The BFA in Dance is a performance-oriented modern dance program designed to prepare students professionally as performers, choreographers, educators and active leaders in the dance community. Students in this program demonstrate technical mastery and devote their college curriculum to a comprehensive dance curriculum that includes daily intensive training in modern and ballet. Opportunities to perform the works of master choreographers, as well as to create and produce original choreography, are central to the program. Because of the professional nature of the BFA degree, the program requires completion of 126 credits of course work.
Technique
Modern dance and ballet are at the heart of our technique program, and you can take a modern and a ballet technique class each day throughout your four years of study. Each semester, you will explore a new approach to thinking about modern dance. However, every approach has in common its intent to develop your skills as a dancer and has at its core an understanding of the anatomical principles that underlie movement.
Performance
Each year, the School of Dance presents five professionally produced concerts and two informal showcases at its three campus venues: the Concert Hall, which seats 2,000; Harris Theatre, which seats 500; and, the 100-seat Dance Performance Studio. Numerous guest artist, faculty and student choreographers set work on Mason dancers every season, and dance majors are expected to participate in every audition opportunity. Choreographers schedule two-hour rehearsals twice weekly, and most are on weekday evenings or weekend afternoons. Dancers who are cast may register for performance credit.
Choreography
Your four-semester study of making dances begins with Improvisation, in which you examine movement preferences and expand these movement qualities through the exploration of effort, space and time. Composition I will focus on solo choreography, while Composition II focuses on group choreography. The course in Rhythmic Analysis, taken at the same time as Composition II, introduces basic music theory, which supports your study of creating dance. Such courses allow you the opportunity to hone your choreographic skills. Once you have completed your dance composition requirements, you may show work in the adjudication process that leads to our concert programming (Directed Choreography).
Production
The production series includes three courses that introduce you to backstage production support. In the Fall semester (Orientation to Dance Production), you learn the basics of running a light board, sound operation, stage management and wardrobe support, and are given a production assignment back stage for our December Concert. You are also responsible for strike in Harris Theatre your freshman year. By the end of spring semester (Dance Production), you and your classmates will be running an entire show in our Performance Studio. The last course in this series (Advanced Dance Production) introduces you to aspects of costume, sound and lighting design.
Dance History
This two-semester course combines the study of dance with the writing of dance criticism and research projects, and includes a survey of dance from around the globe in its social, ritual and theatrical contexts. Western theatrical dance is studied in detail, and students are required to attend and review professional concerts both at Mason and at venues in the area. Dance is approached as an art form that reflects and predicts societal changes, and students are taught how to analyze dance as an artistic and a cultural expression. Research projects give students opportunities to more deeeply investigate areas of study of particular interest and relevance to academic and artistic pursuits.
Body Awareness
Dynamic Alignment teaches you about the body. You will learn about bones, joints and muscles, but of more important will be your discovery of how the body moves and its subtle complexities. You will become aware of the uniqueness of each individual as you understand the potential of your instrument. You will also learn developmental stages of movement. In Somatic Studies you'll be introduced to various movement theories, including Pilates, Yoga, ideokinesiology, tai chi, Feldenkrais, and Alexander technique.
Teaching
Methods of Teaching Dance (required of all dance majors) and Teaching Creative Movement (an optional class) are courses that develop your teaching skills. Field experiences in teaching emphasize community outreach and could include teaching classes for a beginning dance class at Mason, preschoolers, elementary and middle school children, as well as for a retirement community. Students interested in a teaching career in the public school system may consider applying to earn a licensure in dance.
Synthesis
The senior year capstone course, Synthesis, includes professional development, portfolio creation, and planning for your future in dance. The course culminates in a presentation for the department of artistic statements and career goals.
For complete information on program requirements and policies, please see the University Catalog.
Program Requirements
For complete information on program requirements and policies for the 2017-18 year, please see the University Catalog.
Please see the University Catalog for complete program requirements and policies, and discuss all program plans with an academic advisor. Certain courses may fulfill multiple requirements across the Mason Core general education program, the college or school, and/or the specific program.
