Dance Studies

Four CMU students performing a dance up on stage for a Dance Company Concert on the campus of Central Michigan University. — University Dance Company

Dance Company dress rehearsal performance on the campus of Central Michigan University. — Dance Company dress rehearsal

Two CMU students doing a Dance Dress Rehearsal for Japan in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Central Michigan University. — Dance Dress Rehearsal for Japan

A student does a dance routine at the heart of Central Michigan Universities campus with the Bovee University Center in the background. — Dancers on Campus

CMU Dance Studies major is the only Dance Studies major in Michigan!

The mission of the CMU Dance Studies major is to train and mentor dance-based performers, critical thinkers, writers, choreographers, production technicians, administrators, educators, and scholars who will be prepared to contribute to the field of dance in a wide variety of professional careers.

CMU Dance Studies students will take classes that will prepare them for a variety of vocations within the field of dance including, but not limited to, professional performer, educator, choreographer, arts administrator, critic, and scholar. All dance majors will take an internship in their chosen area of dance during their senior year. A minor in Business or Entrepreneurship is required.

Dance Studies expands the intellectual framework of dance education outside of the traditional dance studio. While dance technique courses will be a significant portion of the required course work, critical thinking, writing, and rigorous scholarly exploration will partner with the physical training to deepen the students’ understanding of dance in a global context. Students will study dance history in order to understand the development of varying genres of dance and their placement in global structures. Classes such as performing arts administration, dance composition, writing about dance, dance pedagogy, and dance for film (screen dance) will partner with students’ technical dance training to provide varying paths for career exploration and employment.

We regularly host week-long residencies with professional dance artists to provide additional diverse dance experiences for CMU’s dance students. Examples of past guest artist residencies include Omri Drumlevich (Gaga Movement Language, Batsheva Dance Ensemble), Masashi Action Machine (Japan), Jump Rhythm Jazz Project (Chicago), and Natya Dance Theatre (Chicago) For CMU Michigan Dance Day, we brought several respected Michigan Dancers to campus to present a series of master classes and discussion panels.

The dance faculty are engaged in active performance practice, community engagement, and scholarly research that directly serve the goals of the Dance Studies Major to prepare students to work in a variety of dance-related vocations.

Learn more about joining the CMU Dance Studies major by completing this brief form, using the button above, or contacting Heather Trommer-Beardslee.

Dance Minor

The minor in dance provides performance experiences and a well-rounded curriculum for students who wish to combine the study of dance with a degree in another discipline. After you earn a minor in dance at CMU, you may pursue a career in the professional dance industry. CMU's program will help you further develop your skills in dance technique, production, history, and choreography.

University Theatre Dance Company

The University Theatre Dance Company performs in the spring as part of the University Theatre Main Stage Season in Bush Theatre. Auditions are open to all CMU students regardless of major. The dance company features 15 to 30 talented university students in professionally choreographed jazz, ballet, modern, hip hop, ballroom, and tap dance works. University Theatre Dance Company membership is awarded through auditions which take place yearly in early to mid-January.