Mission and Goals

The Dance Program emphasizes both creative work and technical growth within a liberal arts setting by providing an environment which stimulates inventive thinking through the language of dance. The Dance Program provides many opportunities for the development of independent and critical thinking, an essential part of both the creative process and scholarly inquiry. Faculty share a desire to provide an environment where students are able to take risks and mature in an atmosphere that is both supportive and challenging. The discipline of Dance, because of its uniquely ephemeral nature, is particularly well-suited to prepare students for life in a rapidly changing world.

Goals:

• Provide an opportunity for students to study dance for the first time or to build on previous training, and to help students recognize the range of aesthetics in the field of dance.
• Offer students an in-depth experience of the choreographic process while developing their technical/performance skills and providing a basic historical framework through the Dance Minor curriculum.
• Stimulate an interest in the art of dance by bringing regular performances of original choreography to the College and local community. Student performers develop a sense of responsibility for the artistic works that are presented in both student and faculty concerts.