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 It is our mission in the Dance Program to educate a new generation of dance artists who are skilled verbal and non-verbal communicators able to illuminate the complex issues of the modern world. We strive to instill in our majors a physical and intellectual understanding of the language of movement art that is representative of the human condition in all its inspiring variety. In the course of theirs studies, students of the BA/BFA dance majors will learn to understand, perform, create, evaluate, and contribute to contemporary thinking about dance and related arts.
The College of Fine and Performing Arts offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts as well as a dance minor and a teaching endorsement. Please visit our Degrees Offered page for a detailed
account of each degree possibility.
Western's Dance Program is focused on performance and choreography. Students with a minimum of 15 WWU credits are accepted into the major under advisement and after placement into Modern I technique or above. Over the course of their studies, students will be assessed in their ability to function in a variety of artistic roles: to perform in public as dancers, to develop visual and aural perceptions, to become familiar with and develop proficiency in modern and competency in ballet techniques. Students also have the opportunity to advance their choreographic potential in studies that include traditional and/or experimental approaches. It is our aim to familiarize students with the historical and cultural dimensions of dance, including the works and philosophies of leading dancers and choreographers both in the past and present. We teach our students to understand and evaluate contemporary thinking about dance and related arts and to make informed assessments regarding quality works of dance. Our goal is to teach a physical and intellectual understanding of the language of movement art.
Learning Outcomes and Assessment
Learning objectives for the Dance Program revolve around five core competencies to assure that program graduates are skilled written, oral, and non-verbal communicators and critical, reflective thinkers who understand and promote diversity, are engaged in their communities and their cultural arts; and are professionally prepared for a lifelong relationship with the arts. Each core competency is developed sequentially throughout the curriculum from core courses to advanced work in ballet, modern dance, and choreo-graphy. Specific learning objectives, teaching strategies, and assessment criteria are detailed in each course syllabus and in the detailed program assessment plan.
Throughout the program, there is a critical evaluation of the student's work by the dance faculty. For students who complete the supporting endorsement in dance, teaching potential is critically measured in a student teaching practicum. In addition to these formal methods, students of the dance program have quarterly evaluations with each instructor. As such, students are also given regular and ongoing examinations in regard to their anatomical awareness, technical proficiency, and creative development. Generally speaking, a B average is required to advance from one technique level to the next. However, the dance faculty reserves the right to evaluate each student individually before making a decision.
Western's Dance Program offers experiences in performing, directing, teaching, producing and choreographing. These experiences include everything from experimental movement theatre productions, to collaborations between art and music departments to strictly traditional dance concert events. Students also have the opportunity to choreograph and perform for the dance touring program that visits the public schools in Washington as well as attending the American College Dance Festival.
Open classes offered with guest teachers from professional touring companies enhance the regular academic curriculum. It is believed that these classes add to the overall experience of the dance student at WWU.
Incoming students are encouraged to take the six-week summer intensive (end of June through July). The summer intensive is an excellent way for the department to get to know prospective students and to determine placement in technique classes previous to fall quarter. The summer brochure is available in spring. To register contact the summer sessions office at (360) 650-3757. Partial scholarships are available for the summer sessions and for talented juniors and seniors during the academic year.
For information and advisement contact Cher Carnell, Dance Program Acting Director, phone 360.650.2274 or cher.carnell@wwu.edu.
* NEWS FLASH * NEWS FLASH *
Studio Calendars
Please email Sherena Geariety to schedule studio rehearsal requests for Carver 60, Big Ving Studio, and Little Ving Studio. Priority scheduling given to students & faculty with upcoming performances. (Faculty can view the yearly calendar on the Pdrive. For students needing to schedule time for upcoming months, the yearly schedule can be emailed to you upon request.)
Big Ving studio schedule - as of November 12, 2009
Carver 60 studio schedule - as of November 12, 2009
Little Ving studio schedule - as of November 12, 2009
Directions to Ving
Downtown Studio ...Ving! located at 311 E. Holly Street, downtown Bellingham. For Ving! directions go to www.wwu.edu/transportation/walkbikebus.shtml.
Audition/Level Placement - during the academic year
Auditions for level placement can be arranged on an idividual basis for interested students able to come to WWU campus while classes are in session (usually weeks 2-9 of an given quarter). Contact Cher Carnell at 360-650-2274, ext. 2 or cher.carnell@wwu.edu to set up a potential visit.
Technique Placement Class for 2009-2010 Acedemic Year
- September 22, '09
Fall 2009 Ballet Placement results
Fall 2009 Modern Placement results
The Dance Program will be holding a Technique Placement Class for ALL new students interested in the Dance Major and Minor. The class is also open to non-majors interested in taking dance classes. Non-majors will be allowed to register for dance classes on a space available basis.
The purpose of the class is to help students and faculty be assured of registering for the appropriate class level (i.e. don't be intimidated, please come; it is in your best interest!).
Wear dance attire that we can see you move in, ballet slippers for the ballet portion, bare feet or sandals for modern.
Date: Tuesday, September 22rd, 2009.
This is the day before the first official day of classes for Fall quarter!
If you are unable to attend the placement class, please contact Cher Carnell/Acting Director & Dance Program Advisor. You may email her at cher.carnell@wwu.edu.
Time: 9:30am -12pm
Location: Dance Studio ...Ving! at 311 E. Holly Street, Bellingham. (For directions go to www.wwu.edu/transportation/walkbikebus.shtml).
Class format: approximately 60-75 minutes Ballet, followed by 60-75 minutes Modern. Class assignments will be posted by 2:30 p.m. on the 22rd (same day).
Class Placement for Continuing Dance Majors and Minors:
The Dance Faculty at Western believes that each student grows and matures as a dancer and performer at individual rates, and we believe that proper placement in technique class levels will help each student achieve that growth and improvement. Your placement reflects the best environment for your development as a dance artist and performer, and your instructors look forward to working with you!
Please check the posted list on September 22 at 2:30pm to see which class to register for this Fall. The posting will be on this website, Carver Dance Studio, and Ving!
If your name does not appear on the list, you should register for the same technique level you were registered for during Spring quarter 2009. Thank you!!
If you have taken classes this summer, and believe this may affect the level currently assigned to you for 2009-2010, you are invited to attend the Placement Class on September 22th at 9:30am -12pm at Ving! The Dance Faculty may re-evaluate you at that time.
Please contact Sherena Geariety/Dance Program Coordinator with any questions.
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