Department Philosophy
The Dance Department provides an in-depth dance major program of studies including history and theory, choreography, and technique with emphasis on modern dance technique, composition and performance and supporting coursework in ballet, jazz, African, and tap. The curricula are designed to give students a basic dance background which prepares them as a performer in concert dance companies, television, or films, as a choreographer, or as a teacher at the secondary, community college or university level. The undergraduate curricula prepare students for graduate programs in dance. Non-major studio classes in ballet, modern dance, jazz and tap are open to all students on campus. Several theory courses (DANC 101, 102, 104, 110, 373I, and 435I) meet the General Education requirements as well as Exploration and Capstone designations.
Dance concerts with choreography by faculty, students, and visiting choreographers are held in the Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theatre.
* To view a video clip of our most recent Faculty Concert, please click here (all video files are MPEG)
Dance majors and minors are encouraged to participate in activities of the Dance student organization, Off 7th Dancers.
Students wishing to major or minor in dance must audition for placement prior to starting the program. (See audition dates and information.)
Beginning and low intermediate (non-major) studio classes (DANC 105, 106, 108, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 216, 217, 316 and 317) are open to all students with no audition. Intermediate and advanced level studio classes are open to non majors through audition.
The CSULB Dance Department is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance. There are 130 undergraduate dance majors, 8 M.F.A. candidates, and 15 M.A. candidates. These students come from throughout the United States and from many foreign countries.
About Us
California State University, Long Beach was the first University within the California State University system to offer a B.A. in Dance degree. Today it is the only CSU campus to grant the Master of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance (professional degrees), as well as a Master of Arts degree designed for dance educators. The Dance Department has enjoyed steady growth since its inception in 1970, and now has 130 undergraduate dance majors, and 30 graduate candidates.The Department offers serious dance students the opportunity to develop their dance potential in an environment dedicated to the highest artistic standards. In keeping with the demands of an ever changing dance world, dance theory and technique courses are rich in contemporary concepts, supported in 90,000 sq. ft. of space designed specifically for dance instruction and production. The comprehensive education students receive prepares them for careers in performance, choreography, and teaching, as well as graduate work in many aspects of dance.
Full-time faculty include Professors Judy Allen, Karen Clippinger, Colleen Dunagan, Keith Johnson, Lorin Johnson, Dori Levy, Susan McLain, and Andrew Vaca; a large group of part-time faculty enhance curricula in their areas of specialization. Together, these individuals bring a wealth of expertise in directing, choreographing, performing, designing, and teaching to their courses and artistic or research activities.
Numerous performing opportunities exist for dance majors in five formal and two informal productions scheduled throughout the academic year. Guest choreographers re-stage or create new works for students each semester. Recent choreographers have included David Dorfman, Andrea Woods, Laurence Blake, Holly Williams, David Parsons, Robert Moses, Bill Young, Della Davidson, Janis Brenner, Lar Lubavitch, Dan Wagoner, Jose Limon, Martha Graham, Laura Dean, and Bella Lewitzky. The Department also participates annually in the regional festivals of the American College Dance Festival Association, with invitations in 1994, 1998 and 2000 to perform at the National College Dance Festival held at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.
The Department has been named for two consecutive years as one of the top 10 university departments for undergraduate dance education in a survey of dance department chairs in Canada and the U. S. sponsored by Dance Teacher Now. It has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance since 1982.
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