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Dance, BA

Immerse yourself in the study of modern dance, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap and more with a major in Dance from Dean College.

Program Overview 

Raise the barre. Dance offers a powerful path to creative expression and artistic fulfillment.

A Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the Schools of Performing Arts at Dean College provides an ideal blend of purposeful liberal arts studies and conservatory-level training needed to prepare you for success, both on and off the stage.

For more than 50 years, Dean has been a nationally recognized educational center for dance. We also offer a minor and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. Our dedicated faculty and staff foster creativity, broaden perspectives, expand knowledge, develop proficiency, and prepare you for excellence in the field of dance.

Combining our rigorous, well-rounded technical training with a purposeful liberal arts curriculum, our dance program is ideal for those pursuing performance, choreography, teaching, studio management or other fields. The program combines academic courses in dance history, dance composition, Laban Movement Analysis, dance pedagogy, writing for the arts, anatomy and kinesiology with conservatory-level training in all techniques. Starting year one, you'll have the opportunity to perform, create and engage in real-world experiences.

Students applying as a Dance BA major will have the opportunity to choose a specialized track prior to the audition, including: 

A liberal arts core will compliment your training. You can also broaden your career options by adding a double major or minor in a related field.

Program Requirements 

Prospective students are required to complete an audition for the Dance program as well as an application for admission. Learn more about the audition process, requirements and dates.

Tracks

DANCE PEDAGOGY

In the Dance Pedagogy track, you will will learn the art and science of teaching dance from experts in this field. You will gain knowledge on the history of dance; how to utilize clear language while educating dancers; age-appropriate teaching methodologies; and the current state of dance education.

Dance Performance/Choreography

In the Dance Performance/Choreography track, you will learn how to demonstrate overall technical proficiency by engaging in practices and perspectives of professional-level dance. You will also gain an increasingly sophisticated understanding of choreography.

Dance science

In the Dance Science track, you will focus on the intersection of dance and health sciences with a streamlined curriculum that balances artistic and scientific rigor. A unique advantage of this track is the access to Dean’s Athletic Training Clinic for the Performing Arts, providing an on-campus clinical setting focused on injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance optimization for dancers and performing artists. You will gain hands-on experience in evidence-based practices, preparing you for graduate study or direct entry into clinical or research positions.

Dance Studies

The Dance Studies track will help you gain an understanding of the breadth of the dance field, while allowing you to take a leadership role in identifying and pursuing interdisciplinary dance studies. Whether you aspire to be a performer, choreographer or educator, dance studies will elevate your understanding and appreciation of dance as both an art form and a discipline.

Studio Management

Gain the essential skills to successfully run and manage a dance studio with the Studio Management track. You will learn the principles of business management and marketing, dance pedagogy, facility management and much more. Whether you're aspiring to open your own studio or looking to enhance your managerial skills in an existing one, this track provides the practical knowledge and expertise needed to thrive in the competitive dance industry.

Dean College dance professor instructing students during class

Joan Phelps Palladino Dance Faculty

Meet our hard-working faculty who are both subject-matter experts and dance professionals.

Beyond the Classroom

Dean College dancers performing onstage Starting your first year on campus, you’ll have extensive opportunities to perform, choreograph and engage in real-world experience.
  • Our dancers have participated in highly selective performances at the Kennedy Center, Joyce Theater and Ailey Citigroup Theater.
  • The Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance participates in the American College Dance Festival (ACDF), where we've ranked in the top 30 schools nationally. Choreographic works by Dean students have been chosen for performance in the ACDF gala at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
  • Our dance majors have interned at Jacob’s Pillow, Lincoln Center, Battery Dance Company, Broadway Dance Center, Rhee Gold, Boston Ballet and the National Dance Education Organization. They’ve taught creative movement in public schools, worked side by side with our athletic trainer and helped spearhead new dance conventions.

And when you graduate, you’ll be prepared to be an entertainer, entrepreneur and artist in the field. Our graduates have successful careers as performers, choreographers, dance journalists, instructors, studio owners, directors and dance therapists, working for companies such as the Boston Ballet, Disney Corporation, The Rockettes, Norwegian Cruise Lines, The Kraft Group and so much more.

Read more from Jessica '13
Read more from Mark '19
Read more from Jordan '18
Jessica

Since graduating from Dean, I have received my MFA in Dance from the University of Illinois and have moved to New York City. I am now a full-time freelance dance artist, working and performing with several choreographers. Dean prepared me with the work ethic I have today, to keep pushing for new opportunities while maintaining a full-time performing career.

Mark

I chose Dean because of the distinguished dance program. I loved the variety of dance styles and techniques I was able to study on a daily basis and I looked forward to attending classes every day with the dance faculty and students who became like my second family.

Jordan

During my time at Dean, I danced in as many shows as I could, attended dance festivals and had my original choreography performed in the Regional American Dance Association Festival. I was also given the opportunity to dance in Rome during the summer. Dean allowed me to pursue these opportunities and follow my dreams.

