At the heart of the Dance Program is a dedication to professional training, academic study, and performance opportunities. The dance major is structured to provide a broad range of experiences that prepare students for lifetime involvement in dance within the context of a liberal arts education. In addition to its renown as a research university, Northwestern has a significant reputation in the arts. Dance majors not only pursue indepth study of choreographic processes and craft but also are challenged to write, research, and analyze in the field of dance as well as to continue developing technically. Dance Program faculty are active professional choreographers, performers, researchers, and scholars.
Guest artists compliment the work of the full-time faculty.
Sound technical training exposes students to a variety of forms and styles, including ethnic dance and tap. Modern and jazz dance are the program s foundation techniques, complemented by ballet. The Dance Program provides students and faculty with numerous opportunities to choreography and perform. Students may also produce their own concerts in conjunction with course work or independent projects. The Music Theatre Program offers additional performance and choreographic opportunities, as do student organizations that produce musical theatre and concert dance.