Dance BFA
Performance & Choreography/Contemporary Track
The Performance & Choreography/Contemporary track in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance prepares students to perform and create original dance choreography for theatrical productions. Dance BFA students complete a rigorous technical and creative curriculum designed to develop the student's individual artistic voice. Contemporary Track majors additionally study body/mind sciences, dance pedagogy, historical and cultural contexts for dance and the interactive collaboration skills necessary to bring dance to the theatre with a high degree of excellence.
Performance & Choreography/Africa & the Diaspora track
The Performance & Choreography/Africa and the Diaspora track in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance prepares students to perform and create original dance choreography for theatrical productions. Africa and the Diaspora majors complete a rigorous technical and creative curriculum with a foundation in Africa and the Diaspora techniques with cross training in ballet and modern. African Track majors additionally study body/mind sciences, dance pedagogy, historical and cultural contexts for dance and the interactive collaboration skills necessary to bring dance to the theatre with a high degree of excellence.
More information at: arts.uwm.edu/dance/bfa/africadiaspora.cfm
Dance Undergraduate Student Handbook
BFA Admission
Students must meet general university admission requirements to be admitted to any of the undergraduate curricula as a freshman or transfer student. Passing the Dance Entrance Audition is required for entrance into the Dance BA or BFA degree programs. Auditions are typically scheduled four times a year (October, February, April and June). If unsuccessful, students may re-audition, but are limited to auditioning twice per academic year.
Transfer students must complete a minimum of half of the required dance credits while in residence at UWM in order to graduate. The exact total is available upon admission to the program. Transcript evaluation by a dance advisor is required before placement into dance major courses.
Once accepted, students may enter the program during either fall or spring semesters, but are strongly encouraged to enter in the fall term to progress more smoothly through the BA or BFA curricular sequence.
To obtain more information about the admission requirements or to be placed on the mailing list for the entrance auditions, please visit contact.uwm.edu
Each undergraduate dance major's coursework will be reviewed at the end of their sophomore year to determine continuance in the major, as part of the Mid-Program Portfolio Review. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the dance major.
All students are expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to their health and overall conditioning in order to fulfill the department's academic requirements. Each student's ability to undertake the demands of the dance program, including his/her overall physical ability to perform in classes, auditions, rehearsals, and/or performances will be a factor in the following: grading at the end of each semester; the audition/rehearsal/performance process for departmental productions and outreach events; the Mid-Program Portfolio Review assessment; determining 'probation' status; and potentially removing a student from the program.
Dance BA and BFA students are required to have a laptop computer after they have passed the Mid-Program Portfolio Review. The hardware and software must meet or exceed the current departmental requirements, as stated on the website (arts.uwm.edu/dance). Students are strongly encouraged to have laptops when they enter the program.
BFA Degree Requirements
Completion of 130 credits, fulfilling the following curriculum requirements:
- General University Core Curriculum, 45 cr. (includes Music 101 as part of PSOA credits)
- Required Dance Courses, 85 cr. (includes Dance Foundations credits)
Students must maintain a level of personal fitness necessary to participate fully in their classes and performances.
View University Course Requirements for the BFA Degree in Dance/
BFA Curriculum
Contemporary Track: Curriculum & Course of Study
African Diaspora: Curriculum, Course of Study & Suggested Core Curriculum
For students entering Fall 2010:
BFA PERFORMANCE & CHOREOGRAPHY/CONTEMPORARY TRACK DANCE CURRICULUM
Dance Technique Courses:
Modern Dance Technique: minimum of 6 semesters, 16 credits Chosen from Dance 113, 114, 213, 214, 317, 318 - 2 or 3 credits each (100-200 level technique classes taken for 3 credits; 300 level for 2 credits)
Ballet: minimum of 6 semesters, 16 credits Chosen from Dance 111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 312 - 2 or 3 credits each (100-200 level technique classes taken for 3 credits; 300 level for 2 credits)
