Dance Program

Dancing is the loftiest, the most moving, the most beautiful of the arts, because it is no mere translation or abstraction from life; it is life itself."  -- Havelock Ellis

Some students enter the Dance Program at  William and Mary with extensive dance experience.  Others come to us with only a love of the art form and a burning question: "Can I do that, too?"

Yes, you can. 

You may choose to minor in dance, create an Interdisciplinary studies major that incorporates dance, study dance on an elective basis, or take dance classes to fulfill GER requirements. Our curriculum includes courses in composition, technique, history, and performance.  We have extensive opportunities for students to participate in both student and faculty choreographic research.

Dance training provides preparation for graduate work and future careers in fields such as performance, choreography, education, dance criticism, dance production, and movement therapies.   In addition, our dancers declare majors in every department on campus and pursue an equally wide variety of careers.

Many of our alumni have found that the skills developed through studying dance are an asset in careers both inside and outside of the dance field. Students have commented that they learned a great deal about themselves through dance courses, and that the close bond that develops between students and faculty through work on choreographic projects is an especially valuable part of their college experience.

Alumni of the program often stay in touch during Homecoming events -- including the Theatre, Speech, and Dance Department's annual wine and cheese reception for returning alumni -- and are loyal contributors to the Roby-Sherman dance scholarship fund, which helps current students pursue summer studies in dance.