Dance

About the Dance Program

New Mexico State University Dance program is in the Department of Human Performance, Dance and Recreation.

Our goals are to inspire and train the next generation of movement educators and performers. The dance program at NMSU offers a Bachelor of Art degree in dance.NMSU Dance program offers an opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. There are two tracks that students can choose between. For those students that are interested in pursuing a stage career, the performance track provides ample experiences to meet the demands needed to become a performer. For those students who are interested in pursuing a teaching career, the dance education track will provide a variety of classes geared to the future teacher. There are several differences in these two tracks. The performance track requires more technique and performance/production credits, whereas, the dance education track requires more dance education credits. This major provides a broad coverage of the dance field that includes development of basicadvanced dance technique and performance skills complemented by related studies in arts and sciences. It provides students with an appropriate background for the pursuit of advanced degrees in teaching, performance, choreography, and other related fields. There are many career avenues a graduating dancer can pursue. Our dancers will be prepared to teach the technique and artistry of dance to students in public/private schools from pre-school to 12th grade. They will also be able to work in arts-in-education programs providing movement/kinesthetic learning experiences in all academic areas. They will be able to instruct students with special needs. Our dancers will have knowledge on how to teach in and/or manage a dance studio. They will be prepared to participate in providing dance instruction for adults including programs for senior citizens and have experience producing dance concerts. Choreography will be another aspect of their knowledge. This will enable them to create work for theatrical productions. Our dancers will have options.

The dance program also offers a minor in dance that consists of a total of 24 credit hours. The curriculum is designed to help students understand the art of performance, dance education, and dance management. Course offerings for knowledge in the art of performance include improvisation, choreography, dance production, and beginning-advanced dance technique in Ballet, Modem, Jazz, Tap, Ballet Folklorico, Flamenco, and many ballroom styles of dance. Dance Education is designed to cover teaching in public/private schools, dance studios, and arts-in-education programs. Course offerings for knowledge in dance education include dance pedagogy, dance history, world dance and courses in anatomy, human development, motor learning and biomechanics. Content will also cover dance populations of all ages, with all skill levels and those who are differently-abled. Dance Management is the study of running a dance studio. Learning how to do demographic studies, developing budgets, planning classes, hiring the teaching staff, fundraising, and producing annual studio performances. This knowledge is covered in dance pedagogy, special topics, performance and production, and business courses.