专业描述

The USC Dance Program recently achieved national recognition in the April 2014 edition of Dance Magazine. The piece, “Ballet Goes to College,” lists USC as one one of the top three non-conservatory programs to consider which offer specialization in classical ballet. Our undergraduate program combines a rigorous dance classroom and studio environment with the depth and breadth of an excellent liberal arts education. The dance program, founded by Professor Susan E. Anderson, has established a long legacy of excellence. The program attracts highly motivated students from across the country and abroad, who are committed to rigorous development of their natural abilities through study combined with practice, leading to a life enriched by the art of dance. Working from a solid foundational core of dance courses, students have the option of developing additional competencies with an emphasis in either Performance and Choreography or Dance Education K-12 Certification. All majors in both emphases study together in studio, performance, choreography and dance academic coursework. Dance Education K-12 Certification students begin their dance education course work after completing the foundational courses, however they continue studio and performance work with Performance and Choreography emphasis majors. Our experienced studio faculty strives to instill a sound foundation of guided practice in the disciplines and principles of classical ballet, contemporary dance and jazz. The program has a long established specialty in ballet infused with the energy of cutting-edge contemporary dance. In conjunction with the College of Education, the dance program also offers students the opportunity to pursue South Carolina K-12 Teachers Certification, in addition to pursuing a degree in dance. The focus of the emphasis is pedagogical, but also includes training in a variety of dance techniques and performance, as well as theoretical studies. Students are required to participate in an internship in student teaching in local public schools. Performance is as an essential experience and our performance companies are designed to challenge serious students with a variety of opportunities. It is our desire that each student obtain essential intellectual, creative and physical experiences through individual and collaborative experiences. Our performance seasons routinely feature the works of legendary choreographers such as George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor and Martha Graham, demonstrating the diversity, as well as technical excellence, required to perform these iconic masterworks. We regularly bring in well-known guest artists to stage major pieces or create work on our dancers. Recent guests include Chris Uchida (Twyla Tharp Dance), Lila York (Paul Taylor Dance Co.), Nathan Trice (Complexions, nathantrice/RITUALS), Amanda Miller (William Forsythe's Ballet Frankfurt), Lynne Taylor-Corbett (Tony-winning choreographer) and Cathy McCann Buck (Paul Taylor Dance). Original works by Thaddeus Davis and Tanya Wideman-Davis, of our resident professional dance company Wideman/Davis Dance, are also regularly created for (and with) our dancers. Students also have the opportunity to stage their own choreography in our Student Choreography Showcase performances. Our alumni are successful and have gone on to a wide range of achievements. Many of our graduates are currently dancing professionally, completing graduate work and/or working as dance teachers and administrators in colleges, universities and other educational and professional organizations. The USC Dance Program has a history of excellence outside of the collegiate academic sphere, as well. The University is proud to sponsor the USC Dance Conservatory, a community program that trains young dancers after school. This community outreach program also serves our university dance students, many of whom gain valuable experiences as instructors. We are also proud to be the host institution for SC Summer Dance Conservatory, a three-week intensive for pre-professional dancers aged 11 and older. Other programs the department regularly hosts include the Southeastern Regionals of the Youth America Grand Prix and the South Carolina Festival of Dance.