Dance Department of VCU

- Dance and Choreography Bldg, 1315 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23220

For aspiring dancers and choreographers in Virginia, the Dance Department of VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) in Richmond represents a top-tier destination for pre-professional training. As a vital and energetic department within the nationally-ranked VCU School of the Arts, it has an established reputation for excellence in the field. This is not just a place to learn to dance; it's a community designed to prepare students for the full demands and challenges of a career as an informed and engaged artist. The department's mission is to cultivate innovation, communication, collaboration, and self-motivation, providing a rigorous and invigorating educational environment. Whether a student's goal is to perform on a professional stage, create groundbreaking choreography, teach the next generation of dancers, or pursue a career in arts administration, the VCU Dance Department offers a comprehensive curriculum to help them succeed. The program's focus on a pre-professional model means students get a realistic and challenging education that prepares them for a variety of paths within the dance world.

The faculty at VCU Dance are professionally active, and the department boasts a diverse guest artist program, providing students with constant exposure to the current and evolving landscape of dance. This high level of student-faculty interaction is a key feature of the program, ensuring that students receive the personal attention and mentorship necessary for individual artistic growth. The department’s facilities are designed to support a robust curriculum, with multiple studios and a dedicated performance theater. As an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), VCU Dance offers a quality of education that is recognized nationally. The program’s reputation for having a strong emphasis on choreography has been highlighted in national rankings, making it a compelling choice for those with a creative vision.

The Dance Department of VCU is located in the Dance and Choreography Building at 1315 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23220, USA. This location places it right in the heart of VCU's dynamic Monroe Park Campus, making it an integrated part of the university's vibrant urban environment. Richmond itself is a thriving arts and cultural hub, and the department's location allows students to be a part of this larger creative scene. The department also uses other campus facilities, including the VCU Dance Center at 10 N Brunswick St and the Grace Street Theater, its primary performance venue. The strategic placement of the department ensures easy access for students and visitors alike.

The department and its facilities are committed to accessibility, ensuring that all students can pursue their passion for dance. The campus has a number of accessible features to accommodate students with mobility needs.

The accessibility features include:

• Wheelchair-accessible car park

This commitment to accessibility helps to make VCU Dance an inclusive and welcoming place for all prospective students. The proximity of the Dance and Choreography Building to the campus's central areas and other resources further enhances the student experience, allowing for seamless integration into the wider VCU community. This convenient location in Richmond's arts district is a major advantage for students seeking a professional and academically rigorous program in Virginia.

The VCU Dance Department offers a comprehensive suite of academic and professional services to its students. The curriculum is designed to be well-rounded, combining rigorous physical training with intellectual inquiry. Students are not only taught how to move but also how to think about and discuss dance as an art form with historical and social context. The department's focus on a pre-professional model means that students have numerous opportunities to gain real-world experience, preparing them for the demands of a professional career.

The services and academic programs offered include:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance and Choreography, a pre-professional program with a focus on rigorous training.
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Dance, which allows students to pursue a second major or minor.
• Minors in Dance and Choreography.
• A variety of technique classes, including modern, ballet, jazz, tap, West African dance, and hip-hop.
• Academic courses in dance history, music, anatomy, and dance science.
• Electives in areas like video choreography, contact improvisation, and children's pedagogy.
• Performance and Choreography opportunities through regular student productions and senior projects.
• A unique collaboration with the Richmond Ballet, allowing students in a specific BFA concentration to receive VCU credit for their trainee work.

The curriculum provides a strong foundation for a variety of careers, from performance and choreography to teaching, arts administration, and dance therapy. The department's commitment to offering a flexible and diverse range of courses ensures that students can tailor their education to their specific artistic goals.

The Dance Department of VCU is a standout choice for aspiring dancers in Virginia, and its reputation is built on a number of key features and highlights. The program's blend of intense training and a supportive, collaborative community sets it apart from other institutions. The department's facilities and faculty are designed to provide a high-caliber educational experience that is both challenging and inspiring.

Key features and highlights of the department include:

• Pre-Professional Focus: The program's main objective is to prepare students for a career in dance, whether as a performer, choreographer, or in another professional capacity. This focus ensures the curriculum and training are directly applicable to the real world.
• Nationally Recognized: The VCU School of the Arts is ranked among the top in the country, and the Dance Department has specifically been recognized in national rankings for its excellence in choreography.
• Access to Professional Companies: The unique partnership with the Richmond Ballet offers students a direct link to a professional company, providing invaluable training and experience that can lead to a professional career.
• Student-Centered Environment: The department emphasizes a high level of student-faculty interaction, with professors who are professionally active and dedicated to student success. The department's community-oriented approach fosters communication, mutual respect, and self-motivation among students.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Students benefit from eight dance studios with floor-to-ceiling windows and a fully-staffed theater specifically designed for dance, providing excellent spaces for rehearsal, creation, and performance.
• Diverse Curriculum: The curriculum includes a wide range of dance forms and theoretical courses, such as dance history and kinesiology, which prepares students to be well-rounded and engaged artists.

These highlights demonstrate that VCU Dance is not only a place to learn technique but also a place to mature as an artist and thinker, prepared for the challenges of a professional career.

For more information about the programs, admissions, or to schedule a visit, you can contact the Dance Department of VCU at the following information:

• Address: Dance and Choreography Bldg, 1315 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23220, USA
• Phone: (804) 828-1711

These contact details provide a direct line to the department, where prospective students can get their questions answered and learn more about the application process.

What is truly worth choosing about the Dance Department of VCU is its unwavering commitment to producing a new generation of creative and professional dance artists. For a young person in Virginia with a serious passion for dance, this program provides an unparalleled blend of rigorous technical training and a robust academic curriculum. The pre-professional focus is a game-changer, as it ensures that every aspect of the education is geared toward preparing students for a professional career. The department’s national reputation and its collaborative spirit mean students are learning from the best and have opportunities to work with accomplished artists and peers. The unique partnership with the Richmond Ballet is an exceptional resource, offering a direct pathway from a university program to a professional company. This kind of real-world exposure is what sets VCU Dance apart from other institutions. For a student seeking a challenging and supportive environment where they can not only perfect their craft but also develop their voice as an artist, VCU Dance is an outstanding choice. The comprehensive approach to education, combined with the vibrant arts community of Richmond, makes this program an ideal place to begin a successful career in dance.

Dance Department of VCU

Dance and Choreography Bldg, 1315 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23220, USA