BFA in Dance

Overview

Program Purpose

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance program seeks to instill a solid foundation and an excellent educational experience to prepare qualified and aspiring students for careers or advanced studies in Classical Ballet, Classical Chinese Dance or a related field.

Educational Objectives

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance program aims to:

1. To enable students to develop a multifaceted physicality through systematic training in dance techniques as well as the ability to perform, create, educate, and administrate in the fields of Classical Ballet and/or Classical Chinese Dance.
2. To equip students with professional experiences and the ability to apply professional knowledge and skills in practical problem solving and decision-making related to dance, along with a sense of teamwork, professional attitudes, and ethical judgment.
3. To enable students to develop communication and critical thinking skills for life-long learning, the ability to appreciate the cultures, values, and arts of human traditions, and a respect for moral character.

Faculty

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

After completing this program, students should be able to:

• Students can demonstrate the correct execution of dance movements in Classical Ballet and/or Classical Chinese Dance.
• Students can rehearse and perform expressively in front of a live audience.
• Students can use choreographic tools to create original dance works.
• Students will be able to explain and contextualize key concepts from dance-based pedagogy, kinesiology, arts administration, and dance history/cultural studies through discussions, essays, exams, and presentations.
• Students will exhibit a professional work ethic and practically apply knowledge from dance academic courses by completing projects and/or professional internships.

Requirements

Admissions Requirement

Institutional-wide Admission Criteria

• Completion of high school or equivalent.
• Official Transcript: allow for evaluation of academic performance, relevant coursework, and overall readiness for college-level study.
• Personal Statement: helps reviewers understand the applicant’s motivations and aspirations to pursue the program of study.
• Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation from teachers, mentors, or professionals familiar with the applicant’s abilities and potential, and additional insights into the applicant’s character, work ethic, and potential for success in the program.

Program-specific Criteria

In addition to meeting the general college admissions requirements, applicants to the undergraduate dance program (BFA in Dance) are expected to have a minimum of two years’ experience with ballet, classical Chinese dance, or other dance training.

In lieu of an in-person interview, applicants to the graduate dance program are required to submit a 5-minute audition video file of the applicant performing ballet, classical Chinese dance, and/or another dance form. The video must be made within six   months of the date of application. Recordings must be unedited and clearly labeled with the applicant’s full name and a list of the repertoire performed therein.

Applicants may be invited to campus for a live audition if deemed necessary. The live audition consists of a condensed class dance technique and lasts for approximately one and a half hours. If the applicant passes the first part of the audition, he or she will be asked to perform a short solo dance piece that the applicant has learned or choreographed. The solo should be accompanied by music that is playable from an MP3 player or similar device.

Applicants will be assessed on their:

• Potential for a career in dance
• Physique and body alignment
• Coordination and flexibility
• Rhythmic accuracy
• Ability to replicate movement combinations
• Respect for moral character and the commitment to learn ballet and classical Chinese dance in a holistic way.

Graduation Requirement

• Students must complete all the required credits in the Major Requirements, General Education Core and Free Electives with a minimum GPA of 2.0 in order to graduate.
• Students must also complete at least 41 courses designated as “LAS” or Liberal Arts and Science in accordance with New York State regulations.

Curriculum Details

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum for the BFA in Dance is a 123-semester credit program with three major components: major requirements, general education requirements, and free electives.

BFA in Dance Curriculum

Graduation Requirement

Students must complete all the required credits with a minimum GPA of 2.0 overall and across all the major courses in order to graduate.

Major Requirements(77 credits)

General Education Core (40 credits)

¹ Theses courses require either the student’s Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of SAT score is above 570 or the student passes FTC Northern’s English placement test unless the student receives consent from both his/her advisor and the course instructor.

²   Required for freshmen students.

^3.  Required for all undergraduates.

* Overflow credits will be counted into Free Electives.

Free Electives (6 credits)

Students are free to choose 6 credits from the following dance elective courses or any university level courses offered by FTC Northern.

*  For studio courses labeled with “R”, students are eligible to receive credit(s) after 1 semester rather than to complete the required 2 semesters.