2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Dance
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Faculty
Chair
Carol Hess
B.A., Barnard College, 1975; M.A., Columbia University, 1980
Associate Professors
Doug Hamby
B.S., Michigan State University, 1973; M.F.A., Temple University, 1994
Elizabeth Walton
B.A., Brandeis University, 1959
Instructor
Sandra L. Lacy
B.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1976
Courses in this program are listed under DANC.
For updated and current information, visit our department Web site: http://www.umbc.edu/dance.
The dance department faculty brings extensive professional experience in various techniques and styles to teaching dance at UMBC. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (http://nasd.arts-accredit.org/), the curriculum fosters growth in skills, artistry, and creative inquiry. With a primary focus on modern dance and contemporary methods of work, the curriculum gives students opportunities to develop strong technique, composition and performance. By studying the history of dance and related courses, students also gain an understanding of the origins of dance, cultural traditions of dance and the changing world of contemporary dance. the program focuses on performance and choreography. Students have regular opportunities, both formal and informal, to develop their performance and choreographic skills. Students perform in department concerts at the end of each semester, in dances choreographed by faculty, visiting artists or other dance majors. Students also may have the opportunity to choreograph for department concerts and to create self-designed projects through independent studies courses. Because dance is studied in an atmosphere with many opportunities for connection with the other arts, students also develop their awareness of potential influences and new possibilities in performance. The artist-in-residence program brings well-known contemporary choreographers and/or teachers to the UMBC faculty for a full semester each year. This offers students the opportunity to work intensively with established dance artists and to be exposed to different ideas and methods of choreography. The program further develops students’ versatility in different techniques and styles. Past visiting artists have included Tzveta Kassabova, Susan Rethorst, Scott Rink, Gesel Mason, Helanius Wilkens, Adrienne Clancy, Jeanine Durning, Tonya Lockyer, Mark Coniglio and Dawn Stoppiello.
Career and Academic Paths
Some graduates of the dance program dance professionally with major dance companies in New York, the Baltimore/Washington area and beyond, including Pilobolus, Taylor 2, CityDance Ensemble and Dakshina. Others have performed in regional companies and a variety of venues including the Goodspeed Opera House, Jubilee in Las Vegas, and Disney in Tokyo. Graduates who pursued education certification teach in public and private schools. Many graduates teach in community studios or own private studios. Some pursue graduate study in dance or in related fields such as physical therapy or dance therapy.
Academic Advising
Students entering the program are placed in classes appropriate to their level of previous training. Placement is determined through interview and observation of the student. If an instructor feels that a student has been placed in the wrong level, adjustments may be made during the add/drop period.
Major Programs
Students pursuing dance as a major course of study receive a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Dance. The major includes courses that explore important relationships between dance and other disciplines that are involved in the shaping of dance as a performing art. The curriculum is composed of sequences in contemporary modern dance technique, ballet, performance and choreography. Sufficient previous training may enable students to enter the sequence in technique at the intermediate or advanced level, subject to the approval of the chairperson.
The Bachelor of Arts in Dance
The focus of the B.A. in Dance is on performance and choreography. Students take courses in dance technique, dance history, choreography and performance, dance and technology, and may choose electives in dance and related disciplines. All candidates for the B.A. in Dance must complete the degree requirements.
Education Certificate
Dance majors may obtain state certification as a dance specialist through a course of study designed by the dance and education departments. Students can combine a major in dance with study in the field of education. Contact the dance department directly for more information. Students interested in early childhood or elementary education may choose dance as their major field of study as they pursue coursework in education through UMBC’s Department of Education.
Regular Classes in Dance Technique
All dance majors are expected to enroll in technique classes every semester. The dance department highly recommends that students pursuing the B.A. in Dance take both ballet and contemporary every semester. Dance majors are required to enroll in a minimum of one technique course in ballet or contemporary each semester.
Gateway Course for Majors
DANC 320 - Intermediate Contemporary Dance Technique II [3]
This course has been designated as the “gateway course” for dance majors. This course must be passed with a grade of “B” or better for a student to continue on as a dance major.
Special Opportunities
The dance department produces eight full-length dance concerts each year. Six of these concerts feature students and student choreography. Talented upper level students may be invited to work as apprentices with the Baltimore Dance Project, UMBC’s professional company in residence. The company performs throughout the region and has performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. The company runs an outreach program called Project REACH, in which company members and student apprentices may present lecture/demonstrations and workshops in area public schools.
Student Organizations
Council of Majors
The dance department has an active Council of Majors. This student-run group puts on benefit concerts, sponsors master classes and supports an annual trip to the American College Dance Festival.
Recognized UMBC Dance Alumni
UMBC dance alumni active in the field include:
Robin Masella ‘07
Performer in musical theater productions across the U.S.
Alicia Ritgert ‘06
Performed with Disney cruises
Eileen Beth Mitchell Schwartz ‘02
Former performer with CityDance Ensemble with her own private studio.
Jennica Lee ‘02
Performer in Disney Tokyo and Jubilee in Las Vegas
Renee Brozic Barger ‘99
Coordinator of the Dance Program at Howard Community College
Eric Jenkins ‘94
Teacher at Broadway Dance Center in New York City
Robin Branch ‘93
Toured Africa with Taylor 2
Rebecca Marie Jung ‘87
A featured performer with Pilobolus
Many UMBC alumni currently teach in public and private schools in the Baltimore area and beyond.
ProgramsBachelor of ArtsNon-DegreeCoursesDance
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