Complementary Dance Technique: 4 credits (African, Jazz, Tap, Musical Thr) Chosen from Dance 115, 116, 117, 122, 123, 217, 327, 427 - 2 credits each
One Jazz or African technique class is required during sophomore year
Somatic and Conditioning Practices: 6 credits (Yoga, Pilates, Body Sense, Alexander Tech.) Chosen from Dance 103, 220, 321, 323, 403, 421, 623 - 2 or 3 credits each
Total Technique Credits: 42 credits
Dance Creative Courses| Dance 135 | Introduction to Dancemaking Skills | 3 |
| Dance 233 | Improvisation for Dancemaking | 3 |
| Dance 231 | Music and Dancers | |
| OR | 3 | |
| Dance 331 | African Percussion Ensemble | |
| Dance 352 | Digital Media Portfolio for Dancers | 1 |
| Dance 412 | Dance Composition I | 3 |
| Dance 413 | Dance Composition II | 3 |
| Dance 414 | Dance Composition III or equivalent | 3 |
| Dance 490* | Repertoire & Ensemble | 3 |
| Total | Creative Credits | 22 |
Dance Academic Courses
| Dance 110 | Introduction to the Art of Dance | 3 |
| Dance 192 | Dance Freshman Seminar | 0 |
| Dance 209 | Dance Production | 2 |
| Dance 250 | Dance Sophomore Seminar | 0 |
| Dance 251 | Laban Movement Analysis | 3 |
| Dance 261 | Dance Junior Seminar | 0 |
| Dance 309 | Dance Production Practicum | 1 |
| Dance 313 | History of Dance in the African Diaspora | 3 |
| Dance 314 | Contemporary Dance History | 3 |
| Dance 350 | Dance Senior Seminar | 0 |
| Dance 361 | Dance in Elementary Education | |
| Or | 3 | |
| Dance 362 | Dance in Secondary Education | |
| Dance 371 | Applied Anatomy | 3 |
| Dance 441 | History of African Dance Theory I | 3 |
| Dance 541 | History of African Dance Theory II (subtitle) | 3 |
| Dance 601 | Senior Project | 3 |
| Total | Academic Credits | 30 |
* Students participating in department productions must be enrolled in one ballet, modern or Africa & the Diaspora technique class per department performance criteria.
Course of Study:
Freshman Year (includes Foundations Curriculum)| Fall Semester | ||
| Dance 111 | Ballet I | 3 |
| Dance 113 | Modern Dance Technique I | 3 |
| Dance 135 | Intro to Dancemaking Skills | 3 |
| Dance 192 | Dance Freshman Seminar | 0 |
| Dance 209 | Dance Production | 2 |
| University Core | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Dance 110 | Introduction to the Art of Dance | 3 |
| Dance 112 | Ballet II | 3 |
| Dance 114 | Modern Dance Technique II | 3 |
| Dance 233 | Improvisation | 3 |
| Dance 309 | Dance Production Practicum | 1 |
| University Core | 3 | |
| Total | Freshman Year | 33 |
Sophomore Year
| Fall Semester | ||
| Dance 103, 321, | Intro to Iyengar Yoga, Alexander Tech, or | 2 |
| 323 | Body Cond: Pilates | |
| Dance 122, 115 | African Dance & Diaspora Tech I, or Jazz | 2 |
| Dance I | ||
| Dance 211 | Ballet III | 3 |
| Dance 250 | Dance Sophomore Seminar | 0 |
| Dance 412 | Dance Composition I | 3 |
| Music 101 | Fundamentals of Music (PSOA GER req.) | 3 |
| University Core | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Dance 213 | Modern Dance Technique III | 3 |
| Dance 231 | Music and Dancers | 3 |
| Dance 371 | Applied Anatomy | 3 |
| Dance 490** | Repertoire and Ensemble | 1 |
| University Core | 3 | |
| Total | Sophomore Year | 29 |
Junior Year
| Fall Semester | ||
| Dance 103, 321, | Intro to Iyengar Yoga, Alexander Tech, | 2 |
| 323 | Body Cond: Pilates | |
| Dance 212 | Ballet IV | 3 |
| Dance 214 | Modern Dance Technique IV | 3 |
| Dance 251 | Laban Movement Analysis | 3 |
| Dance 261 | Dance Junior Seminar | 0 |
| Dance 352 | Digital Media Portfolio for Dancers | 1 |
| Dance 413 | Dance Composition II | 3 |
| Dance 490 | Repertoire and Ensemble | 1 |
| University Core | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Dance 311 | Ballet V | 2 |
| Dance 317 | Modern Dance Technique V | 2 |
| Dance 314 | Contemporary Dance History | 3 |
| Dance 414 | Dance Composition III | 3 |
| University Core | 6 | |
| Total | Junior Year | 35 |
Senior Year
| Fall Semester | ||
| Dance 103, 403, | Intro to Iyengar Yoga, Int Yoga, | 2 |
| 323, 623, or 421 | Body Cond: Pilates, or Alexander | |
| Technique Practicum | ||
| Dance 312 | Ballet VI | 2 |
| Dance 350 | Dance Senior Seminar | 0 |
| Dance 361 | Dance in Elementary Education | |
| OR | 3 | |
| Dance 362 | Dance in Secondary Education | |
| University Core | 9 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Dance 115, 116, | Jazz Dance I or II, African Dance & | 2 |
| 117, 122, 123, | Diaspora Tech I or II, Tap I or II, or Dance | |
| 217, 327 or 427 | for Musical Theatre I or II | |
| Dance 318 | Modern Dance Technique VI | 2 |
| Dance 490 | Repertoire and Ensemble | 1 |
| Dance 601 | Senior Project | 3 |
| University Core | 9 | |
| Total | Senior Year | 33 |
** Per departmental policy, any time a student is cast in a faculty or guest artist work, he/she must enroll in Dance 490 for a minimum of 0 or 1 credit during the appropriate semester.
