The B.A. in Dance
The Bachelor of Arts in Dance pairs physically demanding, thought-provoking coursework with ample opportunities to perform and choreograph. Every major completes a 44-credit core: 32 credits of required courses, 8 credits of technique and studio work and 4 credits of electives. A dance minor is also available.
Dance studios cap at ten students, and guest artists set choreography for the concerts and teach master classes.
The degree totals 128 credits, with 40 to 48 credits of electives. More than half of HPU dance majors carry a second major, and the department encourages every student to add a minor or second major that points toward a specific career.
Required Dance Courses
- DNC 1200: Exploration of Modern Dance. Builds modern dance technique along with rhythmic perception, spatial awareness and expressive range.
- DNC 2100: Ballet Dance. Develops ballet technique and artistry while studying the works and figures that shaped ballet.
- DNC 2200: Jazz Dance. Covers jazz dance styles and rhythms from hip hop to Broadway, plus the history of the form.
- DNC 2800: Dance and New Media. Examines dance in film, television and on the internet, and how new technology has changed the art form.
- DNC 3800: Dance Composition. Students use choreographic devices such as levels, spatial relationships and phrasing to stage and perform a culminating piece.
- DNC 4800: Capstone Project. Students research, propose and produce an original dance project in the medium of their choice.
- THE 1100: Theater Practicum. Hands-on work on HPU productions, from stage management, costumes and scenery to lighting crews and performance, with at least 60 hours per credit.
- THE 2010: Fundamentals of Design. Explores theater history and design theory through theatrical architecture, hands-on design exercises and script analysis.
- THE 4520: Developing an Artistic Career and Practice. Prepares graduating artists to sustain a practice, with portfolios, resumes, contracts, taxes, unions and networking.
- DNC 2001 and 3001, 2101 and 3101, 2201 and 3201: Contemporary, Ballet and Jazz Dance Studio I and II
What Dance Students Study
Dance coursework includes:
- Ballet, jazz and modern technique
- Contemporary, ballet and jazz studio courses, each at two levels
- Dance composition
- Dance and new media
- Lighting and sound crafts, costume crafts and makeup crafts
- Stagecraft
- A capstone thesis project
The curriculum treats dance as art, as an expression of culture and as a dialogue about the human condition. Students develop their own artistic voices by constructing and designing a final thesis project, and they learn to engage cultural dance practices and collaborate with other artists.
Read full course descriptions in the HPU Undergraduate Bulletin.
Working as a Company
The department views itself as a working theater and dance company. Every member works on every production in some capacity, learning how to light a dance piece, work with costume designers and understand how professional dance and theater are produced.
Each year brings four theatrical mainstage productions and two dance concerts, plus a fall musical, a holiday performance and occasional work in the Caine Conservatory. Fall Dance features faculty and guest artist choreography, Spring Dance is choreographed by students, and students can pitch their own productions for two slots each semester.
Undergraduate Research and Festivals
Dance students create dance films and present their work and research at national collegiate dance and undergraduate research conferences, including the American College Dance Association and the Southeastern Theatre Conference.
Dancers are regularly selected to perform new faculty work at DUMBO in Brooklyn, the Greensboro Fringe Festival and the NC Dance Festival. Graduate Mary Gomez presented work at Still Inspired: Future Artist in Chicago before continuing to graduate study at Drexel University.
How Dance Students Describe the Coursework
Every required Dance course in the David R. Hayworth School of Arts and Design is described in the Undergraduate Bulletin, and the Office of Career and Professional Development works with students from their first year. The degree is covered by HPU’s SACSCOC accreditation, and these students describe the classes and mentors behind their work.
Elizabeth Schroeder
Dance and Sport Management major · Inside Sales Consultant, Charlotte Hornets
“My most impactful moment at HPU was traveling to New York City to perform a solo that was choreographed by Lindsey Howie, assistant professor of dance.”
Catherine Gallagher
Psychology and Dance major · Research Coordinator, McLean Hospital
“HPU’s Research Rookies program through Undergraduate Research and Creative Works (URCW) and my amazing research advisors and faculty have been critical to my success in undergrad.”
Kendall McDowell
Psychology and Dance major · Miss HPU
“In the moment, it felt like my greatest dreams becoming reality.”
Explore Dance at High Point University
Dance coursework at High Point University combines technique, composition and production work in small studios.
Accreditation & Awards Careers & Student Organizations
Questions about the program? Email Lindsey Howie, director of the dance program, at [email protected].