Entrance to the program is by audition. Information about the audition process, including dates and audition application, can be found on the School of Dance website or by calling the Dance office at 703-993-1114. Admission to the university is determined by the Admissions Office.
Degree Requirements (126 credits total)
Mason Core General education program required for all undergraduate students.
College Requirement(s) BFA majors are encouraged to complete coursework in Art or Art History, Music or Theater to enhance their artistry.
Major Requirements (56 credits)
Dance Core (56 credits)
- DANC 114 - Rhythmic Analysis and Music Resources for Dance Credits: 3
- Global Approaches to Dance One of the following:
- DANC 118 - World Dance Credits: 3
- DANC 318 - Global Perspectives: World Dance Forms Credits: 3
- DANC 418 - Global Dance Intensive Credits: 3
- Other approved global understanding course
- DANC 150 - Dance Improvisation Credits: 3
- DANC 170 - Orientation to Dance Production Credits: 1
- DANC 190 - First Year Seminar Credits: 0
- DANC 210 - Anatomy and Kinesiology for Dance Credits: 3
- DANC 251 - Dance Composition I Credits: 3
- DANC 252 - Dance Composition II Credits: 3
- DANC 270 - Dance Production Lab Credits: 1
- DANC 360 - Choreography Credits: 3
- DANC 362 - RS: Directed Choreography Credits: 1
- Four credits of one of the following
- DANC 370 - Dance Performance Credits: 1
- DANC 371 - Residency Workshop Credits: 1
- DANC 372 - Advanced Dance Production Credits: 1
- DANC 390 - Dance History I Credits: 3
- DANC 391 - Dance History II Credits: 3
- DANC 410 - Introduction to Contemporary Movement Theories Credits: 3
- DANC 454 - Methods of Teaching Dance Credits: 3
- DANC 490 - Senior Dance Seminar Credits: 3
Modern/Contemporary 18 credits, from the following repeatable courses:
- DANC 325 - Modern/Contemporary Dance III Credits: 1-3
- DANC 425 - Modern/Contemporary Dance IV Credits: 1-3
Ballet Nine credits, from the following repeatable courses:
- DANC 345 - Ballet III Credits: 1-3
- DANC 445 - Ballet IV Credits: 1-3
Dance Electives 15 credits from the following:
- DANC 118 - World Dance Credits: 3
- DANC 119 - Dance in Popular Culture: Afro-Latino Dance Credits: 3
- DANC 120 - Special Topics in Dance Credits: 1-3
- DANC 131 - Beginning Jazz Technique Credits: 3
- DANC 161 - Beginning Tap Dance Credits: 3
- DANC 225 - Modern/Contemporary Dance II Credits: 3
- DANC 231 - Intermediate Jazz Technique Credits: 3
- DANC 245 - Ballet II Credits: 3
- DANC 318 - Global Perspectives: World Dance Forms Credits: 3
- DANC 324 - Introduction to Dance Conditioning Credits: 1-3
- DANC 325 - Modern/Contemporary Dance III Credits: 1-3
- DANC 331 - Advanced Jazz Dance Credits: 3
- DANC 345 - Ballet III Credits: 1-3
- DANC 362 - RS: Directed Choreography Credits: 1
- DANC 370 - Dance Performance Credits: 1
- DANC 371 - Residency Workshop Credits: 1
- DANC 399 - Independent Study Credits: 1-3
- DANC 410 - Introduction to Contemporary Movement Theories Credits: 3
- DANC 418 - Global Dance Intensive Credits: 3
- DANC 420 - Special Topics in Dance Credits: 1-3
- DANC 425 - Modern/Contemporary Dance IV Credits: 1-3
- DANC 445 - Ballet IV Credits: 1-3
- DANC 453 - Teaching Creative Movement Credits: 3
Additional technique and performance credits beyond those required in the major core may be applied to dance electives.
Opportunities
Dance majors at Mason work with world-class faculty in world-class studios. In addition, professional dance companies often perform on campus and direct master classes, give lectures, and conduct discussions. Learn more about the many compelling reasons to study dance at Mason.