What you will study
The University of Central Missouri’s expansive Dance program curriculum includes courses
in the technical proficiency of dance, as well as the cultural, stylistic and historical
dimensions of dance and choreography.
As a Dance minor at UCM, you’ll also develop the necessary critical thinking, improvisational
and compositional skill set to create your own dance performances and evaluate the
quality and aesthetics of the artform.
Program courses include:
- Musical Theatre Dance
- Modern Dance
- Tap Dance
- Jazz Dance
- Professional Practices
- Dance Appreciation
- Choreography I
Excellence in Dance
- UCM's 2018 and 2020 dance concerts were invited to perform at the Region V Kennedy
Center American College Theatre Festival. The company received regional and national
meritorious achievement recognition for choreography and movement for both productions.
- Top 15%: Most Popular Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts (College Factual, 2022)
Unique learning opportunities in the Dance minor
At the University of Central Missouri, we pride ourselves on getting you involved
in real-world learning scenarios and providing you with the best dance facilities
to work on your craft. Make the most of these benefits for Dance minors with exciting
learning opportunities:
- Choreography: Develop your own choreographed performances to be performed on our main stage during
one of UCM’s Spring Dance concerts, Black Box programs or other occasions.
- Regional dance festivals: Attend American College Dance Association events with your classmates and take courses
from renowned dance professors and performance professionals in the region.
- Dance studios: Practice and develop your dance techniques, improvisation and compositional skills
in our state-of-the-art dance studios. Dance minors enjoy access to our main studio,
along with three additional studios at UCM’s student recreation center.
- Guest workshops: Hone your skills with the help of visiting artist workshops and master classes. We
invite some of the best regional and national dance professionals to visit our Warrensburg
campus.
What can you do with a minor in Dance from UCM?
UCM’s Dance minor pairs well with dozens of major degree programs, so the outcomes
are highly personalized. Many UCM graduates pursue careers in education or theatre
performance and production, but the possibilities and benefits of studying dance are
seemingly endless.
For example, combine a Dance minor with Education to teach in a high school and lead
the school dance team. Pair the Dance minor with Nutrition, Fitness or Physical Education to work as a PE teacher or dance instructor in middle schools, high schools or private
dance institutions.
Theatre performance and production professionals need a diverse skill set as well
as experience in dance, choreography and design. Our Dance minor will complement your
undergraduate degree program and give you the skills to work in theatre-centered positions
— as well as jobs throughout the entertainment industry.
What comes after you graduate with your Dance minor?
Use the tool below to explore career paths in dance. You’ll also learn more about
salary potential, job outlooks and other career data for dance professionals.
Financial assistance options for your minor in Dance
The University of Central Missouri provides you with a variety of resources to make
your college education more affordable. In fact, over 90% of our undergraduates receive
some kind of financial aid. Our financial advisors will help you choose from scholarships,
grants, loans and work-study programs.
UCM offers a wide range of scholarships for freshmen, transfer students, out-of-state
students and continuing students. Dance minors can also apply for scholarships reserved
for students in our Theatre and Dance programs, including:
- Department of Theatre and Dance Scholarship Fund
- Theatre and Dance Ambassador Scholarships
You may also qualify for scholarships through your major program of study. Learn more
about program-specific scholarships using the .
Meet Ashley Miller-Scully
Musical Theatre Program Coordinator
Mrs. Miller-Scully joined the UCM faculty in 2009. Since then, she’s assisted her
colleagues in the development of our BFA and Dance minor programs. She choreographs
all of UCM’s mainstage musicals and serves as the artistic director of the Spring
Dance Concerts. You’ll benefit from her vast choreography experience and teaching
expertise.
Meet Alley P.
BSE Speech Communication and Theatre Major, Dance Minor ’20
“I am now creating a dance course for the Webster Groves school district. The class
will serve as an elective for either fine arts or PE. I have used the skills I learned
through my Dance minor program coursework to develop this new curriculum that aligns
with MO DESE standards. Because of my minor in Dance, dance is now finding its way
into our public schools.”
Meet Francois Des Marteau
Dance Instructor
Mr. Des Marteau trained at SUNY Purchase Conservatory and under Kasuko Hirayabashi,
Richard Cook, Megan Williams and Stephanie Tooman. Beginning ballet, tap, jazz and
modern dance students can gain perspective and real-world insight from Mr. Des Marteau’s
breadth and depth of experience in competitive dance, choreography and international
performance.
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Professional Organizations and Student Groups
● Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF)
● American College Dance Association (ACDA)
● Speech and Theatre Association of Missouri (STAM)
● United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT)
● Southeast Theatre Conference (SETC)
● U/RTA Auditions and Portfolio Reviews
●Theta Alpha Phi (TAP - Honorary Theatre Fraternity)
● National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA)
● UCM Dance Club
● Film Makers And Actors' Coalition
Theatre Learning Community
The Theatre Learning Community in Nickerson Hall is designed for students minoring
or majoring in Theatre. This designated living community provides close proximity
to the department’s Black Box Theatre, a lounge to rehearse lines and blocking, a
fully equipped dance studio and access to dining facilities.
Performance Opportunities
● UCM Main Stage Production Program
● Spring Dance Concert
● Dance Class Showcase - end of each semester
● Studio Theatre One-Act Series
● Richard Herman Black Box Theatre Program
● UCM Dance Club
● Dancing With The Professors
● Opera Theatre
