Bachelor of Arts in Dance

Our students become well-rounded critical thinkers who are skilled in performance and choreography, who understand the power of dance worldwide and who find satisfying careers in dance companies, performing arts theaters, nonprofits, business and academia.

Our BA in dance is designed to provide students with concrete skills in performance and choreography, and to instill an appreciation of the role that dance plays in human culture around the world. Students will practice and accomplish a range of dance styles, including contemporary, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, transnational fusion, African dance and performance improvisation.

  • Experience the process of dance creation, composition and collaboration
  • Gain a working knowledge of world dance styles, works of dance literature and the history of dance
  • Learn about stagecraft, costuming, lighting, makeup, production and projections

Be involved and network with peers through festivals, productions and workshops in venues like the Charlotte York Irey Dance Theatre and Macky Auditorium

Connect with our many artists-in-residence through guest lectures, multi-week teachings and choreographic residencies

Join OnStage, a dynamic student performing arts group that produces the annual CU Fringe Festival, as well as individual productions, guest artist residencies and workshops

Be successful.

A BA in dance equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to artfully contribute to today’s culturally plural society.

 
$43,000

Median salary of CU Boulder dance students 1–5 years after graduation

 

Dancer, dance instructor, dance therapist, artistic director, arts manager, choreographer, private studio owner and dance educator are common job opportunities for graduates

 

Work for dance companies, performing arts theaters, nonprofits and in academia

Academic Plan & Requirements

There is no audition for admission to the dance program. Dance majors must successfully complete 120 hours and the College of Arts and Sciences general education requirements. A minimum of three technique styles, as well as African dance, are required.

Students will take a full range of dance course topics, including:

  • Production
  • Creative Process
  • Music
  • Movement Analysis
  • Pedagogy Dance and Cultural Studies
  • Performance
  • Philosophy

And an additional degree option for dance students: 

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in dance: This degree is intended for highly talented and motivated students interested in preparing for a professional dance career in choreography or performance

Community & Involvement

We offer students many opportunities to network with peers and faculty, further their studies, and get the most out of their undergraduate experience. Students are offered a variety of opportunities to perform under the direction of faculty members, visiting artists and student choreographers.

Be inspired.

The Department of Theatre and Dance has an extensive list of alumni working and performing in a variety of fields across the globe.

Some alumni of the program include:  

Stephanie Lee

(BA Dance, '11)
The co-founder and director of Trybe HK, a contemporary movement and performance space in Hong Kong. The space is the first multidisciplinary movement space in Asia, blending artistic and athletic training for humans of all practices and skill sets. She co-founded the Root & Risk Collective, a dance improvisation and performance art collective of five women and recently performed with Movement Research.

Hayley Gocha

(BFA'15)
Co-chair of the Youth Assembly at the United Nations in 2016 and co-founder of Bee the Change. She is an Atlas Corps fellow with the ministry of education in Bogota, Colombia.

Chris Parnell

(BFA Theatre, '98)
Co-president of Sony Pictures Television.

Anthony Alterio

(BA Dance, '13)
A choreographer and queer performance artist who is also on faculty in the theatre and dance department at the University of Kentucky. Anthony has performed and choreographed work at universities and venues in California, Colorado, Kentucky, Michigan and New York. He is also a company member of Interweave Dance Theatre, the resident company of the Boulder Jazz Dance Workshop. Anthony earned his MFA in dance from the University of Michigan in 2016.

Danielle Colangelo

(BFA Dance, '11)
Most recently finished choreographing for the renowned Random Farms Kids Theater. She is the members coordinator and rehearsal assistant for the Broadway Youth Ensemble as well as a resident associate choreographer for The Children's Theatre Company in New York City. Danielle is also a resident choreographer on artistic staff at Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Camp each summer.

News & Stories

College of Arts & Sciences magazine cover