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Undergraduate Programs

Dance Performance

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 (NASD). Hartt dancers develop their skills through many performance opportunities, teaching internships and participation in a rigorous conservatory-style curriculum, with expert instruction from world-renowned faculty and guest artists. Performance opportunities begin freshman year and are available to all majors. Students train in classical ballet, and modern dance and contemporary techniques with additional coursework in music, dance composition, pedagogy, performance techniques, kinesiology, repertory, technology in dance, and dance history. It is our goal to graduate technically competent, knowledgeable artists, capable of adapting to the varied demands of a career in dance and prepared to lead the field of dance into the future.

The Dance performance emphasis is designed to prepare students for careers in dance as professional performing artists. Students in this program focus on technique, performance, choreography and participate in some pedagogical training. In addition, they partake of the considerable resources of academic excellence available through the University of Hartford.  This program offers future dance performers the opportunity to develop their craft and artistry in a challenging yet nurturing environment while expanding their ability to function as engaged and educated citizens throughout their careers.



Major in Dance - Performance Emphasis (131 credits)

First Year

Subject CodeCourse TitleCredits Credits
Sem. 1Sem. 2
DFA 134Pilates-1
DFA 120-121Classical Ballet I 2 2
DFA 124-125 Martha Graham Technique I 1 1
DFA 126-127 Contemporary Dance Forms I 1 1
DFA 130 Ballet Pedagogy I 2 -
DFA 132-133 Pointe I 1 1
DFA 150 Improvisation - 1
DFA 160-161 Repertory/Performance I 1 1
DFA 162-163Variations/Pas de Deux I0.50.5
DFA 166-167 Production Practicum I 0.5 0.5
DFA 270Dance Kinesiology I- 3
TH 130-131 Music Theory/Ear Training for Dancers 2 2
MUS 110,111Paranov Performance Hour0.50.5
RPW 110 - 111Rhetoric and Writing I - II33
HLM 020 Information Literacy in the Performing Arts 0 0
MMath Elective3-
Total Credits 17.5 17.5

Second Year

DFA 140Movement Fundamentals I 3 -
DFA 220-221Classical Ballet II 2 2
DFA 224-225 Martha Graham Technique II1 1
DFA 226-227 Contemporary Dance Forms II 1 1
DFA 232-233Pointe II 1 1
DFA 250 Elements of Composition - 2
DFA 260-261 Repertory/Performance II 1 1
DFA 262-263Variations/Pas de Deux II0.50.5
DFA 266-267Production Practicum II0.50.5
DFA 271Dance Kinesiology II3-
DFA 272Musicianship for Dancers-2
DFAPedagogy Elective2-
MUS 110,111Paranov Performance Hour0.50.5
HLM 100Introduction to Music I3-
AUC All-University Curriculum - 3
Total Credits 18.5 14.5

Third Year

DFA 170Dance History I - 3
DFA 320-321 Classical Ballet III2 2
DFA 324-325 Martha Graham Technique III 1 1
DFA 326-327 Contemporary Dance Forms III 1 1
DFA 332-333Pointe III11
DFA 350Process of Composition2-
DFA 360-361Repertory/Performance III11
DFA 362-363Variations/Pas de Deux III0.50.5
DFA 390Technology in Dance3-
DFADance Elective-2
ART 100/211/212Aspects of Art or History of Western Art II or III3-
AUC All-University Curriculum - 3

Academic Elective3-
Total Credits 17.514.5

Fourth Year

DFA 171Dance History II 3 -
DFA 420-421Classical Ballet IV22
DFA 424-425 Martha Graham Technique IV 1 1
DFA 426-427Contemporary Dance Forms IV 1 1
DFA 432-433Pointe IV11
DFA 450Problems in Composition2-
DFA 474Dance Production2-
DFA 460-461 Repertory/Performance IV 1 1
DFA 462-463 Variations/Pas de Deux IV 0.5 0.5
DFADance Elective-1
AUC All-University Curriculum 3 3

Academic Elective -3
Total Credits 16.513.5

Note: The Dance Division requires a grade of C- or higher in all dance technique classes.


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