BFA in Dance
The BFA in dance emphasizes excellence in technique, composition, performance, and dance studies. The program accepts students through a rigorous audition and prepares them through subsequent training designed to support professional careers in performance, creative or discursive work, or further studies.
BFA requirements include modern/contemporary, ballet, jazz, urban/street styles, and African diasporic movement technique forms; performance experience with faculty and visiting artists at the pre-professional level, six semesters of dance making, and three semesters of history and theory. Additional required courses include kinesiology, music, production, and pedagogy; as well as studio and academic electives.
Acceptance into the BFA is by audition only.
Career Paths
All liberal arts degrees help CLA students develop their Core Career Competencies, and dance majors develop specific skills that are applicable to lots of different careers. These skills include strong discipline, creative thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to work well independently and collaboratively.
Students who take the SuperStrong Interest Inventory receive a three-letter interest code, which identifies their top three areas of interest, work activities, potential skills, and personal values. The interest code "AER" is often associated with this major, however, the SuperStrong assessment can help you understand how your interests connect to a variety of majors and career options. You can learn more about common employer types and occupations associated with this major. You can also see CLA-specific examples of alumni careers below.
Internships & Job Search Websites
- Handshake
- Dance Net
- Dance NYC
- Higher Ed Jobs
- Dance Advantage
- Entertainment Careers
- Performing Arts Career Guide
- Volunteer Opportunities for Dancers
Student Groups
- The Dance Collective
- Minnesota Kpop Dance Crew
- Electronic Dance Music Club
- Dance Marathon at the University of Minnesota
- University of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club
- Dance of Other Measure Dance Crew
- Latin Dance Club of UMN
- Premiere Dance Team
- Minnesota Dance Club
- Jazba Entertainment
- Minnesota Junoon
- Hip Hope
Professional Organizations
- American Dance Guild
- American Dance Therapy Association
- Dance USA
- National Association of Schools of Dance
- National Dance Education Organization
- Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
Alumni Career Examples
Below is a small sampling of what alumni with this major have pursued, organized by the most common career fields they go into (although keep in mind that there are alumni in all eight of the career fields). You can also utilize LinkedIn's Alumni Tool and the Maroon and Gold Network to further explore alumni career pathways and connect directly with professionals.
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Education Intern - Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival
- Development Intern - Center for Victims of Torture
- Marketing Intern - Children's Theatre Company
- Marketing Strategy Intern, Fair Anita
- Dancer, Dance Italia
- Digital Media Intern, Minnesota Children’s Museum
- Human Resources Intern, Joffrey Ballet
- Educational Programming Intern, Weavers Guild of Minnesota
- Development Intern, Northrop Memorial Auditorium
Entry-Level
- Dance/Performer - ColliDe Theatrical Dance Company
- Dancer - Shapiro and Smith Dance
- Attended Intensive - Ririe, Woodbury Dance Company
- Box Office Manager - Theatre of the Riverside Church
- Instructor - St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists
- Company Member - ARENA Dances
- Board Member - Keane Sense of Rhythm
- Choreographer - St.Olaf College
- After School Program Instructor and Mentor
- Actress/Dancer - Guthrie Theater
- Lighting Assistant - ShopNBC
- Character Performer/Mover- Walt Disney World
- Dance Artist, freelance
- Dance Company Member - JAZZDance
- Dance Instructor - Big Brothers Big Sisters
Experienced
- Professional Dancer - Sarah Berges Dance Company
- Dance Program - University of Minnesota
- Administrative Director, Dance Division - The Juilliard School*
- Guest Artist, Teacher and Choreographer - St. Olaf College
- Director/Choreographer - Kaleena Miller Dance
- Artistic Director - Lucas Daniel Dance
- Director - Ballare Teatro Performing Arts Center
- Managing Director - New Epic Theater
- Group Fitness and Yoga Instructor - Life Time
- Co-Coordinator - Minnesota Sage Awards for Dance
- Managing Editor & Art Director - NuMode Magazine*
Graduate Programs
- MFA, Dance
- MA, Dance Therapy