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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 are accepted into the major by taking the placement class held prior to fall quarter each year. 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 regularly attending the American College Dance Festival.
Frequently, open classes are offered outside of the regular academic curriculum with guest teachers from professional touring companies. 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) with guest artists Kathy Casey and Sylvain LaFortune. These instructors and artists have worked with some of the most innovative choreographers of our times and as teachers they stand at the top of the field. 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 Nolan Dennett, Dance Program Artistic Director, Carver 28, phone 360.650.3129.
News Flash!
The 2008 Montreal Danse Residency!
The WWU Dance Program is proud to announce the second Montréal Danse Residency at Western from April 1-13, featuring performances, lecture-demonstrations, master classes, and open rehearsals. All events held at the Western Gallery are open to the public. For ticketed events, seats are limited, so reserve early! See our Performances schedule for a full listing of events and ticket information.
 Nolan Dennett, Artistic Director of the WWU Dance Program, has received an American Masterpieces: Dance—College Component Grant!
This grant will fund the reconstruction of Susan Marshall’s The Most Dangerous Room in the House, to be performed in the Dance Program’s Annual Faculty Concert in May 2008. This is the second year the
Dance Program has received a major grant to support the reconstruction of a master work by a world renowned American dance artist. In spring 2007, Mark Morris’ New Love Song Waltzes was reconstructed and performed. Susan Marshall has been the recipient of both a MacArthur Fellowship and a Guggenheim Fellowship in recognition of her stature as an American choreographer. The Marshall reconstruction will take place in April, during a two week residency with two members of Susan Marshall’s Dance Company. Final casting will take place the first day of their residency.
Auditions!!
Friday, January 18th
Auditions for The Annual Faculty Concert, including first casting for Susan Marshall's The Most Dangerous Room in the House.
Final casting for Susan Marshall's piece will take place the first day of the Suan Marshall residency. Please check back for further details!
 Important News!
Please read below for important information regarding the 2007-2008 academic year. You will find information on:
1) Our Placement class for NEW and TRANSFER students.
2)
The New Student Info Meeting held the first day of fall quarter.
3) The Technique Level Placement for continuing students of the Dance Major/Minor.
Technique Placement Class 2008
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!).
Date: Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008.
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, 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.
Class format: approximately 60-75 minutes Ballet, followed by 60-75 minutes Modern. Class assignments will be posted by 3 p.m. on the 23rd (same day). Transfer students or those wishing to begin the choreography series should be prepared to show a short original piece of their own material. Choreographic and performance experience may also be measured by a structured improvisation the day of the audition.
New Student Info Meeting 2008
The Dance Program will be holding a meeting for NEW and TRANSFER students IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ABOVE PLACEMENT CLASS, Fall quarter 2008.
The meeting is designed to answer questions about the Dance BA, BFA and minor, as well as the teaching endorsement and opportunities to study abroad. We hope to see you there!
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 to see which class to register for this Fall.
If your name does not appear on the list, you should register for the same technique level you were registered for during Spring quarter 2007. Thank you!!
If you will be taking classes this summer, and believe this may affect the level currently assigned to you for 2007-2008, you are invited to attend the Placement Class in the fall on September 25th. The Dance Faculty may re-evaluate you at that time.
Technique Placement for 2007-2008
(Continuing Dance Students Only. Look under Placement Class for Fall 2007 placement class results)
Please contact Sherena Geariety/Dance Program Coordinator with any questions. |