TOTAL REQUIRED DANCE CREDITS: 85Return to Top
BFA PERFORMANCE & CHOREOGRAPHY/AFRICA AND THE DIASPORA TRACK DANCE CURRICULUM
Suggested Core CurriculumDance Technique Courses:
Modern Dance Technique: minimum of 6 credits
Chosen from Dance 113, 114, 213, 214, 317, 318 - 2 or 3 credits each
(100-200 level technique classes taken for 3 credits; 300 level for 2 credits)
Ballet: minimum of 3 credits
Chosen from Dance 111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 312 - 2 or 3 credits each
(100-200 level technique classes taken for 3 credits; 300 level for 2 credits)
Complementary Dance Technique: 4 credits
(Jazz Dance 1, Tap 1)
Dance 115, 117 - 2 credits each
African Dance & Diaspora Technique: 16 credits
minimum of 6 semesters
Chosen from Dance 122, 123, 222, 223, 322, 522 - 2 or 3 credits each
(100 level technique classes taken for 2 credits; 200-300 level for 3 credits)
Somatic and Conditioning Practices: 4 credits
(Yoga, Pilates, Alexander Tech, Body Sense)
Chosen from Dance 103, 220, 321, 323, 403, 421, 623 - 2 or 3 credits each
Total Technique Credits: 33 credits
Dance Creative Courses
| Dance 135 | Introduction to Dancemaking Skills | 3 |
| Dance 233 | Improvisation for Dancemaking | 3 |
| Dance 231 | Music and Dancers | |
| OR | 3 | |
| Dance 331 | African Percussion Ensemble | |
| Dance 352 | Digital Media Portfolio for Dancers | 1 |
| Dance 412 | Dance Composition I | 3 |
| Dance 413 | Dance Composition II | 3 |
| Dance 414 | Dance Composition III or equivalent | 3 |
| Dance 490* | Repertoire & Ensemble | 3 |
| Total | Creative Credits | 22 |
Dance Academic Courses
| Dance 110 | Introduction to the Art of Dance | 3 |
| Dance 192 | Dance Freshman Seminar | 0 |
| Dance 209 | Dance Production | 2 |
| Dance 250 | Dance Sophomore Seminar | 0 |
| Dance 251 | Laban Movement Analysis | 3 |
| Dance 261 | Dance Junior Seminar | 0 |
| Dance 309 | Dance Production Practicum | 1 |
| Dance 313 | History of Dance in the African Diaspora | 3 |
| Dance 314 | Contemporary Dance History | 3 |
| Dance 350 | Dance Senior Seminar | 0 |
| Dance 361 | Dance in Elementary Education | |
| Or | 3 | |
| Dance 362 | Dance in Secondary Education | |
| Dance 371 | Applied Anatomy | 3 |
| Dance 441 | History of African Dance Theory I | 3 |
| Dance 541 | History of African Dance Theory II (subtitle) | 3 |
| Dance 601 | Senior Project | 3 |
| Total | Academic Credits | 30 |
* Students participating in department productions must be enrolled in one ballet, modern or Africa & the Diaspora technique class per department performance criteria.
