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What can I do with a degree in dance?
The answer is ANYTHING!
In addition to the degree program’s emphasis on technique, performance,
choreography, body awareness, teaching, production and dance history, GMU Dance
majors have a strong liberal arts component to their education preparing them
to enter a variety of occupations.
Recent graduates of GMU Dance are working in the following areas:
Professional Performance
Mark Morris Dance Group
David Parsons Dance Company
Metropolitan Opera Ballet
European Tour of West Side Story
Professional Choreography
Fringe Festival (Minneapolis, MN)
Choreography Showcase (Richmond, VA)
Kennedy Center, Atlas Theatre (Washington, DC)
Arts Administration
Wolf Trap
Washington Ballet
Teaching
- Opening own studio (Fairfax, VA)
- Public School Systems (Fairfax County Public Schools &
Prince William County Public Schools)
- Special Populations: Retirement Community (Richmond, VA)
- Universities: Northern Illinois University, De Sales University,
Arizona State University, VCU
Body Therapies
Massage therapy
Dance therapy
Chiropractics
Health/Wellness Resource Management
Other Careers
Law
Nursing
CIA
Continued Study in Graduate School
Ohio State University
George Mason University Masters in Special Education
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
New York University
What will I study to earn a degree in dance?
Congratulations! You are beginning a fascinating and exciting journey. During
your four years as a dance major you will be introduced to new ways of thinking
about yourself as an artist, and about dance and movement. In addition to the
university’s general education requirements, your course of study will
include:
Technique
GMU’s technique program focuses on Modern and Ballet. You may take a modern
and a ballet technique class each day throughout your four years of study. Each
semester you will explore a new approach to thinking about modern dance. However,
each approach has in common its intent to develop your skills as a dancer and
has at its core an understanding of the anatomical principles that underlie movement.
Each semester classes are offered in a global experience. Recent offerings
have been in African, Afro-Caribbean, Spanish, Asian, Butoh, Uzbekistan,
Indian, and Hawaiian. Courses are also offered in jazz, and tap. In addition,
you will have master classes from artists performing in the Concert Hall
and visiting Guest Artists.
Performance
Each year the dance department presents five professionally produced concerts
in its three campus venues: the Concert Hall, which seats 2000; Harris Theater,
which seats 500; and, the 100 seat Dance Performance Studio. There are also informal
choreography showcases scheduled each semester to show work in progress. Numerous
guest artist, faculty and student choreographers set work on GMU dancers every
season, and dance majors are expected to participate in every audition opportunity.
Choreographers schedule two hour rehearsals twice weekly and most rehearsals
are scheduled weekday evenings or weekend afternoons. Dancers who are cast may
register for Performance credit .
Choreography
The four semester study of making dances begins with Improvisation
where you examine your movement preferences and expand these movement
qualities through the exploration of effort, space and time. Composition
I will focus on solo choreography, while Composition
II focuses on group choreography. The course in Rhythmic
Analysis, taken at the same time as Composition I, introduces
basic music theory which supports your study of dance making. Choreography
allows you the opportunity to hone your choreographic skills.
There are many opportunities for dance majors to make dances outside of
their course assignments. While going through the composition series you
are invited to show work in one of our informal showcases. Once you have
completed your dance composition requirements, you may show work in the
adjudication process that leads to our concert programming (Directed
Choreography).
Production
The production series is comprised of three courses that introduce you to backstage
production support. In the Fall semester (Orientation to Dance Production), you
learn the basics of running the light board, sound operation, stage management
and wardrobe support , and are given a production assignment back stage for our
December Concert. You are also responsible for strike in Harris Theater your
freshmen year. By the end of Spring semester (Dance Production), you and your
classmates will be running an entire show in our Performance Studio. The last
course in this series (Advanced Dance Production) introduces you to aspects of
costume, sound and lighting design.
Dance History:
Dance History is a two-semester course of study with a strong emphasis
on research. Dance is studied placing it in its historical and cultural
context.
Body Awareness
Dynamic Alignment teaches you about the body. You will
learn about bones, joints and muscles, but more importantly discover how
the body moves and its subtle complexities. You will become aware of the
uniqueness of each individual, as you understand the potential of your
instrument. You will also learn developmental stages of movement. In Introduction
to Laban Movement Analysis you will consider body, shape, effort
and space. First Year Seminar introduces various experiences
in somatic studies, including Pilates & Yoga.
Teaching
Methods of Teaching Dance (required of all dance majors)
and Teaching Creative Movement (an optional course) are
courses which develop your teaching skills. Field experiences in teaching
emphasize community outreach and may include teaching classes for a beginning
dance class at GMU, preschoolers, elementary and middle school children,
as well as for a retirement community.
Students interested in a teaching career in the public school system may
consider applying to earn a licensure in dance.
Synthesis
The senior year capstone course, Synthesis, includes
professional development, portfolio creation, and planning for your future
in dance. The course culminates in a presentations for the department
of artistic statements and career goals.
Teacher Licensure
This program is approved by the Virginia State Department of Education
and administered through the College of Education and Human Development
which is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher
Education (NCATE).
To be considered for licensure in dance education, a student must successfully
complete the requirements for a B.A. or B.F.A. in Dance* and in addition:
- Be formally accepted into the dance education program by the departmental
Dance Education Committee. Before requesting an interview with the Committee,
a student must: complete 45 – 60 credit hours with a G.P.A. of
2.80 or higher; and submit passing scores for the Praxis I tests (Reading,
Writing, Mathematics). It is strongly recommended that students
take the Praxis I tests as soon as ENGL 302 and a course in literature
and mathematics have been completed.
- Earn no grade lower than a C in dance and in professional
education courses.
- Maintain an overall GPA of 2.800 or higher in all coursework
in dance at George Mason University and all other institutions of
higher learning combined.
- Complete World Dance (DANC118), Teaching Creative Movement (DANC453), and
Jazz (DANC131 or 231).
- With committee approval, register for and complete EDUC 300, EDUC 302, and
EDRG 300.
- After completing all required coursework, submitting passing scores
on the VCLA, and, with committee approval, complete a full time, 15
week student teaching internship (DANC 455) which includes experiences
at both elementary and middle, or secondary levels.
For some students this course of study will require a post-baccalaureate
year. Students may design a four year plan, including summer study, with the
assistance of an advisor in the Dance Department.
*Applicants who hold a
B.A. or B.F.A. in Dance from another university must audition and present documentation
of all required coursework.
For further information, contact the Dance Department at
(703) 993-1114
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