The mission of Utah Valley University Department of Dance is to foster academic and artistic excellence through an intensive technical and reflective study of dance. Anchored in a common core curriculum with several areas of emphasis, our program provides a rich and stimulating environment where students cultivate their technical, aesthetic, creative, and scholarly potential. We value superior teaching, which promotes dance as an artistic and cultural expression that has the power to enrich and transform the individual, community, and society.
The Department of Dance offers three degrees, serving approximately 232 majors in four programs (Modern/Contemporary Dance, Ballet, Dance Education, and Ballroom Dance). A common core curriculum is shared by all programs that reinforces 21st century skills and knowledge in dance and transferable skills and dispositions.
UVU is an engaged teaching institution. Courses are taught by faculty with a focus on facilitating the growth and development of the pre-professional student. Dance major classes are generally small to provide personalized mentoring.
The Department of Dance resides within The Rebecca Lockhart Building and has six spacious studios. The Noorda Center for the Performing Arts provides students with two additional studios that transform into a 175 seat Dance Theatre. In addition, the department now presents its concert season in this new state-of-the-art facility.
Performance opportunities include fully produced formal concerts of eight performance companies as well as informal showings and performances of student and faculty works.
Nationally and internationally recognized guest teaching artists and choreographers are brought to campus yearly to mentor and work with students in all programs.
Performance scholarships are awarded on a yearly basis to outstanding students in the modern/contemporary, ballet, and ballroom programs.
Engaged learning is all about connecting students with professional organizations and opportunities which build bridges to better careers after graduation. Here at UVU, engaged learning is in our DNA. From bringing professional choreographers to campus, to regular collaborations with professional companies like the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Repertory Dance Theatre, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, dance students have multiple engaged learning opportunities each year. Learn more about engaged learning at The School of the Arts Department of Dance.
"At The UVU Department of Dance, we believe in the transformative power of movement. Our commitment to engaged learning opportunities ensures that our dancers not only master their craft but also gain real-world experience. Through rehearsals, performances, and workshops, our students develop a well-rounded understanding of dance, setting them up for success in a variety of professional settings. Our students gain practical skills that set them apart and give them an advantage when they graduate"
—Monica Campbell, Chair of The Department of Dance
Shane Walking Eagle (Sisseton Dakota)
Utah Valley University acknowledges that we gather on land sacred to all Indigenous people who came before us in this vast crossroads region. The University is committed to working in partnership—as enacted through education and community activities—with Utah’s Native Nations comprising: the San Juan Southern Paiute, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Uintah & Ouray Reservation of the Northern Ute, Skull Valley Goshute, Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation, Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute-White Mesa Community, and urban Indian communities. We recognize these Native Nations and their continued connections with traditional homelands, mountains, rivers, and lakes as well as their sovereign relationships with state and federal governments. We honor their collective memory and continued physical and spiritual presence. We revere their resilience and example in preserving their connections to the Creator and to all their relations, now and in the future.
With this statement comes responsibility and accountability. We resolve to follow up with actionable items to make The School of the Arts at UVU and The Noorda Center for the Performing Arts an inclusive, equitable, and just space for all. There is much work to be done, and we are committed to putting these words into practice.
Utah Valley University
Department of Dance, MS 233
800 W. University Parkway
Orem, Utah 84058
Office: (801) 863-8610, Fax: (801) 863-7130
Office Location: LA 022 , Hours: Mon – Fri 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Laural Hill, Administrative Assistant: (801) 863-8610, Laural.Hill@uvu.edu
