Bachelor of Fine Arts - Dance

The Hartt School offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with programs in dance performance or dance pedagogy (teaching), which are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance. Hartt dancers develop their skills through many performance opportunities, a rigorous conservatory-style curriculum, and expert instruction from world-renowned faculty and guest choreographers. Performance opportunities begin freshman year and are available to all majors. Students train in classical (Vaganova) and contemporary ballet and modern (Graham, Limón, and Taylor) styles with additional coursework in music, dance composition, pedagogy, kinesiology, repertory, technology in dance, and dance history. This program offers dance performers and teachers the opportunity to grow and develop in a challenging yet nurturing environment. Hartt graduates well-rounded, accomplished dancers who are able to adapt to the various demands of a career in dance.

The Ballet Pedagogy emphasis is designed to prepare students for a career in dance education. The Hartt School boasts the only professional and nationally accredited undergraduate Ballet Pedagogy program in the United States. Students are trained to teach ballet to all ages in professional school and university dance programs. This major strongly emphasizes pedagogy, covering different styles and schools of ballet, from the earliest pre-ballet to coaching the advanced dancer.  This emphasis incorporates classroom teaching and assisting both in The Hartt School Community Division's dance classes and in area public schools. Students in the dance teaching program participate fully in the many performance opportunities available to Hartt's dancers. 

Performance Emphasis

The performance emphasis is designed to prepare students to enter dance as a profession. Students in this program focus on technique, performance, and choreography. Additionally, students participate in a pedagogy sequence training them to teach dance.