This unique major emphasis was designed to offer students of ballet the opportunity to study a specialized art form.
Character dance is based on traditional folk dance forms which have been stylized for the stage.
These intricate stylizations require a much wider technical base than regular folk dance styles. The skills acquired in the study of ballet complement the powerful effect of staged character dance. Ballet students have the opportunity to utilize their balletic training in this area. An understanding of the difficult rhythmic syncopations typical to character dance is essential to the program of study. The ethnographic relationship to simple folk dance idioms are also stressed.