|
|
|
About The Dance Program |
|
PROGRAM OVERVIEW |
|
The James Madison
University Dance Program is part of the School of Theatre and Dance and
presently offers a Bachelor of Arts degree. The focus of the Dance Program
is to develop each student's abilities as a performer, choreographer and
movement instructor. Developing critical and creative thought through
written expression and discussion is also emphasized. Attention is given
to the tools necessary to create, perform, produce and appreciate the art
of dance. Faculty members work closely with each student in defining their
individual path to a career in dance. |
|
THE BACHELOR OF ARTS PROGRAM |
A combination of liberal arts curriculum and an
intensive study of dance with many opportunities to perform gives the
student a well-rounded education and the technical skills to pursue a
dance-related career. The program offers progressive levels of modern and
ballet technique, dance composition, history of dance, performance
production and management, repertory ensembles and teaching methods. Other
dance courses include jazz, tap, ballroom, improvisation and international
folk. Included in the program is also a dance minor which can be combined
with many academic majors offered by the university. For more information
click here.
|
|
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES |
As a dance student at JMU, you will
audition to be a member of one of the dance ensembles that perform both on
and off campus. All freshmen will be part of the A ssociate
Ensemble which works with a faculty adviser, student directors and guest
artists on dances to be presented during the year. The Contemporary Dance
Ensemble performs works by faculty members, guest artists and students in
a formal concert in the spring. The Virginia Repertory Dance Company is a
select pre-professional ensemble that works throughout the year with
faculty members and guest choreographers to present a formal concert in
the fall and touring performances in the spring. 
JMU is consistently selected to perform in the gala concerts of the
regional festivals of the American College Dance Festival and has been
chosen to perform in recent National American College Dance Festivals.
Other performance opportunities include numerous student showcases and
studio concerts. |
|
GUEST ARTISTS AND RESIDENCIES |
| The JMU Dance Program invites
professional companies and guest artists to the campus to perform,
lecture, choreograph and teach. A Master Class Series is part of the
advanced modern and ballet courses and gives students extensive exposure
to different styles and methods. All performing ensembles commission guest
artists for special residencies to set choreography. Previous visiting
guest artists have included companies such as the Erick Hawkins Dance
Company, Joffrey II Dancers, Mark Taylor Dance Company, Murray Louis Dance
Company, Richmond Ballet, and solo artists Daniel Nagrin, David Dorfman,
Remy Charlip, Li Chiao Ping, Kei Teikei, Mark Haim and Lisa Race. |
| DANCE
AS A CAREER |
 JMU Dance Program graduates are able to
pursue a variety of opportunities in the arts and in education. Some
graduates find teaching positions in private studios, recreation centers
and arts organizations. Other graduates pursue professional performing
careers, technical aspects of dance production, or go on to graduate
school. Recent Dance Program graduates are working in dance companies,
have organized their own performing ensembles and are directing private
studios. They are also involved in stage management, arts administration,
physical therapy and dance therapy. |
| DANCE
FACULTY EXPERTISE |
The dance faculty consists of Suzanne
Miller-Corso, M.F.A., Universtiy of Colorado, Bouldler; Cynthia Thompson,
M.F.A., University of Wisconsin at Madison; Kate Trammell, M.F.A., Temple
University; and Shane O'Hara, M.F.A., Arizona State University. Suzanne
Miller-Corso teaches a variety of dance forms as well as jazz, musical
theatre and tap classes. She has performed professionally in the States
and abroad in musicals such as "A Ch orus
Line" and "Phantom of the Opera." She has also performed
with jazz and modern dance companies both in Maryland and Colorado. In
addition, her choreography has been presented on both the East and West
Coasts, including Maryland, Colorado and Virginia. Cynthia Thompson and
Kate Trammell are co-directors of the thompson & trammell dance
company which performs throughout the United States and in Europe. They
have received both regional and national awards, including grants from the
Virginia Commission for the Arts and the NEA. Shane O'Hara is a Fulbright
Scholar and has received recognition as a choreographer and performer from
the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the U.S.I.S. Each year the Dance
Program hosts visiting guest artists and other talented adjunct
instructors from the community. |
| ADMISSION |
Admission to the Dance Program is by
audition. Students interested in studying dance must first submit an
application for undergraduate admission to the Office of Admissions. Then
they must contact the Dance Program office to make arrangements for an
audition. Auditions will be held on specific dates during late fall
semester and early spring semester.
|
|
|
|
Program Objectives for
the Dance Concentration
- The student shall recognize the historical, philosophical and
cultural dimensions of dance past and present, including: the people,
places and events that have influenced the development of dance as an
art form, the different functions of dance in society and world
culture, the ability to understand and evaluate contemporary thinking
about dance and related arts.
- The student shall learn and be able to utilize correct dance
terminology.
- The student shall gain an understanding of how to analyze and
document movement using a variety of techniques including: video,
written descriptive, oral, and computer generated examples.
- When viewing dance, the student shall be capable of identifying
appropriate styles and cultural genre to include:
- American Vernacular Dance; jazz, musical theatre, tap
- Ballet; baroque dance, romantic, classical, neoclassic and
modern ballet
- Folk; Asian, African, European, North American, South American
- Modern; forerunners, pioneers and 2nd generation, avant garde
and experimental, post modem.
- The student shall have an understanding of and the ability to
demonstrate/instruct the fundamentals of movement including:
- Correct body alignment and centering for non-moving and moving
bodies
- Dance exercises for strength, flexibility, endurance, balance,
agility and coordination.
- Duplication of movement patterns bilaterally in detail with
consideration to time, space, weight and flow.
- The student shall develop competence in at least two, in addition to
professional level proficiency in at least one of the following dance
forms: ballet, folk, jazz, modern.
- The student shall be capable of understanding and demonstrating the
elements of performance to include: communication, concentration and
focus, interpretation, motivation, musicality (phrasing and rhythm),
projection, technical competence.
- The student shall demonstrate the capacity to perform in both solo
and group choreographic works.
- The student will have performed in a variety of public situations as
a dancer. These situations will include at least two of the following:
formal showings (showcases), studio concerts, mainstage, off campus
tours.
- The student shall be capable of original choreography in both solo
and group works. These capabilities shall include:
- Create dance movements and be able to sequence these movements
forming complete compositions.
- Manipulate time, space, weight and flow in dance movements to
communicate meaning through movement.
- Utilize various approaches to sound, lighting, costume and other
mediums.
- The student shall be capable of movement improvisation including the
use of improvisation as a tool in the development of choreography.
- The student shall possess an appreciation of music to include:
- A basic knowledge of music fundamentals (timing,
phrasing, dynamics, style)
- An ability to select appropriate sound
accompaniment
- An ability to create their own sound
accompaniment
- An increased awareness of the range of music
available.
- The student shall be capable of collaboration with other art
practitioners including; music, theatre, visual arts, language arts,
telecommunications.
- The student shall be familiar with technical dance production areas
to include; sound production, lighting design and technology, costume
design and construction, make-up design and implementation, set design
and construction, production management and business management.
- The student shall be capable of making critical assessments of dance
in written and oral form.
- The student shall be capable of planning and implementing a series
of dance lesson plans for students with no or limited dance
experience.
- The student shall have an understanding of ways they can maintain a
continuing involvement with dance.
|
|
| SCHOOL OF
THEATRE & DANCE |
| |
|
| THEATRE |
| |
|
| DANCE |
|
|
| MUSICAL THEATRE |
|
|
| RESOURCES |
| |
|
|
|
