Dance Information | Dance Programs | Dance Courses
Dance
College of the Arts
Department Chair
Judy Allen
Department Office
Dance Center
Telephone
(562) 985-4747
FAX
(562) 985-7896
Faculty
Professors
Judy Allen, Susan McLain
Associate Professor
Karen Clippinger
Assistant Professor
Colleen Dunagan, Keith Johnson, Lorin Johnson, Andrew Vaca
Administrative Coordinator
Jennifer Ruther
Clerical Assistant
Lin Burch
The CSULB Department of Dance is committed to artistic and academic excellence that promotes the value of dance for the individual and society. Its curricula emphasize modern dance performance and composition with supporting course work in ballet, jazz, tap, world dance, and dance theory. Course of study embraces creative, historical, and scientific perspectives of dance. The Department is also committed to the artistic enhancement of the campus and community through practical/theoretical dance courses for the general university student, performances, and residencies. In addition, the Department avidly promotes the profession through creative activity and scholarly research, leadership in professional organizations, and participation in dance festivals/conferences at the regional and national levels.
The Department offers two undergraduate degree programs: the Bachelor of Fine Arts and the Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Both degrees provide a wide breadth of exploration in the creative, physical, and academic aspects of the art of dance. The BA provides students with a balanced course of study that helps prepare them for careers in education, arts administration, health and fitness, or further academic pursuits. The BFA, a professional degree in Dance, offers students more concentrated study in the areas of technique, performance, and choreography aimed at preparing the student for a professional career.
The Department also offers two graduate degree programs: the Master of Fine Arts and the Master of Arts in Dance. The MFA is a demanding program designed to challenge professionally experienced students to develop their artistic and analytical work through numerous performances and choreographic opportunities. This terminal degree prepares candidates for careers in education, performance, and choreography. The MA in Dance is a concentrated program for dance educators currently working in high schools and community colleges. This advanced degree enhances teaching and choreographic skills, while broadening aesthetic, historical, and scientific understandings of dance.
Non-major studio classes in ballet, modern, jazz, and tap are open to all students and do not require any audition. Several courses are offered which meet the General Education Exploration and Capstone requirements in categories C, D, E, and IC.
A large number of part-time faculty members supplement the expertise of the full-time faculty.
Dance concerts with faculty, students, and visiting choreographers are held in the Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater. 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. Auditions are held four times per year. Applicants should contact the Department of Dance to obtain audition dates and an audition application form. Students desiring more information should contact the Department office for referral to one of the faculty advisors. All new students enter the major under the BA degree. A separate audition for entrance into the BFA degree plan is required.
The Department is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (National Association of Schools of Dance, 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190, phone: 703-437-0700).