Welcome to the Department of Dance

Department of dance

In the Department of Dance at UNC Charlotte, students find rigorous dance training and academic preparation and the flexibility and support needed to pursue individual interests and career paths. UNC Charlotte faculty are diverse in their perspectives and training and innovative leaders in performance, choreography, dance scholarship, and teacher training. Our professional advisors help students navigate double majors and minors. Dance study is enhanced by state-of-the-art facilities; the interdisciplinary nature of our College of the Arts + Architecture study abroad opportunities; and the activities of a vibrant campus and the bustling, arts-minded city of Charlotte.

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about the Department of Dance

The Department of Dance provides exemplary, integrated dance training and academic preparation in a community that values lived experience, creative process, and performance. Through intersections of artistry, education, and inquiry, the department centers embodied practices, histories, and research to nurture and support individuals. We bring our vision to life through three main components, described below. UNC Charlotte’s Department of Dance does not require an audition for acceptance. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance.

YOUR COMMUNITY

The Department of Dance is a diverse community where students access many different dance styles. We focus on modern and contemporary dance, classical and contemporary ballet, and dance forms of African and the African diaspora.

The Department of Dance is part of the College of Arts +Architecture. Unique in North Carolina, the College includes the School of Architecture and departments of Art and Art History, Music, Theatre, and Dance. This provides our students with interdisciplinary opportunities in an exciting environment. CoA+A students may attend concerts and events across the College and visit uptown art galleries for free.

Charlotte is home to resident professional dance companies and to major theaters offering performances by touring companies. Dance students benefit through masterclasses, like with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and by seeing multiple concerts per year.

YOUR ARTISTRY

All students in the Department of Dance may audition to perform in two fully produced concerts a year choreographed by faculty and guest artists. Students also choreograph and perform their own works in the department-produced Under Construction concert and as part of student groups, Range of Motion Dance Ensemble and MOVE Dance Alliance.

Our students have been lucky to work as part of National Endowment for the Arts-funded faculty research projects and with guest artists, including Lauren Anderson, Nejla Yatkin, Ananya Chatterjea, Claudia Lavista, Netta Yerushalmy, Melanie Person, Trebien Pollard, Janet Schroeder, and Robert Green (coming in fall 2024).

YOUR DEGREE

The Department of Dance provides exemplary liberal arts educations for students who desire professional and personal engagement with dance. We offer BA degree plans for majors interested in Dance Performance, Choreography, and Theory, Applied Dance, or Dance Education, and an Applied Dance degree that supports double majors. Our Advanced Dance Studies Certificate is designed for students who want to create a senior project. In partnership with professional dance companies, the Department offers a Professional Training Certificate in Dance with the Charlotte Ballet and an internship program with Baran Dance. Our Musical Theatre Certificate offers interdisciplinary training for students interested in that field.

Programs

Dance Performance Concentration

BA in Dance

Applied Dance
Concentration

BA in Dance

Dance Education Concentration

BA in Dance

Minor in Dance

Dance Minor

Professional Training Certificate with Charlotte Ballet

Undergraduate Certificate

Certificate in Advanced Dance Studies

Undergraduate Certificate

Certificate in Musical Theatre

Undergraduate Certificate

upcoming events

Hear from current students

“What I love about being a part of the Department of Dance at UNC Charlotte is that it feels like a big family. Everyone in the Department of Dance is so welcoming and supportive. I also enjoy how the department provides opportunities for students to better themselves.“
Christian Bryant
BA in Dance Performance, Choreography, & Theory and a Bachelor in Criminal Justice

“The most important benefit of being a scholarship recipient is, of course, the ability to afford higher education, which is something that I am extremely grateful for. Additionally, the volunteer duties required for these scholarships allow me to be more involved with the local dance community and make connections with those I see every day as well as people that I wouldn’t have normally had the opportunity to work with!“
Annabelle Luna
BA in Applied Dance & BS in Political Science with a Professional Training Certificate with Charlotte Ballet

“My favorite thing about the Department of Dance at UNC Charlotte is the sense of community that has been created with the other dancers. It feels like a giant family and is super inclusive whether you are a major, minor, or even non-dance major. Also, being a part of the Arts + Architecture Honors Program, I have gained the opportunity to connect and build relationships with students from other departments within the CoA+A. I have found this to be incredibly enriching when thinking about interdisciplinary studies within the arts.”
Keegan Marin
BA in Dance Education & Bachelor in Psychology

“My favorite thing about the Department of Dance is the community. Everyone is so welcoming and supportive of one another. I also love being part of the Charlotte Ballet Professional Training Certificate Program. I go to the Academy about 3 times a week and can expand on my technique. This program is an amazing opportunity for anyone looking to have more serious ballet training in college, and it’s really why I chose to attend UNC Charlotte!”
Jiji Shindler
BA in Applied Dance & BS in Psychology with a Professional Training Certificate with Charlotte Ballet