Studying dance at Denison
Department of Dance
THE STUDY OF "DANCE AS AN ART FORM" necessitates an integration of the kinesthetic (body), the intellectual/critical (mind), and the emotional/internal (spirit).
This trinity (body, mind, spirit) is the core concern of the discourse, the discipline and the faculty as we explore the physical and metaphysical material both academically and artistically, exposing students to the principles of dance through both movement and theoretical inquiry. The opportunity for application in research and concert performance is available early in the student's career, enabling her/him to become independently productive. Our focus is on contemporary dance with courses offered in ballet and world dance forms.
The World Dance Program brings in each semester an artist to teach one
of various World Dance forms, including Native American, Flamenco,
Balinese, Capoeira, Ghanaian, Bharatanatyam, Hawaiian Hula and Latin
Social Dance.
The dance major and minor
All dance majors must take:- Four required theoretical core courses, including:
- Dance Improvisation and Composition
- Experiential Anatomy and Kinesiology
- Introduction to Movement Analysis
- One of the following:
- Cultural studies in Dance History
- Dance and Ethnicity
- Women and the Arts
- Eight additional courses of technique in any configuration of genres. Majors must reach or achieve the highest level in both contemporary and ballet.
- Junior Research and Methodology or Seminars in Choreography and Production
- Senior Research
- Four repertory credits (200 rehearsal hours).
The minor in dance consists of a minimum of 24 credit hours. All dance minors must take:
- Three theoretical core courses, including:
- One of the following:
- Dance Improvisation and Composition
- Experiential Anatomy and Kinesiology
- Introduction to Movement Analysis
- And one of the following:
- Cultural studies in Dance History
- Dance and Ethnicity
- Women and the Arts
- One of the following:
- A combination of technique and repertory credits totaling 12 hours
- A focus in contemporary, ballet or world dance.
Department of Dance
What do dance majors do after Denison?
Many of our students go on to graduate school attending The Ohio State University, University of North Carolina, the University of Oregon and the University of Illinois. Several of our alumni are dancing and/or choreographing professionally in the Chicago area with, for example, the Hedwig Dance Theater. One has her own company, MadShak Dance in Chicago. Two are employed in arts administration for dance. Others are teaching children and adults in studios in New Jersey, California, and Ohio. One is currently part of a collaborative improvisational group called Group Atness, based out of Northampton, MA.
Several of our students have gone on to graduate school at Columbia College in dance therapy and are currently working as Dance Therapists. Many are currently enrolled in graduate school in law, medicine, physical therapy, and massage school.
There are many possibilities for a career in dance and we will help you find your niche.
The World Dance Program brings in each semester an artist to teach one
of various World Dance forms, including Native American, Flamenco,
Balinese, Capoeira, Ghanaian, Bharatanatyam, Hawaiian Hula and Latin
Social Dance.
Who are our professors?
Department Chair and Associate Professor Gill Wright Miller, joined the faculty at Denison in 1981. She earned a B.F.A. at Denison University, an M.A.L.S. at Wesleyan University and a Ph.D. at New York University. She is a theorist of cultural studies, movement analysis, and experiential anatomy.
Associate Professor Sandra Mathern-Smith joined the faculty at Denison in 1988. She earned a B.A. from Portland State University and an M.F.A. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She is a post-modernist choreographer/performer, whose technique integrates principles of contact improvisation.
Assistant Professor Maria Cynthia Anderson joined the faculty at Denison in 2008. She earned a B.A. and M.F.A. from the University of Washington, Seattle.
Assistant Professors Cabello Rolim and Tisza Coelho joined the faculty in 2008. They are highly respected Brazilian educators, Capoeira artists, performers and percussionists.
An artist in World Dance joins the department each semester with
expertise in a culturally distinct dance form, broadening our students'
perspective on the world of dance.
For more information about the department and curriculum, go to:
or contact:
Gill Wright Miller, Chair
Department of Dance
Doane Dance Center
Denison University
Granville, Ohio 43023
Fax: (740) 587-6750
E-mail: millerg@denison.edu