Return to: Departments and Programs

Nina Nelson, Chair
Jane Baas
Tony Calucci
David Curwen
Sharon Garber
Natalie Marrone
Carolyn Pavlik
Megan Slayter

Western Michigan University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance. The Department’s web site may be accessed at www.wmich.edu/dance 

Department Mission

Western Michigan University’s Department of Dance is nationally recognized as a community that values aesthetic breadth, student choice, and disciplinary excellence. As a dance community we are committed to:

• The highest aesthetic standards,
• Being of service to our diverse cultural community,
• Excellence in creative and scholarly research,
• Exemplary, experientially-based teaching.

It is the goal of this student-centered department to prepare versatile graduates who will

• participate in dance and dance-related activities,
• integrate theory and practice,
• demonstrate skills, credentials and knowledge needed to carve careers, 
• articulate and apply a personal aesthetics

Programs

The Department of Dance offers three programs in dance: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance (80 hours); Bachelor of Arts in Dance (53 hours); and a Dance Minor (18 hours). The BFA program emphasizes performance, choreographic and aesthetic training and is designed for the student seeking employment at the professional level. The BA program offers an opportunity to explore the diversity of the dance profession within a strong liberal arts component, and BA students individualize their program by choosing electives that support their dance career goals. The Dance Minor is designed for students who wish to continue their dance studies as an avocation. Dance courses offered include four levels of ballet, jazz, and modern dance, three levels of choreography, three dance history courses, dance science and analysis, conditioning, pedagogy and production. An audition is required for acceptance into all dance major programs. For additional information, please refer to specific Program Requirements.

Courses for General Students

Introductory dance courses are offered for general students. Dance technique courses open to general students without audition include: DANC 1010, 1020, 1030, 1040, 1250, and 1810. A fee is required for each student enrolled in DANC 1010, 1020, 1030, and 1250 in order to provide musical accompaniment. 

DANC 1450, a dance survey course, may be elected by any student to satisfy Area I - Fine Arts of the University General Education Program beginning in Fall 1996. A $25 fee is required for each student to provide funding for guest artists.

Admission

Admission to the University is granted only by the Office of Admissions and Orientation for undergraduate students. Applications are available by writing to the Office of Admissions and Orientation, calling at (269) 387-2000, or via WMU’s web site: www.wmich.edu

Enrollment in dance major programs at WMU is contingent upon admission to the University and acceptance to the department via an audition. Auditions for acceptance into the dance department are normally held in November, February and March. The audition consists of taking class in ballet, jazz and modern, including sections designed to showcase quick-study and improvisation skills. Prospective dance majors must place into the technique level I in at least two dance idioms to meet the minimum standard for acceptance. No audition is required for dance minors; however, prospective dance minors should contact the dance academic advisor to discuss program plans and to gain entry to dance courses which have prerequisites.

Prospective students may also elect to apply for scholarships via the November or February audition dates. In addition to the three classes, scholarship candidates also write an essay on-site and have an interview with a member of the faculty. Candidates must submit two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a dance teacher. Awards average $1,000 per academic year, some of which may be renewable.

Students interested in pursuing the Bachelor of Fine Arts program may petition for entrance after completion of: at least one semester each of ballet, jazz and modern major technique courses; DANC 1800 Choreography I; DANC 1810 Dance Improvisation and at least one dance major theory course. The eligibility of transfer students to apply for the BFA degree will be evaluated on an individual basis.

The results of all of the above are communicated in writing to the student within three weeks following the audition or petition. Further information is available by calling the dance department at (269) 387-5830 or contacting the dance academic advisor by email at: jane.baas@wmich.edu. 

Transfer Credit

Dance credit from other institutions transfers as a direct equivalent to a WMU course, as an unspecified dance credit, or as credit by department recommendation only. Transfer students should schedule an appointment with the dance academic advisor immediately after admission to the University to evaluate dance credits taken at other institutions.

Advising

Dorothy U. Dalton Center, Room 3123;
(269) 387-5845

Upon admission to the University and acceptance into the dance program, each major and minor student should complete a Declaration Form with the dance academic advisor. It is the responsibility of the student to make an appointment with the advisor each semester in order to prepare for the next semester’s registration. Each student should meet with the advisor during his/her junior year to secure a Graduation Audit Statement before registration for the final semester.

