Dance

College of Creative Arts
Acting Dean: Dr. Wan-Lee Cheng

School of Music and Dance
CA 140
415-338-1431
Web Site: www.sfsu.edu/~smd
Interim Dean: Ronald Compesi
Dance Coordinator: Susan Whipp

Undergraduate Advisers:
Performance/Choreography—Duke, Rose
Musical Theatre—Damashek, Deeter, Whipp

Faculty

Professors—Duke, Rose, Whipp

Lecturers—Diamond, Gomes, McCarthy, Pierce

Programs

B.A. in Dance
Minor in Dance
Minor in World Music and Dance
Pre-credential Subject Matter Program (coordinated with Department of Kinesiology)

Program Scope

The B.A. in Dance is designed to provide training in dance and an opportunity to emphasize either in dance performance and choreography or in musical theatre. The program studies dance as an art form from experiential and theoretical levels, preparing students for performance, choreographic, and musical theatre opportunities. Students may also develop skills for the teaching profession and for graduate studies. Students with another major other than dance should investigate both the Minor in Dance and the Minor in World Music and Dance.

The B.A. is organized into three components: the Core, Dance Technique, and Emphasis Electives. Majors must complete a seventeen-unit core covering basic studies, the body as instrument, and aesthetics and history. Choices are available in the core to gear the student toward their chosen emphasis.

Technique electives offer the student a variety of styles and can be repeated for credit to optimize conditioning and development of expression. A minimum of twelve units of technique classes must be chosen, with nine units selected from numbers above 200. Students must audition for placement into technique level and can progress to the next level with the consent of the instructor. Students in choreography and performance commonly study two technique areas each semester or study dance conditioning or pilates in conjunction with technique. Musical theatre students study a diverse blend of courses to augment their other theatre arts and music areas.

Individualized emphasis electives should be chosen according to career goals in consultation with an adviser. These courses have been chosen and optimally organized for students who wish to pursue dance performance and choreography or musical theatre. However, students may choose courses from either emphasis area and additionally from the "Other Electives in Historical and Educational Contexts" section with advisor's approval. Technique courses may be repeated in this section for credit for a maximum of six units. Other DANC, THA, and MUS prefix courses may be used and three units may be elected from other areas of the university with consent of the major adviser. While no culminating experience is required for either emphasis, students will find significant choreographic and performance experiences through DANC 399, University Dance Theatre, or DANC 461, Advanced Choreography and Production. Musical theatre students will likewise find exciting performance opportunities with THA 333, Lyric Theatre Workshop, and THA 433, Music Theatre Workshop.

Dance Program Concerts

The dance program produces four concerts annually: The World Cultures Dance and Music Celebration, the New Moves Children's Concert, the New Moves Student Choreography Showcase, and the University Dance Theater Spring Concert.

World Cultures promotes the cultural talents of the dance program and campus community. The Children's Concert is developed by students working with children at educational sites in the Bay Area community. The New Moves Choreography Showcase highlights Dance in the creative process and is a concert of advanced student choreographic works. The University Dance Theatre is a repertory course for the advanced and versatile dancer and serves as a professional performance training company. With entrance by audition only, UDT presents exciting faculty and guest artist works on tour and in a main stage performance.

Facilities

Dance facilities are presently located in three different buildings on campus. The two primary dance-teaching spaces are GYM 146 and Fine Arts 203. Adjacent to the large Gym studio is a rehearsal room GYM 123. Locker rooms are available adjacent to the Fine Arts studio or, for a fee, in the gymnasium. Dance concerts are primarily held in McKenna Theatre, a 700-seat house in the Creative Arts Building. Low or no-tech performances are located in Knuth Hall and in the Fine Arts Building.

Career Outlook

Majors graduating from this program can seek employment in a variety of dance-related areas: performing, choreography, musical theatre, production, and teaching in public and private schools, community centers, or dance studios. Other graduates will continue their education by pursuing advanced degrees in dance, theatre arts, music theatre, or related fields.

The San Francisco Bay Area has a very active and vibrant dance, music, and theatre community with many performance ensembles, training centers, concerts, and arts service organizations. There are many ways for graduates to become involved in this larger dance community.

Teaching opportunities are available throughout the region in private and public education settings, private studios, and recreation centers. The State of California requires a teaching credential for employment in the public schools and views dance as a subject area in the field of physical education. To earn a credential, the student must follow the subject matter program in physical education with a concentration in dance, a program developed from the B.A. in Dance and from courses in kinesiology. Consult a dance adviser and the SFSU Bulletin Index for credential information.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN DANCE

The B.A. in Dance is designed to provide training in dance and an opportunity to emphasize either dance performance and choreography or musical theatre. This program is organized around a seventeen-unit core, a minimum of twelve technique units, and sixteen units of emphasis electives. Emphasis area courses in dance, music, and theatre arts should be chosen according to career goals in consultation with an adviser. New majors and minors must take the placement audition on the advising day at the beginning of each semester and/or at the designated days during each semester. Prospective students should consult dates listed at www.sfsu.edu/~smd for audition dates. It is mandatory that students consult with their adviser on a semester basis and maintain a grade point average of 2.0.

On-line course descriptions are available.

*Students in the Performance/Choreography Emphasis will typically select from DANC 304, 350, and 430. Students in the Musical Theatre Emphasis will typically select from MUS 612, THA 300, and THA 403.

MINOR IN DANCE

The Dance Minor consists of a core curriculum of three courses (7 units) plus seventeen units taken from a list of electives on advisement. A total of twelve units in the minor must be upper division. Students seeking the Minor in Dance must take the placement audition for the study of technique and pass into the next higher level of technique with permission of the instructor. Other dance courses not on this list may be used as electives. Students should take special care to follow prerequisites for upper division courses: DANC 304, 340, 434, and 461. For specific dates and times of the placement audition, please contact the School of Music and Dance at 415-338-1431 or www.sfsu.edu/~smd.

MINOR IN WORLD MUSIC AND DANCE

Consult Minor in World Music and Dance for information on World Music and Dance.