Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance

Our students become well-rounded, critically thinking dancers and choreographers who find meaningful careers in dance companies, performing arts theaters, nonprofits and academia.

The BFA in dance is designed to meet the needs of highly talented and motivated students interested in preparing for a professional dance career in choreography or performance. Our students explore the process and underlying aesthetics of dance creation, composition and collaboration. Students will practice and accomplish a range of dance styles, including contemporary, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, transnational fusion, African dance and performance improvisation.

  • Learn major world dance styles, works of dance literature and the history of dance
  • Gain knowledge in stagecraft, costuming, lighting, makeup, production and projections
  • Develop a network through connections made during dance workshops, performances and intensives

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 BFA 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

Prospective students must apply for general admission to CU Boulder and indicate the BA in dance as your desired major. Then, apply for the Dance Program Freshman Scholarships through an application following the general admission process. 

Auditions for the BFA program will take place in the spring semester of the first year. There is a placement process for specific courses during the first week of classes each semester.

All BFA students must meet a series of program requirements:

  • Technical requirements: BFA students are required to take a practicum in dance technique
  • Dance theory requirements: Dance theory courses cover production, creative process, music, movement analysis, pedagogy, dance and cultural studies, performance, and philosophy
  • Performance requirements: All BFA students take performance and community engagement courses
  • Senior BFA Concert: Students must present their choreography in a shared concert with other BFA students during their final year at CU Boulder

And an additional degree option for dance students: 

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in dance: This degree is intended for students who wish to further their skill in performance and choreography to find satisfying careers in dance companies, performing arts theaters, nonprofits, business and academia.

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

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