Reflections on a University Dance Program
Apr. 22, 2006, by Dane Laverty
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What is the significance of credentials?
My father-in-law is an educational theorist (among other things). When I last visited him, he expressed his disgust with the national obsession for credentials in the job market. He gave the example of an organization where he worked, which could not hire the most qualified applicant because the man lacked some requisite certification.
In one week, I will be granted my Bachelor of Arts as a graduating student from the college dance department of Brigham Young University. I will receive a degree in dance―modern dance, to be precise.
The benefits of a university dance education
I entered BYU’s dance program as a complete novice. Aside from a brief enrollment at the local dance studio as a child (mandated by my mom), I had no background in dance. Since everything I know about dance comes from my experience here, I think I am a fair representation of a university educate.
My father-in-law’s comments caused me to reflect on just what that means. What does a university education give that cannot be found in a dance studio or dance company? I concluded that a university dance graduate has two advantages over a studio dancer.
Understanding the body
First is a deeper understanding of the body. Anatomy and kinesiology help students understand safe and healthy body practices.
Applying dance to life
Second, the university dance program addresses dance from many perspectives, not just performance. These perspectives include dance in education, therapy, society, personal expression, creativity, research, and health. This approach develops balanced individuals who can connect dance to the real world.
BYU's modern dance program
Let me describe the university dance program and my experience in it. The modern dance curriculum here focuses especially on technique, the classes where you actually dance. Eleven classes of technique enrollment are required (seven modern, three ballet, and one jazz). Since I had no real dance experience, this was very good for me. You can’t learn dance from a book―you just have to do it.
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