ABOUT US
Howard University Dance Major
The
Department of
Theatre Arts, offers a
Dance Major with a curriculum for students interested in exposure to
the art of dance as a performer and identifying courses for students
with professional goals as a performer, educator, critic, historian or
seeking a minor as interdisciplinary study in the dance field. The
curriculum is based on the foundation work of Mary Rose Reeves Allen in
the Department of Physical Education in the College of Liberal Arts.
Since 1991, the program has developed as a training component for the
Theatre Arts Department in the Division of Fine Arts.
Guided by
requirements of the National Association of Schools of Dance, the dance
arts major is based on a 120-semester hour model (minimum) with
approximately 55%-60% of the credit requirement in dance and supportive
courses. The curriculum is structured in a developmental profession from
foundation to major, including twelve to fifteen semester hours of
choreography and dance theory. The remaining courses reflect 15%-20%
educational theory, methods, and practicum, and 25%-30% in general
academic studies.
With the range
of
faculty background, guest artists and dance experience, the
Dance Major offers a core of courses that provide a program of high
creativity and academic potential for the aspiring dance
artist/performer. The students are provided with course offerings that
include African Dance classes, featuring the teaching and choreography
of guest artists from the countries of Cameroon, Guinea, Liberia, and
Senegal on the continent of Africa, Contemporary and Traditional Jazz,
Tap, Katherine Dunham Technique, Martha Graham, Lester Horton Modern
Dance Techniques, Ballet Techniques of Vaganova, Royal Academy of
Ballet, Cechetti and theory courses in the discipline of dance and the
technical application and development of the body.
Dance students
have been given the opportunity to work with such legendary pioneering
artist Dr. Pearl E. Primus, who celebrated 50 years in Dance with a Lila
Wallace Readers Digest grant awarded to Howard University.
In addition to
the presence of Dr. Pearl E. Primus, legendary traditional jazz dance
artist Pepsi Bethel, renowned modern dance choreographer/Dunham
Technique master, Talley Beatty, and highly acclaimed contemporary
choreographer, Kevin Jeff of Jubilation Dance Company have developed
choreography for the concert of Howard University Dance Ensemble, the
performance unit course of the Dance Major. Since the offering of the
Howard University Dance Ensemble as a credit course for development on
the professional stage, selected students have performed in concerts
before sold out audiences that have included audiences giving high
quality artistic comments of comparison to the Alvin Ailey second
company.
As a pioneering
university in the development of leadership,
Howard University is proud of
the guidance and direction towards high quality and standards being
offered by the Department of Theatre Arts Dance Major Program. As noted
in a review by Washington Post critic Pamela Squires, "...well trained
American dancers at the Howard University Dance Concert...had stamina,
precision and stage presence...their sophistication allowed the artist
to expand his choreography and let his ideas flow...the students were
both willing and able to negotiate the difference in the aesthetics of
Senegalese African Dance."
Through grants,
funding support from the Office of the President, H. Patrick Swygert,
the Fine Arts Dean's Office, Department of Theatre Arts, and
collaborations with major arts presenters, Howard University students,
community and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area are exposed to
concerts and master classes featuring such national/international
artists, as Katherine Dunham, Garth Fagan, Rex Nettleford, Jawolle Willa
Jo Zollar, Harold Pierson, Urban Bush Women, Dayton Contemporary Dance
Company, Hector Cortez, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Nanette Bearden Dance
Company, Donald McKayle, Donald Byrd, Milton Myers, Jewelle Gomez,
Judith Jamison, Don Bellamey, Alvin Ailey Dance Company, Joe Goode
Performance Group, Joe Nash, The American Dance Festival Project, Frank
Chavez, Hubbard Street Dance Company, Carmen de Lavallade, Walter Nicks,
Eleo Pomare, and Joan Myers Brown, Executive/Artistic Director,
Philadelphia Dance Company.
In addition, six
week training sessions are required for each student in professional
environments including work with the host of guest artists, dance
companies, national arts institutions, or an approved independent
intense technical training program. The students are also required to
experience the range of performance venues in the university and
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
The dance
program offers financial assistance to selected students who are
challenged with the opportunity to audition, train technically, develop
in choreography with nationally renowned artists, and participate in
performances with major dance companies. The technically qualified
student is offered intensive studio training and performance skills for
further development.
For further
information contact: Howard University Dance Major Program
(202) 806-7052/7050.
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