Course of Study:Freshman Year
| Fall Semester | ||
| Dance 111 | Ballet I | 3 |
| Dance 113 | Modern Dance Technique I | 3 |
| Dance 122 | African Dance & Diaspora Technique I | 2 |
| Dance 135 | Intro to Dancemaking Skills | 3 |
| Dance 192 | Dance Freshman Seminar | 0 |
| Dance 209 | Dance Production | 2 |
| University Core | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Dance 110 | Introduction to the Art of Dance | 3 |
| Dance 114 | Modern Dance Technique II | 3 |
| Dance 115 | Jazz Dance 1 | 2 |
| Dance 123 | African Dance & Diaspora Technique II | 2 |
| Dance 233 | Improvisation | 3 |
| Dance 309 | Dance Production Practicum | 1 |
| University Core | 3 | |
| Total | Freshman Year | 33 |
Sophomore Year
| Fall Semester | ||
| Dance 117 | Tap 1 | 2 |
| Dance 250 | Dance Sophomore Seminar | 0 |
| Dance 313 | History of Dance in the African Diaspora | 3 |
| Dance 412 | Composition I | 3 |
| Music 101 | Fundamentals of Music (PSOA GER req.) | 3 |
| University Core | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Dance 222 | African Dance & Diaspora Technique III | 3 |
| Dance 231 | Music & Dancers | |
| OR | 3 | |
| Dance 331 | African Percussion Ensemble | |
| Dance 371 | Applied Anatomy | 3 |
| Dance 490** | Repertoire and Ensemble | 1 |
| University Core | 6 | |
| Total | Sophomore Year | 33 |
Junior Year
| Fall Semester | ||
| Dance 103, 321, 323 | Intro to Iyengar Yoga, Alexander, or Pilates | 2 |
| Dance 223 | African Dance & Diaspora Technique IV | 3 |
| Dance 251 | Laban Movement Analysis | 3 |
| Dance 261 | Dance Junior Seminar | 0 |
| Dance 352 | Digital Media Portfolio for Dancers | 1 |
| Dance 413 | Composition II | 3 |
| University Core | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Dance 314 | Contemporary Dance History | 3 |
| Dance 322 | African Dance & Diaspora Technique V | 3 |
| Dance 414 | Composition III | 3 |
| Dance 441 | History of African Dance Theory I | 3 |
| Dance 490** | Repertoire and Ensemble | 1 |
| University Core | 3 | |
| Total | Junior Year | 31 |
Senior Year
| Fall Semester | ||
| Dance 103, 321, 323 | Intro to Iyengar Yoga, Alexander, or Pilates | 2 |
| Dance 350 | Dance Senior Seminar | 0 |
| Dance 361 | Dance in Elementary Education | |
| OR | 3 | |
| Dance 362 | Dance in Secondary Education | |
| Dance 541 | History of African Dance Theory II | 3 |
| University Core | 9 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Dance 490** | Repertoire and Ensemble | 1 |
| Dance 522 | African Dance & Diaspora Technique VI | 3 |
| Dance 601 | Senior Project | 3 |
| University Core | 9 | |
| Total | Senior Year | 33 |
** Per departmental policy, any time a student is cast in a faculty or guest artist work, he/she must enroll in Dance 490 for a minimum of 0 or 1 credit during the appropriate semester.
TOTAL REQUIRED DANCE CREDITS: 85Return to Top
Suggested Classes for University Core Curriculum - Africa and the Diaspora track
Humanities - 6 credits
| Africology 100 | Black Reality: Survey of African-Am Society | 3 |
| Africology 111 | Intro to Afr-American History to 1865 | 3 |
| Africology 112 | Intro to Afr-Am. History: 1865 to Present | 3 |
| Africology 205 | Poetry of African, Afr-Am. and Carib. Writers | 3 |
| Africology 210 | African-American Novel | 3 |
| Africoogy 235 | African-American and South Africa | 3 |
| Africology 314 | School in African-American Life | 3 |
| Art History 104 | African, New World, & Oceanic Art & Arch. | 3 |
| Educ. Plcy. 314 | School in African-American Life | 3 |
| English 150 | Multicultural America | 3 |
| English 279 | Intro to Latino/a Literature (subtitle) | 3 |
| English 281 | Intro to African-American Literature (subtitle) | 3 |
| English 507 | Studies in 20th Cent Lit: Fictions of Multicult. | 3 |
| Ethnic Studies 101 | Making Am. Cultures: Afr/Euro/Ind Nations | 3 |
| Ethnic Studies 102 | Transnation Migr.: Asian/Arab/Euro/Latino Id | 3 |
| Freshman Seminar | Course 192 in multiple depts. (subtitle) | 3 |
| History 150 | Multicultural America | 3 |
| History 266 | Race/Rac. Thought/Prej. in US, 1607-Pres. | 3 |
| History 267 | History of Latinos in the United States | 3 |
