Bachelor of Arts in Dance

Nurture your talent and passion for dance in a collaborative environment full of dedicated individuals just like you. Brenau’s Bachelor of Arts in Dance program will set you up to receive work as an artist both on and off the stage. You’ll explore different angles of the field, including how to start your own studio or business, and how to promote yourself as a professional artist, scholar, and choreographer. When you finish the program, you’ll graduate prepared to pursue a dance career and change lives through your art. 

Choose the best concentration for you

• Performance Concentration – The Performance Concentration is a specialized focus of study that provides solid preparation for the professionally-focused undergraduate performer and/or choreographer who wants to develop and deepen their technical and artistic talent to confidently enter the professional arena and/or continue their education in a graduate training program. A carefully constructed sequence of courses will assist dancers in developing their technique, creativity, collaborative skills, and artistic vision. The Concentration in Performance offers a wealth of opportunity for dance majors to gain artistic experience in a wide range of genres while undertaking in-depth training in the performer and choreographer’s craft. 
• Production Concentration – The Production Concentration is for students to gain technical theatre skills that require a combination of artistic creativity, technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work backstage. Professionals in technical theatre in dance are responsible for ensuring that all technical aspects of a production run smoothly and effectively, supporting the overall artistic vision of the performance.
• Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration – This specialized concentration is designed to prepare students for application to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and enables them to apply to Brenau’s DPT program. The concentration offers robust courses, valuable opportunities, including seminars, career development workshops, and volunteer experiences, all tailored to support aspiring physical therapists.
• Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration – The Pre-Occupational Therapy (Pre-OT) concentration prepares you with the skills and knowledge you’ll need to pursue advanced degrees in occupational therapy (OT) and make a meaningful difference in your patients’ lives. Through a comprehensive curriculum that emphasizes both the sciences and essential skills like communication and critical thinking, you will gain the necessary foundation for becoming an advocate for OT patients. With hands-on learning and clinical exposure, this program positions you to succeed in occupational therapy and turn your passion for people into a career.
• Dance/Movement Therapy Graduate Certificate Program – Students will  learn how to effectively apply dance and movement into improving individuals’ quality of life, whether they’re living with a chronic condition or navigating trauma. This part-time program offered through the Psychology Department has  nine courses with criteria established by the American Dance Therapy Association.
• Pedagogy Concentration – The teaching concentration offers the fundamental and practical knowledge of various dance techniques, principles of music, anatomy, curriculum development, and pedagogy. You will learn to incorporate the National Dance Education Standards for dance in the arts for levels from children through pre-professionals in both public and private sectors. You will broaden your perspective of what dance can do for individuals and the role that dance education can play in the enrichment of lifelong learning.

Student opportunities 

• Build a foundation in classical ballet, jazz, modern and African diasporic dance
• Take courses in production, choreography, pedagogy, dance history and more
• Audition for and perform in multiple shows per year
• Learn from and perform work by international and recognized guest artists
• Develop a personal artistic philosophy based on your studies and interests 
• Learn how to launch your own dance studio or business 
• Complete a paid internship with an art organization or dance company

Potential careers

• Professional dancer
• Dance/movement therapist
• Artistic director
• Dance critic/writer
• Dance/performing arts educator
• Arts administrator
• Choreographer
• Fitness instructor 
• Stage manager
• Performing arts producer

All prospective dance majors must complete an audition form and attend a Dance Scholarship and Technique Placement Audition before enrolling. Learn more about Auditions

Have questions?

 770-534-6245
danceinfo@brenau.edu