Dance Program Overview

The Dance Department's mission is to generate leadership for the arts, specifically for the dance field, through a rigorous B.A. program emphasizing the development of professional dancers, teachers, choreographers, and arts administrators.

The Dance Department primarily focuses on classical ballet supported by modern, jazz and tap. The program is dedicated to providing future leadership to the dance field through the development of professional dancers and teachers. The philosophical foundation of the program is based on the importance of planning for the long term future of each individual dancer by offering and encouraging a well rounded dance education. The faculty is dedicated to a nurturing and compassionate approach to teaching through example, mentorship, counseling and advising. Dance technique courses are balanced with the development of verbal articulation, critical thinking and writing to learn curriculum components. Strong ethical standards are established and maintained through faculty, personal and peer evaluations that are conducted on a regular basis. The technical level of the student is determined by audition and re-evaluated at the end of each term. Students are advanced at the discretion of the dance faculty and the department chair.

Main stage performance opportunities for the Mercyhurst Dancers include two faculty concerts, a student choreography concert, and apprenticeships with local professional ballet companies such as Lake Erie Ballet and SoMar Dance Works (by audition only). Students are regularly exposed to a culturally diverse group of guest teachers and choreographers of international stature. Dance majors are encouraged to participate in musicals and operas where dancing opportunities are made possible. Participation in productions and performances is required and includes mandatory warm-up class and rehearsal attendance as part of the company ensemble experience. The program also provides participation in service opportunities to the college and Erie communities through lecture demonstrations, seminars, workshops, informal discussions and in-studio, liturgical and educational out-reach performances.

Those students who possess the gifts for teaching and choreography are encouraged to pursue those goals. Teaching internships include varied opportunities arranged through Career Services.

The on campus Athletic Training Center provides physical therapy assistance throughout the academic year.

The Dance Department supports Service Learning as part of the Mercyhurst College mission. The Department honors this compassionate way of learning by encouraging service to others specifically on behalf of dance community. Service hours are non-payment/non-credit hours provided in service to individuals, organizations and the community. Service learning is required of all dance majors on scholarship.

Concentrations & Minors

• Dance Major
• Performance Concentration
• Applied Theory Concentration
  • Pedagogy Track
  • Choreography Track
• Arts Administration Minor

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