The dance academic advisor is also available to counsel students on selection of appropriate majors/minors, selection of General Education courses, and other University requirements. Matters which are beyond the advisor’s qualifications will be referred to offices, on- and off-campus, qualified to assist.

Graduation requirements must be completed as stipulated in the  Undergraduate Catalog  in effect at the time the student is admitted. Requirements cannot be added during the student’s enrollment, but the student may take advantage of course and curriculum alterations if these changes enhance the student’s education. Each student is responsible for knowing the requirements of the degree and for taking the steps necessary for completion of these requirements. All dance students are urged to take advantage of advising services in the Department of Dance for assistance in making educational choices and for interpretation of requirements stated in the  Undergraduate Catalog.  

Miscellaneous

Technology Requirement

Every undergraduate student with a major in Dance must demonstrate proficiency in computer usage through one of the following options:

1. Satisfactory completion of DANC 1140 Digital Media in the Arts.
2. Waiver from the instructor of record based on demonstrable competence in all topics/modules of DANC 1140. Such competence must be demonstrated to the instructor of record in one of the following ways:
   1. The presentation of the syllabus for a course covering those topics taken previously by the student and evidence of successful completion of said course.
   2. Demonstration of proficiency in the course topics.
3. Satisfactory completion of a computer literacy course from a program outside the College of Fine Arts. This option is only for majors in the Department of Dance who also have a second major in another college that has its own computer literacy requirement. This option must be approved by the Department of Dance Academic Advisor.

Focus of Major Technique Courses

Ballet courses emphasize technical and artistic skills based on a foundation of correct body alignment, placement and turn-out, musicality, vocabulary, strength, stamina, flexibility, and kinesthetic movement quality. Piano accompaniment is provided and a variety of international ballet styles are introduced. Students are exposed to a variety of modern dance styles such as Cunningham, Limon, and Release Technique as well as Bartenieff Fundamentals and elements of Laban Movement Analysis. Courses emphasize understanding of the anatomical principles and movement theories that support these and other modern dance styles. Piano or percussion accompaniment is provided. Jazz courses support technique concepts used in ballet and modern, in addition to exploring rhythmic and dynamic qualities inherent in jazz and social dance styles. Recorded and/or live accompaniment is used in jazz courses.

Major Technique Course Progression

It is expected that the dance major/minor will spend at least two semesters in each level of technique. This is consistent with level advancement in professional schools. A passing grade in a technique class does not imply automatic progression to the next level. Faculty determine a student’s ability to move to the next level just prior to Registration for the coming semester.

Class Fees for Major Technique Courses

A fee is required from each student enrolled in DANC 1100, 1140, 1200, 1210, 1250, 1300, 1450, 1960, 2100, 2200, 2250, 2300, 3100, 3200, 3300, 4250, and 4400. A majority of the fee is used to provide musical accompaniment. The remainder is used to pay the fees and related expenses to provide such special events as classes, performances, choreography, and lectures by guest artists.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for new and current students. Awardees are selected by the faculty on the basis of outstanding achievement in the field and overall academic excellence. Entering students who wish to be considered for scholarships must audition, submit two letters of recommendation, as well as have an interview with the faculty at either the November or February New Student Audition Day. Current students apply in February for the next academic year. For specific information, contact the Department of Dance or visit the website of the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at www.wmich.edu/finaid or email the Office at finaid-info@wmich.edu or call the Office at (269) 387-6000.

Annual Meetings

Department meetings are held the day before classes begin or the first day of classes for the fall semester to prepare the student for the academic year. At these meetings, students will receive a calendar of events and information regarding Department policies and procedures. Attendance is mandatory for all dance majors and minors. Juniors and seniors enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program will be required to attend an additional meeting regarding BFA required projects on the same day of the department meeting. A winter department meeting is held in January to inform students of additional events and changes that affect them.

Additional Study Options

Students are encouraged to study with dance professionals whenever possible and to afford themselves the opportunity for study with artists-in-residence on Western’s campus. Limited scholarships may be available for off-campus study. For specific information, contact the Department of Dance.

Performance and Choreographic Opportunities

Return to: Departments and Programs