Program Overview

Dance Program

Overview

The Dance Program at Western Oregon University offers a comprehensive education in dance, with a focus on developing well-rounded dancers who are prepared for careers in dance or any field that requires creative thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation.

Degrees and Programs

• BA Degree in Dance: The curriculum is structured to develop knowledge, skills, understanding, and appreciation of dance as an art form.
• Minor in Dance: WOU students who are working toward a degree in another discipline can choose to add a minor in dance to continue their dance training and to be part of the dance community.

Concentrations

• Dance Choreography and Performance: The concentration in choreography and performance allows students to specialize their degree as performing artists.
• Dance Film and Technology: The concentration in Dance Film and Technology allows students to focus on the innovative ways dance utilizes technology to enhance performance.
• Dance Education and Studio Management: The concentration in Dance Education and Studio Management allows students to specialize their degree towards inspiring a new generation of dancers.

Faculty

• Darryl Thomas: Professor of Dance, Co-Artistic Director for Rainbow Dance Theatre
• Timothy Cowart: Associate Professor of Dance and Dance Program Coordinator
• Corrie Cowart: NTT Professor of Dance
• Les Watanabe: NTT Professor of Dance

Resources

• A Day in the Life of a Dance Major
• Common Q & A’s
• Dance Curriculum
• Student Handbook
• Dance Alumni
• Gallery of Student Videos
• Gallery of Performance Photos
• Dance Program Facilities
• Social Media Links
• Careers in Dance

Events and Performances

• Scholarship Audition Day
• Spring Dance Concert
• Jump Start Dance Concert
• Dance Out Day
• Fall Dance Concert
• Symposium for Dance Research and Applied Social Action
• Winter Screendance Concert
• American College Dance Association

Facilities

• Rice Auditorium
• Maple Hall Theatre

Land Acknowledgement

Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.