Dance Program
"When I'm asked why I chose to be a part of the WFU dance program, my mind automatically transformed it into "Why did you come to Wake?" I chose this university largely due to the dance program, which captured me when I visited with its passionate and talented participants. I could not see myself dancing anywhere else."
-Jasmyn Eichelsdorfer ('15)
The Dance Program at Wake Forest offers a wide range of dance classes—from beginning classical ballet, modern, jazz, and social dance to advanced technique classes. Students may minor in dance and more experienced dancers are invited to audition for the Wake Forest Dance Company. The talent and commitment of our dancers as well as the rich and varied background of our faculty members have earned the program a reputation for quality. Guest artists, choreographers and professional performing companies also have en-riched the dance experience at Wake Forest. Beginners and students not interested in performing are invited to be part of the program by registering for one of the dance courses offered.
The University offers a Dance Minor in the Department of Theatre & Dance
Students have the option of declaring a dance minor once they have officially declared their major in the College, this typically takes place in the spring of the sophomore year. Having a minor in dance is not a requirement to participate in the Dance Company or upper level dance courses.
See the Dance Minor (DCE) page for information on courses for the Dance Minor.
Dance Company
The Wake Forest University Dance Company is comprised of students working in a semi-professional manner and produces two concerts per year, the Fall Faculty/Guest Artist Concert and the Spring Student Choreographic Concert. The company performs choreographic works by nationally renowned choreographers, Wake Forest faculty mem-bers and selected student works. Auditions are held at the beginning of the fall semester. Former company members are required to audi-tion each year. Each company member must be enrolled in one tech-nique class during the fall and spring semesters.
The Wake Forest University Dance Company is committed to providing exciting dance experiences for its students and audiences, and its repertoire includes works in all dance disciplines: jazz, modern and classical ballet. Through a variety of dance styles, it introduces its audience to the wonderful world of dance.
Visit the WFU Dance Company on Facebook!
Performance
Opportunities for performance are offered through the Wake Forest University Dance Company. This company, under the Artistic Direction of Nina Maria Lucas, is comprised of students working in a semi-professional manner, and is committed to providing exciting and challenging dance experiences for its audiences. Each year the Wake Forest University Dance Company stages two productions in the Mainstage Theater, Scales Fine Arts Center, the Fall Faculty/Guest Artist Concert and the Spring Student Choreographic Concert. Experienced students are encouraged to apply to the company through auditions held at the beginning of the Fall semester each year. The company performs works by nationally renowned choreographers, Wake Forest Faculty members and selected student works, and their repertoire includes Classical Ballet, Modern Dance and Jazz works. The Company delivers to a packed house of students, faculty, administrators and dance lovers from the community a performance characterized by high energy, grace, virtuosity, emotion and artistry.
The Fall Faculty/Guest Artist Concert gives students an opportunity to work with choreographers with a variety of styles and backgrounds. Guest artists are brought in from around the country to choreograph pieces for the dance company. The choreographers audition and rehearse the dancers throughout the semester. Having guest artists come to Wake Forest, gives students the chance to work with renowned choreographers with different styles of dance that the department may not offer. Faculty members also create their own original works for this concert, giving students the opportunity to work closely with Wake Forest’s faculty outside of regular technique classes.
The Spring Student Choreographed Concert allows the students to experiment with their own choreography and creativity. The performance tends to be filled with a wide variety of styles from classical ballet and modern to hip hop and funk. The student works are closely monitored by the faculty, which is available for support and guidance throughout the process. Students are responsible for casting their piece, conducting rehearsals and working with the costumier and lighting designers. The concert enables students to develop and understand the creative process of choreographing a work. Past student choreographers have found this concert to be extremely rewarding especially seeing how their ideas evolved throughout the semester concluding with the performance.
Divisional Courses – Division III
All students must complete courses in each of the five divisions of the undergraduate curriculum (unless exempted through procedures established by the departments concerned or by participation in the Open Curriculum). Together with the basic requirements these courses form the core of Wake Forest’s undergraduate liberal arts
education. The Dance program offers two courses that fulfill divisional requirements:
DCE 202 History of Dance
DCE 203 20th Century Modern Dance History
Dance Course Descriptions
Current Bulletin
See Dance Program Course Offerings
Introductory Dance Courses
The Dance Program also offers introductory level courses that are available as general electives. All courses with the exception of DCE 124 Social Dance also fulfill some of the dance minor requirements. The classes teach the fundamentals of dance technique and are traditionally focused towards those students with a limited dance experience.
DCE 101 Beginning Tap Dance (does not fulfill minor requirement) DCE 120 Beginning Modern Dance
DCE 124 Social Dance (does not fulfill minor requirement)
DCE 126 Beginning Jazz Dance
DCE 127 Beginning Classical Ballet
Presidential Scholarship Presidential Scholarships for Distinguished Achievement recognize up to 20 first-year students who demonstrate a solid academic background and extraordinary achievement in dance, music, art, theatre, writing for publication, debate, community service, leadership and entrepreneurship. These approximately half-tuition renewable scholarships are awarded on the basis of application and appropriate evidence of distinction.Though Presidential Scholars need not plan to pursue a major in the area of their talent, they are expected to participate actively in that activity on campus. Interested students must be prepared to present evidence of outstanding talent and are asked by the Presidential Scholarship Committee for documentation of that talent (such as portfolios, debate records, taped performances, published writings, etc.) and recommendations. The program, begun in 1987, further diversifies the interests and abilities of a campus and student body already rich in both. A separate Presidential Scholarship Application is due by December 1 of the senior year of high school.
Deadline is December 1st; a separate application is required. Contact the Office of Admissions for further application information.
Facilities
The Wake Forest Dance Program utilizes two studios located in Scales Fine Arts Center. Both studios are equipped with mirrors, sprung floors, pianos, sound systems, and video equipment. In 2010, the Dance Program was given a second, more spacious studio. Both studios are used for classes and rehearsals. The Wake Forest Dance Company performs twice yearly in the mainstage theatre.
Every dance class at Wake Forest is accompanied by one of our talented musicians.
Student Run Dance Organizations on Campus
Ballroom Dance Club and theTap Club