Salem State University adds to liberal arts offerings with new major in dance

Salem State University is pleased to announce the addition of a dance major to its growing liberal arts curriculum. The bachelor’s degree program will become part of a new department of music and dance, and will launch this fall.

 

According to chair Mary-Jo Grenfell, “Through the dedication and hard work of our faculty and students, dance has grown from a concentration in sport and movement science (SMS) into a discipline of its own. The creation of the dance major—and the ability of students to now receive a bachelor’s degree in dance—recognizes the evolution, development and importance of the program to our students and the broader community. This new degree program will merge with a sister discipline (music), and become part of a new music and dance department.”

The bachelor of arts degree in dance provides students with a comprehensive liberal arts education in the field. In addition to learning a diverse range of dance techniques ranging from modern, ballet and improvisation, students will study rotating topics in dance technique (hip-hop, tap, jazz, flamenco, tango) as well as study dance history and theory.

 

While course work in dance composition will develop skills in choreography and performance, courses in the art of teaching dance form will provide a foundation for dance instruction. Those interested in a career in dance company and studio administration will find the skills they’ll need in dance production classes.

 

By allying two artistic and performance majors under one umbrella in a new music and dance department, the university expects to provide a solid foundation in each of the two disciplines while concomitantly creating an educational environment that fosters critical thinking, collaborative scholarship and artistic creativity.

 

Artists from varied backgrounds visit campus each year to teach master classes and perform in a diverse range of styles, exposing students to current trends in the field of music or dance and providing the inspiration that arts study can provide in an up close and personal environment. 

Salem State’s music major celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, and has approximately 65 majors. Salem State University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music. With the addition of dance, the department will now offer five programs of study: a bachelor of arts in music, bachelor of arts degree in dance, a minor in music, a minor in music technology, and a minor in dance.



 July 22, 2015