Department of Dance

Contemporary Dance at BYU prepares students to meet the challenges of a dynamic profession.  Whether studying to be a performer, a teacher, a choreographer or a scholar, our experienced, professional faculty mentor students in a contemporary curriculum where high standards and personal integrity are developed in a supportive  and diverse academic environment.

As an NASD accredited dance major, students are trained in technique, composition, improvisation, choreography and performance as well as dance science, pedagogy, history and media.With a solid academic foundation, students and faculty alike are nationally recognized as leaders in performance, teaching and choreography.  Students in the program  choose an emphasis in Contemporary Dance with a focus in performance/choreography or Dance Education, grades 7-12.  In addition to the established academic program, students interested in creative dance for children can participate in one of the most established creative dance programs in the country.  Our graduates have  been accepted into MFA programs at Arizona State University, Ohio State University, the University of Utah, Temple University and Texas Women’s University. They have danced professionally in the companies of Creach/Keoster, Bill T. Jones, John Malashock and Company, Repertory Dance Theater, and Ririe/Woodbury, and teach at universities, colleges, private studios and in public education.  Whether creating, performing, or teaching BYU graduates have a style and personality the radiates energy, joy and optimism – dance at its best. 

Contemporary Dance Theatre, formerly known as The Dancers' Company,  performs and teaches contemporary dance locally, nationally, and internationally. This small group of dancers performs a variety of choreographic styles igniting audiences with its wide spectrum of dances styles ranging from dramatic to comedic; lyrical to jazz. A winner in the American College Dance Festival competition, the company presents a program of contemporary dance at its best.

Organized in 1975, Contemporary Dance Theatre has taught workshops and performed throughout the United States and Puerto Rico and internationally in South America, east Asia, South Africa, Turkey, Australia, and Israel where they have presented full artist-in-residency programs including major concerts, lecture/demonstrations and classes for all ages. Whether performing in a major theater in Argentina or teaching young children in Hawaii or Turkey these articulate performers present dance as art that can entertain and educate.

For Contemporary Dance Theatre tour schedules and booking information please visit:

http://pam.byu.edu

dancEnsemble is a contemporary dance company that provides students the opportunity to develop and refine their performance and choreographic skills through studio work, outside class time rehearsals, and performances. Involvement in dancEnsemble also provides an environment where professionalism in the field of dance will be fostered.

Kinnect is a student outreach performance dance company with a specific focus on developing teaching, creative, and performing skills in its members. This group is  carefully selected, prepared, and mentored in order to effectively teach dance as a creative process to elementary and middle school age children, following the U.S. National Dance Standards and the Utah State Dance Core Curriculum. Group members meet from four to seven hours weekly to help create dance “Lecture Performances” for local public schools and museums during winter semester and the first three to four weeks of spring term.