Why Dance at Mason?

Leading choreographers come to campus to work with Mason dance students every year. Here, guest artist David Parsons conducts a class with Mason dancers. Parsons founded Parsons Dance and has created works for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the American Ballet Theatre, the American Dance Festival, the New York City Ballet, the Paul Taylor Dance Company and the Spoleto Festival.

At Mason, dancers are on stage early and often, with more than 20 performance opportunities each year. There is no waiting your turn; freshmen audition alongside their more senior classmates.

Faculty member Linda Miller works one-on-one with a ballet student. The School of Dance only accepts 20 dancers in each freshman class, because a total of 80 dance majors allows the faculty be completely committed to your artistic development.

The Harman Center for the Arts in downtown Washington, D.C., is one of many venues in which students can enjoy dance performances by national and international companies. Other local sites include the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Strathmore, and Dance Place. (Courtesy of Shakespeare Theatre Company)

Dancers have room to move freely in Mason's four spacious studios, perform on amazing stages, and have access to a fully equipped dance conditioning lab.

It's all about the dance, but at Mason, you're also living the life of a university student. Dancers receive complete and well-rounded academic instruction, enabling them to stretch their minds to the fullest while training their bodies to be the best.

Sajen Banister, BFA, 2014, is working with the Lyric Opera of Chicago this fall. Mason dancers find employment at dance meccas across the nation. Mason's dance program has a national reputation that opens many doors.