Dance at KU
World Class Faculty
You will train daily with nationally and internationally recognized faculty. Students receive one-on-one attention, from individual advising sessions to the mentorship process for a practicum in teaching and the creation of a senior project.
Performance Opportunities
As an undergraduate-only program, KU Dance offers experience in dancing principal roles from the moment you walk in the door. Students audition and are cast by choreographers each season for performance in the University Dance Company concerts. Students also have opportunities to dance in Senior Showcases and University Theatre musical productions.
Integrated Training
We produce well-rounded dancers who can perform in any genre. Students receive instruction in ballet, modern/contemporary, tap, hip-hop, flamenco, musical theatre dance, and more.
Option of B.A. or B.F.A.
A B.A. in dance offers comprehensive technical training built on a solid liberal arts foundation, which allows our students to double-major or to pursue graduate study in any number of fields. The B.F.A. focuses on technical training and preparation for a career in professional performance. No audition is required for entry into the B.A. or B.F.A. program.
Connections to Professional Companies
Through our unique Hamburg and Peterson Guest Artist Programs, students have the opportunity to audition for and perform with professional choreographers in the field. These guest artists spend two weeks in intensive training and rehearsal with our students as they set work on our University Dance Company. These connections lead to professional dance opportunities upon graduation. Also, companies featured at the Lied Center of Kansas frequently offer master classes for our students while they are on tour.
Career Guidance
The department is committed to providing every student with the tools necessary to create their own path towards a career in dance. For those interested in performing within a professional company, we encourage participation in professional training intensives and offer travel grants to support these essential experiences. For those who wish to open a studio and build a career in teaching dance, the department will assist in obtaining internships at teaching facilities. Many dancers pursue advanced degrees in Dance Therapy, Physical Therapy, Medicine, or Law. These dancers also receive individualized advising to ensure appropriate prerequisite courses are taken and key internship positions are obtained prior to graduation.
We are also pleased to offer a custom-designed course in arts administration which provides dancers with the necessary skills to navigate their career trajectories: audition skills, resume writing, budgets, grants, marketing, creating a small business, and more.
There ARE careers for dancers, and KU Dance is committed to helping students obtain them.