits of movement
- Ability to learn quickly and take direction
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Problem solving
- Dedication/determination
Whether you are coming to UMD as an experienced dancer who wants to keep dance in your life as you pursue other studies, or are just discovering dance, the Department of Theatre Dance minor has options for you!
We offer two emphases: If you are new to dance, or haven’t danced in a while, Dance Studies offers an in-depth appreciation of dance as performance and social art form with technique classes at the beginning to intermediate level. If you’re coming in with previous training, our Applied Dance emphasis offers you opportunities to further develop technique, artistry, and knowledge of the field in classes ranging up to an intermediate/advanced level.
Technique courses in both emphases are offered in ballet, modern, jazz and tap and are supplemented by courses in dance appreciation, dance history, dance composition, and improvisation; and both give you flexibility to tailor your technique classes to suit your previous experience and interests.
Program Highlights
- Regular guest artists for teaching and/or choreographic residencies. Recent guests have included - Ragamala Dance Company, Rhythmically Speaking / Erinn Liebhard, Slo Dance / Laura Osterhaus Rosenstone
- Annual participation in American College Dance Association (ACDA) regional conferences
- Pointe class option for advanced students
Research & Experiential Learning
- Be a creative researcher! If you are interested in performing and/or choreography, you will have opportunities for both in our yearly dance concerts
- DanceWorks concerts focus on the work of our student choreographers and provide opportunities regardless of previous experience to have your work produced on our mainstage
- Themed mainstage concerts celebrate a particular focus in pieces by faculty, guest artists, and curated student choreographer selections. Recent themes include ‘In A Jazz Way,’ ‘Dancing Home,’ and ‘Dancing Tales’
- As dance is an embodied art form, you will learn by doing in all our classes, working with our distinguished faculty
Potential Careers
- Dance teacher
- Performer in dance and theatre
- Choreographer
- Dance company director
- Dance studio owner
- Movement therapy
- Dance dramaturgy
- Arts administrator
- Physical therapy
Scholarships
As a CAHSS student, you will automatically be considered for scholarships for which you are eligible on a yearly basis.
Get Involved
Attitudes Dance Association is currently one of the biggest student organizations on campus, with more than 100 members. It is a student-run group that welcomes anyone who is a student at UMD, College of St. Scholastica, or Lake Superior College; anyone who wants to dance! ADA gives you the opportunity to both perform and choreograph in their annual spring performance.
In addition, various student groups on campus celebrate different styles of dance and give you the chance to try something new or make new friends as you reconnect with a style you love; options include Ballroom, Swing, and multiple culturally specific forms with groups sponsored by their affiliated student organizations.
Requirements
Refer to the link below for more detailed information about the program, admission requirements, sample plans, and contact information.
Dance Minor Courses & Requirements