Dance BFA - Academic Experience

Unique to the program are offerings in comparative jazz styles and techniques. Additional offerings include dance kinesiology, improvisation, music theatre dance, social dance, male dancer, partnering, mind-body integration, creative movement and internships in dance. This course of study cultivates resourceful and informed artists that successfully pursue graduate study and/or work in the areas of concert dance, commercial dance, private sector and dance education.

Active professional teacher/artists along with established residencies and guest artists enhance the UB educational process by providing valuable networking opportunities for graduating students and global residencies.

Internships in dance teaching are available. The Department of Theatre & Dance encourages students to seek out this opportunity and expects it of majors. Qualified dance majors interested in dance education are invited to participate in “Bridging Communities through Dance” an outreach project linking UB Dance and the Buffalo City School District; students wishing to pursue careers in dance movement therapy may intern with Moving Miracles Dance Studio, a dance/movement program for children, adolescents, and adults who are exceptionally challenged mentally, physically and/or emotionally, which places qualified dance majors in teaching residencies; students interested in somatic practices may apply for internships with Northstar Pilates and Ultra Barre Certification, offered as summer study.

The Department of Theatre & Dance offers an immersive, study abroad experience in London during the winter session. Over the course of three weeks, students are led on a guided discovery of London’s artistic and cultural world. Instruction takes place on site at some of the world’s most fascinating historic, cultural, and performing arts venues, as well as while attending an extensive line-up of performances across a wide range of mediums, genres, and styles. Students also take on an independent artistic and cultural research project while in London, which provides them with the opportunity to conduct field research on a topic of their choice. Applications are welcome from undergraduate students enrolled at any accredited US college or institution who is in good academic standing with a minimum overall GPA of 2.500.

Dancers Workshop is a student organization that offers non-credit performing and related opportunities to the university community at various levels of ability and interest. Workshop advisers are members of the dance faculty.

From the Wings is a student organization that offers non-credit performance opportunities primarily, but not exclusively to music theatre majors. Faculty advisors are members of the music theatre faculty.

Emerging Choreographers Showcase is faculty directed/mentored. Advanced-level student choreographers are invited by the faculty to present concerts of their works.

Zodiaque Dance Company is a performance training company that requires a major time commitment. Membership for the year is by audition early each fall.

• Amanda C. Occhino Award
• Elizabeth Webb Dance Foundation
• College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Department Award
• College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Senior Award
• Jean Taylor Bear Foundation Award, granted to upper class dance majors for excellence in dance and for guest choreographers to create original dance works for the UB dance companies
• LehrerDance Observership, offered to a senior and allows them to work closely with the professional dance company in their senior year
• Performing and Creative Arts Scholarships