About
The Bachelor of Arts in Dance Studies at Appalachian State University was created to enable students with ability and interest to discover a way to keep dance as part of their lives forever. The program attracts students who have dance as their primary focus, but also have other interests they wish to experience.
This degree program takes an integrative and cross-disciplinary approach to dance in which students make connections among disciplines and ultimately experience dance on a deeper and more multidimensional level. They become trained for professional careers in dance but also develop skills that are highly transferable to other pursuits. The program encourages students to select a minor or second major in another area of interest to become a well-rounded artist.
The program’s vibrant and diverse faculty members share a student-centered, holistic approach to teaching dance that guides students to develop awareness and integration of body, mind and spirit. Students can experience varied styles of dance, and a dynamic, cocurricular production program that offers exemplary experiences in performance and choreography.
After Graduation
Employment: Most students start careers in teaching, performing, production or related fields. A list of recent employers is located in the right column.
Graduate School: Students who have decided to pursue graduate studies have gone recently to Naropa University for transpersonal psychotherapy, Florida State University for a master’s degree in dance, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill for social work, Vanderbilt University for human development counseling, University of Roehampton in London, UK, for an master’s in dance anthropology, and Appalachian State University for school counseling.
People
Related Programs
Minors
A minor is required. The Dance Studies program encourages students to minor or double major in another area of interest, as connections can be made between dance and many other disciplines. This contributes to a well-rounded student and artist. Popular minors include:
- Business
- Biology
- Geography
- Math
- Theatre
- Studio Art
- Photography
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Somatic Sustainability
Engagement Outside the Classroom
Performance (an important cocurricular part of academic learning in the Department of Theatre and Dance)
- First Year Showcase – The Department of Theatre and Dance's First Year Showcase connects first-year and new transfer students with upper-level students and faculty/staff in dance and theatre. It is held annually in September of each year, with casting occurring the second week of August. This inclusive production incorporates anyone who wants to be involved by devising a show in just three short weeks. The show is open to all students in any area of study but would be of particular interest to those considering a major or minor in theatre or dance.
- Fall Appalachian Dance Ensemble (FADE) – FADE is a fully mounted performance by the dance program. It is choreographed by both faculty and students and performed by students.
- Spring Appalachian Dance Ensemble (SADE) – SADE is another fully mounted performance for faculty and student choreographers/dancers. All students who are enrolled in a dance technique or bodywork class are eligible to audition to perform in the Fall and Spring Appalachian Dance Ensemble concerts.
- More opportunities – Dance students also perform in musical theatre productions in connection with the theatre area of the department, collaborate with the Hayes School of Music to perform in operas and participate in informal performances across campus, such as the Diversity Celebration or other showcases.
Student Clubs
- Momentum – This dance club produces an annual Showcase, featuring original student choreography, in the Varsity Dance Studio to raise the profile of dance at App State. Club activities include student-planned master classes and fundraising activities. Membership is open to all interested students.
- Entropy – This street-style dance club performs on the Boone campus and in competitions and workshops throughout the region. There is an audition for membership.
- Syncopation – This club aims to give all students who enjoy tap dancing the space to improve and collaborate with others who share this interest. Meetings are student-led, where members teach warmup, across-the-floor, center combinations, or a combo.
See all department-associated student organizations.
Pilates Teacher Training Program – An optional, continuing education program sponsored through the College of Fine and Applied Arts, Conference and Events Services and the Department of Theatre and Dance. It accepts 6-12 students who have taken 2-3 semesters of prerequisite coursework for an intensive spring and summer training/apprenticeship, which is offered in odd years.
This program serves students who wish to further their study in Pilates and receive a certification that will allow them to teach in multiple venues after graduation.
Global Learning
The Department of Theatre and Dance is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.
The study abroad program Rhythm and Revolution: Cuba is a six-credit-hour program including two courses, each with cross-listed options. Students who participate in this program engage in embodied learning of social dance (salsa); understand Cuba’s journey from a Spanish colony to a Marxist-Leninist state; and engage in cultural exchange by eating like a Cuban and meeting Cuban people in schools, restaurants, workplaces and even their homes. All students are welcome.
Admission Requirements
There is no audition necessary for entrance into the Dance Studies Program. A GPA of 2.5 or better is required in the major.
Why Appalachian?
- The Dance Studies Program is certified by the National Association of Schools of Dance.
- The program is unique because of its broad offering of Somatics-based courses including: Somatics, Pilates Mat, Pilates Equipment, Gyrokinesis, Gyrotonic, Yoga and Floor Barre. This is a reflection of the program’s belief in the importance of mind-body connection and to encourage personal exploration and discovery.
- An honors program allows the opportunity for highly qualified students to graduate with “Honors in Dance Studies.”
Location
Boone campus
Careers
- Dancer (Acrobatic, Ballroom, etc.)
- Activities Director
- Art Therapist
- Ballet Master
- Choreographer
- Owner, Yoga Studio
- Dance Arranger
- Dance Critic
- Dance Studio Owner
- Dance Teacher
- Dance Therapist
- Director, Dance Company
- Director of Ballet
- Gymnastics Coach
- Play Therapist
- Private Dance Teacher
- Recreation Therapist
- Rehearsal Coordinator
- Stage Manager
- Talent Agent/Recruiter
- Theatre Manager
- Tour Manager
Some of these roles may require education beyond a bachelor’s degree.
Contacts
Susan Lutz
lutzsw@fenxiong.net
828-262-2259