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About this field

Dancers use movement to tell stories, express themselves, provide entertainment and inspire others. There are numerous styles of dance, including ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance. The Valdosta State University dance program, one of only a handful of colleges in the state to offer a major in the field, fosters excellence in these areas of dance and prepares students to succeed as professional artists.

The Valdosta State Difference

The Dance program at VSU offers a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree and a minor in Dance. Students have many opportunities to develop their skills as the program offers production opportunities include a main-stage dance show presented by the VSU Repertory Dancers, the oldest university repertory company in Georgia, a musical theatre production produced each year along with other production opportunities in the community and schools. An annual classical ballet scholarship fundraiser and the Emerging Artists student choreography showcase are two popular productions that our dancers and patrons support. Students also have the opportunity to choreograph, be dance captains for main-stage productions, and perform in the annual children's tour.

The VSU Dance Club offer additional outlets in performance, teaching and choreography throughout the academic year. VSU dance students and faculty have also been active participants in the American College Dance Festival, which offers a vital experience for college dancers to perform, take classes, network with the regional college dance community and view outstanding choreography by students, faculty, and professionals.

Peach State Summer Theatre, which is the professional extension of the Theatre and Dance Programs, offers summer employment opportunities for those accepted through annual auditions. Peach State Summer Theatre is designated as the Official Musical Theatre of the State of Georgia.

How do we know we are successful? Just look at our alumni. Many of our alumni are those who return to campus as part of the networking opportunities. We view our alumni relationship as a strong advantage to our program

What You'll Learn

As a major in the Dance program you will:

• learn critical thinking, problem-solving, planning and organization.
• work with deadlines.
• learn teamwork.
• develop perseverance, self-discipline, and patience while developing physical stamina and creative abilities.
• receive formal training in multiple dance disciplines.
• develop a broad understanding of music, literature, history, and other arts to help interpret ideas and feelings in dance.
• develop an understanding of music, costuming, and staging.

Admissions Requirements

All students who intend to pursue the B.F.A. with a major in Dance must audition for the purpose of admission into the program. Auditions are regularly hosted on campus and at major Dance events such as Pebblebrook High School in Atlanta, GA and the National High School Dance Festival.

Students entering the University directly from high school must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or better on all course work undertaken in order to continue as Theatre and Dance majors. If in any given semester a student's overall GPA falls below 2.0, the student will have one semester (fall or spring) to bring it back up to or above 2.0. If the overall GPA remains below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters, the student will be requested to change majors. Any student who fails to respond to that request will automatically be transferred to an undeclared major status.

Students who enter the University as transfer students who wish to continue a major in Theatre or Dance must have a GPA of at least 2.0 on all course work undertaken. Upon acceptance as a major, a student must maintain an overall 2.0 GPA as described above.

Students changing majors from another program within the University must also have at least a 2.0 overall GPA to transfer to the Theatre or Dance major, and they will be subject to the same maintenance requirements already described.

Careers

• Aerobics Instructor
• Arts Administrator
• Ballet Teacher
• Choreographer
• Company Dancer
• Dance Company Manager
• Dance Notator
• Dance Therapist

• Dance/Arts Journalist
• Jazz Teacher
• Modern Dance Teacher
• Pilates Instructor
• Professional Ballerina
• Professional Dancer
• Tap Teacher