Dance, dance, dance
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The UI dance department is well-known for its diversity and active involvement in the arts community, and it is continually looking for new ways to improve its participants’ experiences.
Each year, students audition for admission to the program, and the most promising enter a program that supplies a quality dance education.
“Students are able to develop with courses in dance and theory, which allows for more critical thinking,” said Associate Professor Rebekah Kowal. “The curriculum is well-rounded, with excellent professors — each is a specialist in their own way.”
Onstage dance
The UI dance department produces an abundance of live performances each year, with more than a dozen productions during the 2008-09 season. These shows, much like the school itself, stress range and variety.
The annual Dance Gala is one of the most anticipated shows of the year — it combines the best costumes, set design, and dance talent for several nights of performances.
Devoted professors
The faculty’s dedication to its students is evident in how the program is designed to enrich the education of those passionate about dance. The consensus among many of the department’s professors believe it is paramount for undergraduate and graduate students to receive an exceptional liberal-arts education while honing their crafts from jazz to ballet, modern dance, and beyond.
“We believe that weaving the theory and practice of dance is essential to becoming dance artists who think creatively and relate their experiences and coursework outside of the dance department to their work in dance,” said Charlotte Adams, the undergraduate program director in the department.
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More to gain than moves
Ultimately, it is a sense of community and close interaction that is of the most benefit to dance students.
“You have most technique and other classes with the same people so you become really good friends,” undergraduate dance major Sara Karimi said. “There is just a network of opportunities and great support from your peers and also the faculty.”
What is the UI dance program’s most rewarding aspect?
“The faculty and students work together, creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and support that is apparent in the commitment of everyone to an environment of artistic excellence.” — undergraduate program director Charlotte Adams
“The depth of their dance education and how fluent they get as movers, writers, commentators — they get an in-depth experience.” — Associate Professor Rebekah Kowal
“Take advantage of the fact that you are in this community with all these other intelligent, fun people, and this is an experience that will affect the rest of your life.” — student Sara Karimi
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