BFA in Dance
The BFA in dance at Florida State University is designed to provide an environment of the highest caliber in both practice and scholarship preparing students to enter dance as a profession. The degree emphasis is on performance and choreography as well as the theoretical aspects of dance (pedagogical, historic and aesthetic). Additionally, students select an area of specialization which relates to their areas of interest, deepens their understanding of dance, and may impact their particular contribution to the field upon graduation.
Advisor Contact Info
BFA Program Advisor
Academic Program Manager
Why Dance at FSU?
Award-Winning Mentorship: Learn from Dance Legends
Our esteemed faculty isn’t just accomplished in the classroom – they’re celebrated on the world stage. They’ve received prestigious honors like the MacArthur Fellowship, Fulbright fellowships, Bessie Award, Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, Bogliasco Foundation Fellowships, Dance Magazine Awards, Dance USA Honors, and recognition from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, The Kennedy Center Honors and the National Medal of the Arts.
Experience Matters: A Network of Industry Professionals
Many of our faculty have graced the stages of renowned companies such as New York City Ballet, Houston Ballet, Oakland Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Nikolais & Murray Louis Dance Company, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Ballethnic Dance Company, Harambee, Umoja, and more. They also collaborate extensively, serving as active participants in organizations like CORPS de Ballet International, American Culture Association, PoP Moves, World Dance Alliance, Alliance of Community Artists, and Dance USA.
Internationally Recognized Creatives: Learn from the Best
Beyond their teaching, our faculty are also prolific creators. In addition to works set on students many produce work that tours nationally and their films have screened at prestigious festivals like Dancing for the Camera at the American Dance Festival and ScreenDance Miami. However, their creative influence extends far beyond the stage and screen. Some have founded groundbreaking companies, like Jawole Willa Zollar’s Urban Bush Women. They are also accomplished authors, publishing a wide range of books that span the dance world, from in-depth guides on dance conditioning to leading textbooks that explore dance’s role in popular culture. This multifaceted approach to dance allows our faculty to bring not just theoretical knowledge, but also real-world experience and innovation into the classroom.
Placement & Proficiency
On entrance into the program, all students are assigned an appropriate placement, or technique level, in ballet and in contemporary dance. At the end of a studio technique course, students must demonstrate the necessary technical progress to enroll at the next level; otherwise, they re-enroll at the same level until ready to advance. To meet graduation requirements, the student must achieve and maintain the Ballet II-2 level and the Contemporary Dance II-1 level or the Contemporary Dance II-2 level and the Ballet II-1 level; the advanced proficiency level (II-2) must be achieved by one semester prior to graduation.
Performance & Production
Our BFA program fosters well-rounded dancers by integrating practical experience with artistic development, requiring attendance at weekly dance forums (a series of community building lectures and films throughout the academic year), the completion of technical production responsibilities and participation in at least one school-sponsored performance each year.
Liberal Studies Requirement
All students working toward a degree in dance must meet the university’s liberal studies requirements.
Study in Paris or New York
Through our Study Abroad/Study Domestic program offerings, our students are able expand their learning with firsthand experience in New York and Paris. ARTS in NYC is open to Seniors and Graduate Students from across arts disciplines and Universities. Dance in Paris runs during the summer in conjunction with FSU’s Office of International Programs and is open to dance majors from FSU and other Universities.
