Daniel Smith
Associate Professor
Graduate & Undergraduate Certificate in Dance Accompanying
Increase your artistic and professional versatility with the Dance Accompanying Certificate. Designed for musicians seeking to engage with movement and collaboration, this program prepares students to work confidently in the dynamic environment of the dance field. Through focused coursework and hands-on practicum experience, students work under the mentorship of expert dance accompanists to develop the specialized skills required to accompany a broad range of dance technique classes. Whether you are a pianist, percussionist, or other instrumentalist, this certificate expands your musical adaptability while opening pathways to work in academic institutions, conservatories, and professional studios.
The Dance Accompanying Certificate cultivates a responsive and collaborative approach to music-making. Students learn to align musical structure with movement phrasing, shape dynamics to support physical intention, and improvise within clear formal frameworks. Emphasis is placed on real-time analysis, stylistic fluency, communication with instructors, and professional studio practices. By the end of the program, students are equipped not only with practical accompanying experience, but also with a deeper understanding of the artistic partnership between music and dance—an expertise that broadens both their employability and their creative perspective.
Program Highlights
- 12 credit hours that are typically completed in 4 semesters
- Hands-on dance accompanying experience within the School of Dance
- One-on-one mentorship from renowned faculty musicians
- Open to graduate and undergraduate students
Ready to start? First enroll in MUS 3934/5939, Foundations of Dance Accompanying, then apply for the Certificate in Dance Accompanying.
Who should apply?
- Musicians with formal training who want to expand their skillset, increase their improvisational abilities, and deepen their understanding of interdisciplinary art.
- Musicians with informal training who are curious about how their abilities can translate to employment opportunities and creative experiences.
Curriculum Map
Semester Courses Credit hours/semester Fall Year 1 Foundations of Dance Accompanying 3 Spring Year 1 Practicum in Dance Accompanying 3 Fall Year 2 Practicum in Dance Accompanying 3 Spring Year 2 Practicum in Dance Accompanying 3 Per FSU Policy 3A-1, Students are required to apply for the certificate prior to completing the second course in the program.
Required Courses
Foundations of Dance Accompanying, MUS 3934/5939 (3-credit hours)
An introduction to the principles and practices of accompanying dance technique classes. Students develop foundational skills in meter, phrasing, form, improvisation, and stylistic awareness as they relate to movement. Emphasis is placed on understanding dance class structures, aligning musical choices with technical objectives, and cultivating responsive collaboration in the studio.Practicum in Dance Accompanying, DAN 4935/5930 (3-credit hours)
A supervised, hands-on experience in accompanying live dance technique classes. Students apply and refine skills in real-time performance, improvisation, adaptability, and professional communication. Emphasis is placed on incorporating instructor feedback, supporting diverse dance genres, and developing consistency and artistic sensitivity in the studio.Admissions
Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants must be enrolled in or have taken MUS 3934/5939, Foundations of Dance Accompanying and must submit their application prior to week 14 of the fall semester.
Student applications will be reviewed on the rubric below by three faculty. Students receiving an unsatisfactory score on any of the components will not be considered for the program.
Criteria Weight Exceptional (9-10) Proficient (7-8) Adequate (5-6) Needs Improvement (3-4) Unsatisfactory (1-2) FSU GPA 33% 3.9-4.0 3.7-3.8 3.5-3.6 3.3-3.4 3.0-3.2 Letter of Intent 33% Clearly articulated goals and exceptional relevance to dance accompanying Clear goals and good relevance to dance accompanying Goals are somewhat clear and relevant to dance accompanying Goals are unclear and have limited relevance to dance accompanying Goals are not clear and lack relevance to dance accompanying Audio/Video Media Demonstrating Musical Ability 34% Exemplary musical ability with evidence of established foundational skills in the discipline Good musical ability with evidence of developing foundational skills in the discipline Adequate musical ability with evidence of emerging foundational skills in the discipline musical ability needs improvement with little evidence of foundational skills in the discipline musical ability is unsatisfactory with no evidence of foundational skills in the discipline Forms for Current Students
Students must submit the Completion Form during their final semester in the program to receive the certificate upon graduation.
Meet Our Faculty
