BA in Dance in Evanston United States | Northwestern University

The dance program offers a comprehensive approach that blends theoretical knowledge with practical training across multiple dance styles. Students pursuing this major focus intensively on composition and choreography, engaging in writing, research, and critical analysis of dance as an art form. Alongside these studies, dancers refine their technical abilities through regular classes and performance experiences. The curriculum builds upon core disciplines including contemporary modern dance (featuring the energetic Jump Rhythm Jazz technique), classical ballet, and tap. Participants study movement dynamics, investigate creative partnerships between dance and music, and experiment with improvisation to cultivate their unique compositional voice.

Our distinguished faculty consists of acclaimed performing artists, innovative choreographers, and leading dance academics specializing in history, theory, and pedagogy. Visiting artists conduct specialized workshops in diverse dance genres. This interdisciplinary program combines dance studies with liberal arts to nurture students' creative, intellectual, and professional development, equipping them for careers in performance, dance criticism, teaching, choreography, therapeutic applications, and arts management.

Prospective students apply to the dance major through Northwestern's standard undergraduate admissions procedure, with no audition requirement. During orientation week, incoming students participate in a placement class to assess their appropriate technical level for coursework.