Dance

Supported by a rich artistic community and nationally recognized dance faculty, the University of Idaho offers the state’s only Bachelor of Science in Dance. The distinctive program provides personal attention from experienced dance experts, excellent concert performance opportunities and modern studio spaces to give you the professional training and strong educational foundation you need to transform your passion for dance into a successful career.

The dance program focuses on three areas: choreography, performance and teaching. Courses included all levels of ballet, jazz, and modern dance with supplementary coursework in hip hop, somatics, tap and world dance. A small student-to-faculty ratio ensures one-on-one guidance from our esteemed faculty to help you develop your personal technique and talent. Students also have the opportunity to work with world-renowned dancers and choreographers.

Quality performance opportunities are at the center of the University of Idaho dance program. The program offers two main-stage concerts each year where dance majors collaborate with faculty, guest artists and other students to choreograph and dance in the historically sold-out performances. And unlike larger dance programs, the University of Idaho program gives students the chance to perform in their first semester. Students also have the opportunity to perform at the American College Dance Festival Northwest Conference each spring.

In addition to the bachelor's degree, the program offers a minor in dance.

Prepare for Success

Due to the increased interest in the degree program and our commitment to personal student attention, dance majors are required to audition for admittance into the program. Students will be evaluated by the dance faculty on the basis of previous training, alignment, maturity of movement, core support and potential.  To prepare, you should receive ballet training with some classes in jazz and modern dance.

Your First Year

University of Idaho dance students have the unique opportunity to perform in their first semester. Students in the four-year Bachelor of Science in Dance develop a broad knowledge base with course work in dance, science studies, allied arts studies, the department core requirements and the University of Idaho core requirements. Below are some of the classes you may take in your first year of the dance program:

• Human Anatomy
• Dance Theatre
• Basics of Performance
• Meaning of Movement and Injury Prevention
• Foundations of Physical Activity and Wellness
• Technique (ballet, modern, jazz)

What You Can Do

With a Bachelor of Science in Dance, you will be prepared to pursue a career in a variety of dance-related fields, including:

• Teaching
• Choreography
• Performance

You may also pursue a master’s and doctorate degree for university teachers. Other career options include a dance critic or writer, costume or lighting designer or dance therapist.

Opportunities

With a degree in dance, your career opportunities are endless. You can perform with dance companies, in musical theater, or television, on cruise ships, in amusement parks or other areas. You may choose a career in choreography in ballet, modern dance, or jazz. Teaching opportunities include private and public dance schools.

Graduates of the University of Idaho dance program have gone on to work for a number of dance studios and performance venues including Canopy Dance Company in Madison, Wisconsin, American Dance Institute in Seattle, Live Horse Theatre in Chicago, That’s Dancing School in Florida, Discovery Program in New York City, and Northwest Dance Center in Pullman, Wash.

Alumni have also formed their own dance companies and have been commissioned to choreograph for professional dance companies.

Current Research

University of Idaho dance faculty is respected nationally for expertise and work in the dance field. Faculty members are continuously seeking funding opportunities to enrich students' learning experiences and give dance majors an opportunity to perform to a live audience.  The following research performances were funded through monetary awards acquired by dance faculty.

Continuous Replay
Professor Greg Halloran was awarded a $10,000 National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpiece: Dance College Component grant. The grant brought Donald Shorter Jr. from the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company to the University of Idaho to set Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane's dance Continuous Replay.

Suite of Three
The University of Idaho's Department of Movement Sciences has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpiece: Dance. The grant will support the restaging and notation of "Suite of Three" by choreographer Jean Erdman. The University of Idaho Center for Dance, in conjunction with the Dance Notation Bureau and Jean Erdman interpreter Nancy Allison, will restage "Creature on a Journey," "Hamadryad" and "Passage."

Hands-On Experience

Fall Concert
As one of the two main stage dance concerts performed each year, the fall concert is a performance with choreography by faculty, guest artists, and students. Belle Baggs directs the concert and features work by internationally acclaimed dancers. In the past, these have included Bill Evans and re-stagings of modern dance pioneer Doris Humphrey.

Dancers, Drummers and Dreamers
This spring performance is a collaboration with the Lionel Hampton School of Music. The show is co-directed by Dan Buckvich and Diane Walker. Dancers, Drummers and Dreamers is unique to any other dance performances. All dances are performed to original, live music composed by the music faculty and students. Every year it is performed to sold-out houses.

Visiting Professionals
Students work with world-renowned visiting dancers and choreographers who teach and choreograph for Dance Theatre. Past guest artists include Bill Evans, Frankie Manning, Henning Rubsam, Amy O’Neal, Lineage Dance and Donald Short Jr. from the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company.

Student Projects
The works of University of Idaho dance majors have been shown at American College Dance Festival Association, including as a runner-up for nationals, and have won university research awards for their choreography. Many seniors choreograph and produce their own concerts.

Facilities

Dance Studios
The dance program holds classes in its two large dance studios, including the newly renovated 55’ x 60’ dance space with a new state-of-the-art sprung floor. The studio is equipped with new lights and curtains and converts to a 120-seat theater for student concerts. Main stage dance productions are held in the university's 417-seat Hartung Theatre.

Physical Education Building (PEB)
Home to the Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Department, the PEB facility has two full-size basketball courts, two dance studios and the only squash court on campus.

Other Facilities
We also offer courses at the Kibbie Dome, the Swim Center, the Student Recreation Center and various outdoor facilities across campus (tennis courts, Guy Wicks Field, Kibbie Sprint Turf, Dan O'Brien Track & Field).

Online & Outreach

Our dance program has strong connections to the surrounding Moscow community and collaborates with the school of music for some performances. With the strong support and involvement of community members, you will learn to perform before sold-out audiences and to work with volunteer and participating community members. There are also teaching opportunities at local studios in the area.

Faculty Involvement

The Center for Dance offers a professional faculty who are known nationally for their teaching and choreography. There is a small student to faculty ratio to give students the leading edge needed in the dance field. Students work one on one with the faculty to prepare individual career goals in dance.

Belle Baggs
Clinical Assistant Professor
» View Belle Baggs Profile