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Dance at Muhlenberg College

The Dance Department at Muhlenberg College is designed to challenge students intellectually as well as physically. In the true liberal arts tradition we are dedicated to teaching the student how to think about the art of dance and its relevance and connection to the larger world. Actively participating in dance is an opportunity to explore topics such as: mind/body integration, risk taking/art making, critical analysis/problem solving, creativity/imagination, personal discipline/self-motivation, collaboration/ cooperation, diversity in culture and values, and personal responsibility. Built in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect, students and faculty join to create a department with an embracing climate able to serve a varied community. A deep commitment to both the art and science of dance also shapes the program.

Curriculum
Created to serve a wide-ranging population from beginners interested in broadening their education to advanced dance majors pursuing performing careers, the program’s climate of inclusiveness attracts students from all academic majors to study dance, choreograph, and perform. The department offers beginning through advanced levels in ballet, modern, jazz, and tap dance techniques as well as course work in improvisation, beginning through advanced dance composition, teaching methods, dance history, anatomy and kinesiology, music, Pilates and African dance.

Link to Shelley Oliver's article from Tap International about tap dance in a liberal arts setting. For more information on the Muhlenberg dance curriculum, visit the Muhlenberg College Course Catalog.

Amanda McKerrow and her husband, John Gardner, veterans of American Ballet Theatre, restaged the Tudor ballet “Continuo” during a one-week residency with Muhlenberg College dancers.  Set to Pachelbel’s “Canon in D”, the ballet was staged for the Master Choreographers Concert.

John Gardner coaches
Ari Brandsdorfer '11 and
Erin Goldrick'08

Faculty
All classes are taught by artists/educators with extensive performing and choreographic experience in their field. Many of our teachers come from performing careers in New York City, Philadelphia and Chicago; all remain active as artist/teachers. Each faculty member is dedicated to leading the individual student on a path of self-discovery and self-knowledge.

All teachers share a commitment to the scientific, cultural, musical and artistic foundations of dance. Professional musicians play for classes and performances, and we regularly commission original compositions for choreography.

Guest Artists
Muhlenberg’s ideal location between the art centers in New York and Philadelphia further enriches our curriculum through an extensive guest artist program that regularly brings working professionals to teach and perform on campus. The department also sponsors numerous trips to see dance each semester.

Ursula Rucker, celebrated spoken word artist and performer, is the Baker Artist in Residence for the 2008-2009 season. She will be featured in the Department of Theatre & Dance's world premiere of the original dance theatre production, Caw, created by Muhlenberg Faculty Charles O. Anderson and Troy Dwyer.

Ririe Woodbury Dance and Associate Artistic Director Charlotte Boye-Christensen were the Baker Artists in Residence in dance for the 2006-2007 Season. Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner, former principals with American Ballet Theatre, were guest artists last season to restage Antony Tudor's Continuo for the February Master Choreographers concert in the Empie Theatre.

Performance Opportunities
The department produces five to six dance concerts a year including the annual faculty/guest artist choreographed concert and numerous student choreographed concerts. The Jazztap Ensemble and Improv Ensemble are student companies under faculty direction that tour to local schools and nursing homes. Additionally the dance program trains students for participation in musical theatre productions and several dance faculty choreograph for these productions as well. And finally, we perform annually in the American College Dance Festival.

REVIEW of Master Choreographers 2008

Dance Major
Students serious about dance may choose to major or minor. The dance major is designed to flexibly meet the needs of the individual while providing a solid background in the history and theory of the art along with intensive study in a variety of dance techniques. The curriculum serves as excellent preparation for graduate study programs and careers in dance. Careers dance majors typically pursue include performance, teaching, choreography, dance therapy, physical therapy, and arts management.

Many students opt to double major in dance and another subject. Students interested in teaching careers might also get state teaching certification or take business courses along with exploring teaching opportunities in our community outreach programs or interning in our children’s dance program. Students interested in Dance Therapy combine their dance education with a psychology major and often do an independent senior project linking the two disciplines. Some elect to pursue dance medicine through a double major in dance and biology. Regardless of major, the program encourages an interdisciplinary approach to dance through study of different dance forms and by connecting dance to other academic disciplines.

For more information about the Academic dance program, please fill out the following form and we'll get back to you.