Music Degrees Online

The art, the training, and the degree – they come together in SDSU’s dance program in the School of Music and Dance. Students combine professional-level training with studies that earn them a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance.

The degree in dance is built on a program with a 25-year history of distinguished choreography and technical training.

Philosophically, the program promotes dance as a communicative and expressive medium uniquely effective in the conveyance of meaning, emotion, and cultural values. It is a program that recognizes dance as an art and encourages students to take chances and find their own voices as individual artists.

Dance is a rigorous and specialized area of the performing arts, demanding a high level of physical preparation, as well as a thorough understanding of aesthetics and academics.

Upon graduation, students find that the technical and choreographic dance training opens the door to a large variety of professional careers in dance and dance-related fields.

Modern dance, ballet and innovative choreography are at the core of the SDSU dance curriculum, long recognized for its teaching excellence and contemporary aesthetic. In addition, dance activity courses provided in the School offer experiences for the general student population in modern, jazz, ballet, ethnic, and social forms.

Students have ample opportunity to develop and polish their dance skills in classroom and public performances within the SDSU dance program. As members of the University Dance Company, students perform in choreography and repertory works set by distinguished guest artists and faculty. Each student stages original work in a senior recital.

Why study this course at the University of Cumbria?
This pathway is designed for students wishing to explore contemporary and popular dance techniques, choreography and physical theatre, studying with professional practitioners in a stimulating and friendly environment.

What is this course about?
You develop dance skills, gain knowledge and, most importantly, make and participate in choreographed pieces. Throughout the course there are opportunities to perform in productions and participate in workshops led by visiting professional practitioners.

Our resources are good. We have a main theatre seating up to 180 people and also a studio theatre in-house which seats 80. Classes are conducted in our purpose-built dance studio complete with mirrors, barre, sprung floor and air conditioning. There are support facilities for productions, including set-construction workshops, sound recording studios and video/media production edit suites. Rehearsal rooms include three drama studios, two singing rooms and conventional teaching spaces.

Year one starts by introducing you to practical dance skills in contemporary, jazz and ballet, all underpinned by theory. These are accompanied by four internal showings and two supporting essays.

In year two, you work as a dancer, in the making and performing of two dance pieces. One is choreographed in-house and performed in our Stanwix Arts Theatre; the second is choreographed by an external professional and designed for site-specific work. There are two associated essays plus a work placement.

In year three you work as a dancer in a major final performance led by an external choreographer and also create an original dance piece to perform in the main theatre. You conclude your theoretical work by researching and writing an extended essay on a subject of special interest within the area of dance.

This subject can be studied with—Drama Performance, Musical Theatre Performance or Technical Theatre.

What do our students say?
“I’ve really enjoyed my dance course. The tuition is excellent and tutors are approachable, friendly, creative and supportive.” Rachel, year three undergraduate

What can the course lead to?
Graduates may seek roles as performers, create their own touring companies, work in theatre or education or progress to MA or PGCE level. The transferable skills gained during the course are highly respected in many careers involving communication skills, such as media, public relations and teaching.