| History 272 | Clues: History and Culture | 3 |
| Info Studies 210 | Information Resources for Research | 3 |
| Philosophy 253 | Philosophy of the Arts | 3 |
| Portuguese 225 | Understanding Brazil (subtitle) | 3 |
| Portuguese 360 | Brazilian Culture (subtitle) | 3 |
| Portuguese 380 | Luzo-Brazilian Lit. in Translation (subtitle) | 3 |
| Spanish 173 | Intro to Latin America | 3 |
| Spanish 225 | Understanding the Hispanic World (subtitle) | 3 |
| Spanish 371 | Intro to Latino Literature in English | 3 |
| Spanish 373 | Topics in Latino Lit. in English (subtitle) | 3 |
| Spanish 391 | Soc. & Hist. Issues in Hispnc World (subtitle) | 3 |
| Spanish 470 | Survey of Hispanic Lit and Civilization | 3 |
Social Sciences - 6 credits
| Africology 163 | African-American Concept of Self |
3 |
| Africology 215 | Intro to Black Social and Cultural Traditions | 3 |
| Africology 232 | Survey of African Societies and Cultures |
3 |
| Africology 250 | Black and White Women in the Contemp US | 3 |
| Africology 334 | Survey: Black Am. and Brazilian Societies | 3 |
| Anthropology 104 | Lifeways in Dif Cultures: Survey World Soc. | 3 |
| Anthropology 150 | Multicultural America | 3 |
| Anthropology 250 | Women's Roles in Cross-Cultural Perspect. | 3 |
| Communication 350 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| Economics 248 | Economics of Discrimination | 3 |
| Ethnic Studies 200 | Racial Minorities in the US |
3 |
| History 200 | Hist. Roots of Cont Issues: American Ghetto |
3 |
| Sociology 150 | Multicultural America | 3 |
| Social Work 665 | Cultural Diversity and Social Work | 3 |
Arts - 12 credits outside of Dance (3 fulfilled by Music 101 requirement)
| Film 222 | Basic Elements of Video | 3 |
| Film 420 | Int Media Arts Mod: Movement/New Media | 3 |
| Music 489 | Workshop in Music (subtitle) | 3 |
| Theatre 100 | Intro to Theatre | 3 |
| Theatre 113 | Stage Combat | 3 |
| Theatre 281 | Stage Management/ Communication Tech |
3 |
| Theatre 460 | Storytelling | 3 |
General University Electives
| Business 100 | Intro to Business | 3 |
| Business 201 | Intro to Financial Accounting | 3 |
| Dance 116 | Jazz Dance II | 2 |
| Dance 117 | Tap II | 2 |
| Dance 319 | Dance Service-Learning (public/private sch) | var |
| Dance 497 | Dance Study Abroad (Afr, Carib, Braz, Peru) | var |
| Dance 699 | Independent Study | var |
| Geography 462 |
Cultural Geography of Latin America | 3 |
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BFA Degree Opportunities
Performance Opportunities
The Dance Department presents four concerts each year: Winterdances and Summerdances, which showcase the work of faculty and guest artists, performed by students; and New Dancemakers and Dancemakers, which feature choreography by undergraduate and graduate students, respectively. Recent guest artists have included Susan Marshall, Ronald K. Brown, Laura Dean, and Daniel Gwirtzman.
Guest Artists
Special workshops and residencies are scheduled throughout the academic year. These events are intended to provide students with opportunities to train with well-known guest artists and emerging choreographers. Included in these residencies are performances, technique and repertory classes which provide opportunities to learn excerpts from both renowned and experimental choreographers’ works.
More information at: arts.uwm.edu/dance/guestartists
American College Dance Festival Association (ACDFA)
The Dance Department sends two works annually for adjudication at the regional ACDFA festival. In 2004, "Zoom Out," a piece by Long Zhao featuring student dancers Edwin Olvera and Roberto Olvera was chosen to represent the region at the national festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Terpsichorean People
Our student organization promotes the activities of the Department. Through T-shirt sales, concessions at all performances, and advocacy for resources from the UWM student government, Terpsichorean People enhances the student experience by providing support for production activities, travel opportunities, and guest artist fees.
For More Information
contact.uwm.edu
(414) 229-2571
danceinfo@uwm.edu