Get Involved

Learn more about how to get involved in student groups and performances, both on campus and beyond.
  • Dean College students performing onstage
    Campus Productions Perform in showcases, concerts, musicals and plays on campus.
  • Dean College dancers onstage
    Dance and Performance Groups Join one of our numerous student performance groups.

Uniquely Dean

A Dean College dancer performing onstage during a performance. Through Dean’s Dance program, you’ll be performing and learning in real-world settings beginning in your first semester.
  • Participate in first-year dance seminars that help you discover the relationship of dance to other fields of study and introduce possible career paths to help you design your future.
  • Experience live music in class performed by talented local musicians.
  • Take master classes with dancers from Boston Ballet, Cirque du Soleil, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Broadway, Ballet West, The Martha Graham Dance Company, Complexions Dance company and many more. Recent master class guest artists have included Gabrielle Hamilton, award-winning Broadway cast member of the reimagined musical Oklahoma! and its national touring company, and Chris Rice-Thomson, a member of the touring company of Hamilton.
  • Receive highly specialized injury prevention and care services, provided by a full-time certified and licensed athletic trainer who has extensive experience in working with dancers.
  • Dean College has been recognized as the #4 Best Dance School (Undergraduate) in Massachusetts as part of the 2022 PLEXUSS Global Rankings.

Space to Learn and Perform

As a Dance major at Dean, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take the stage in our first-class performance and teaching venues, study on-stage and behind-the-scenes techniques and receive support from our talented faculty and staff. Explore the photo gallery below to see the spaces you’ll learn and perform in.

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Dean College students performing in class in the Guidrey Center

The Guidrey Center, located in the Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center, is one of our first-class teaching and performance venues.

Dean College dancers performing in the Guidrey Center

Take courses with faculty and staff and master classes with guest artists in the Guidrey Center.

Dean College dancers performing in the Guidrey Center

The Guidrey Center is the venue for student showcases and productions like the annual Arts Mosaic.

Dean College dancers in the Main Stage

Located in the Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center, the Main Stage Theatre is a 16,000-square-foot state-of-the-art teaching and performance venue.

Dean College dancers performing on the Main Stage

The Main Stage is home to the majority of our dance and theatre productions, as well as events and showcases.

A Dean College dancer performing on the Main Stage

The Main Stage is also complete with a costume shop, stage construction space and state-of-the-art control booth.

Dean College dancers performing in the Performing Arts Studios

Your courses will be held in a number of classrooms and studios across campus, including the Performing Arts Studio, offering a unique setting to learn, practice and find inspiration.

Dean College dancer working with Amanda Donahue, our full-time performing arts athletic trainer.

You’ll have access to a dedicated performing arts athletic training office, where you can receive preventative care and training exercises from Amanda Donahue, our full-time performing arts athletic trainer.

RECENT STORIES

Check out the news and stories below to learn more about being a Dance major at Dean.

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Three students on stage dancing with their arms pointed out during a performance on the Main Stage with a pianist playing in the background.

We prepare students to perform at Dean and beyond through student concerts, faculty and guest artist concerts, a freshman showcase and senior performances.

One student dancing with their arm back and leg stretched out while eight dancers are standing behind with a tulle sheet over their bodies.

Dean participates in the American College Dance Festival (ACDF), where we've ranked in the top 30 schools nationally.

A dancer practicing in the studio.

Dance is movement with meaning. 

A dance professor leading students through dance during class while the group follows along.

Experience master classes with dancers from Boston Ballet, Cirque du Soleil, and many more.

Three students on the floor onstage with their hand stretched up during a dance performance.

Beginning in your first semester, you have opportunities to connect your classwork to the stage. 

Jay T Jenkins ’77 teaches a master class to Dean College dancers

Jay T Jenkins ’77, recognized around the world as the versatile creator of the “JAZZ FUNK” style, shared his in-depth knowledge of classic jazz and musical theater in a dance master class with Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance students. Jay T's experience includes choreography for feature films, industrials, music videos and recording artists’ concert tours. He has worked with Prince, Salt N’ Pepa, Kool Moe Dee, Cyndi Lauper, Jennifer Lopez, Color Me Badd and many others.

A group of students dancing with arms out during a tap dance performance.

Many of our dancers earn roles in Dean's musical and theatre productions. 

Three ballet students on their toes during a pointe dance onstage with a pianist playing in the background.

Choreographic works by Dean students have been chosen for performances in the ACDF gala at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

A group of dance students smiling while onstage during a tap dance performance.

Dean's first-year dance seminars will help you discover the relationship of dance to other fields of study and introduce career paths to help you design your future. 

A group of dancers onstage with their arms stretched out during a performance on the Main Stage.

There's no doubt that pursuing a Dance degree at Dean will be challenging, but we will offer you all the support you need to succeed. 

Eight dance students performing ballet during a performance onstage.

A liberal arts core will complement your training. You can also broaden your career options by adding a double-major or minor.