Department of Dance

Dance Faculty

Associate Professor

Jinyoung Lee Hanley, M.A.

Artist in Residence

Eileen Hebron, B.A.

Statement of Purpose

The mission of the Department of Dance is to develop dancers whose creative expression combines artistry and technical excellence within a community of integrated Christian values. Graduates are expected to demonstrate a mastery of a variety of dance techniques, display articulate verbal and non-verbal communication, synthesize historical and cultural perspectives, and perform with a unique artistic voice. The successful student combines these competencies to create, perform, and teach dance in a professional manner.

Programs of Study

The Department of Dance offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, a Bachelor of Arts degree, and minor in dance in a creative and Christ-centered environment. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is a professional degree focusing on intensive work in dance, supported by a program in general studies and is intended to prepare students for a professional career in dance. The Bachelor of Arts degree is intended for those students who seek a thorough grounding in dance, including opportunities for performance experience, within the traditional liberal arts program. The B.A. in dance offers concentrations in dance studies, dance pedagogy, and dance ministry. The department also offers a minor in dance. Unless specified in the course description, all courses offered in the Department of Dance are open to qualified students regardless of their major. Some applied dance courses and ensembles require an audition or instructor permission. Students are encouraged to consult a dance advisor for information about specific course offerings and registration.

Admission Requirements

In addition to PBAU application procedures, prospective students seeking to major in dance must submit an application for acceptance as a dance major via Acceptd and complete a dance audition. Application materials must include:

A letter of recommendation from a high school dance teacher or other dance professional familiar with your work and character
An essay describing why you want to pursue dance as a major. Consider goals in college and beyond (one page, single-spaced – 500 words max.)
A one-page resume including dance trainings, performance experiences, achievements and awards, skills, and academic GPA
A head shot
A full-body dance shot
A solo video (1-2 minutes, any style/genre)

Acceptance for study as a dance major is based on review of the applicant’s technical proficiency, character, and alignment with the department’s mission.

Application materials should be received and auditions completed at least six weeks before the student’s first term as a dance major to ensure optimal course placement.

Auditions

The Department of Dance holds several auditions throughout the year. Virtual auditions are available for students unable to attend in person. All students will be assessed for dance scholarships, degree and concentration options, and appropriate technique course levels. The audition includes:

Group ballet class
Group modern dance class
Presentation of solo (1-2 minutes, any style/genre)
Individual interview with faculty members

Scholarship Information

In addition to other PBA scholarships, dance scholarships are awarded to highly-talented dance students. Dancers are considered for this scholarship during their dance audition. Students who accept these grants-in-aid must fulfill the following criteria:

Enrollment as a full-time student pursuing a major in the Department of Dance
Maintain a 3.0 overall grade point average for all courses taken at Palm Beach Atlantic University
Enrollment each semester in Dance Ensemble
Participate in the Student Choreography Showcase each semester
The award may not exceed nine (9) semesters for first-term college students and up to seven (7) semesters for transfer students.
Abide by PBA’s Core Values as outlined in the Navigator

For further information, please review the Dance Department Handbook.

Review of Satisfactory Progress

All dance majors will have their progress reviewed annually by the dance faculty. The students will receive feedback on their growth, areas for improvement, and satisfaction of program requirements. For further information, please review the Dance Department Handbook.

Residency Requirement

All dance majors must complete a minimum of two years in full-time residence at PBA, including their senior year. Transfer students will not be admitted beyond the first semester of their junior year. Dance technique credits transferred from another institution toward a major or minor may not exceed ten (10) credit hours for B.F.A. students and seven (7) credit hours for B.A. students. Majors may not use transient study to fulfill courses in the Dance Core or Major Requirements and Electives.

Dance Productions

The Department of Dance presents at least two fully-produced dance concerts and several student showcases each academic year. Productions range from classical to contemporary in nature and give the student an opportunity to work in various dance genres. Participation in productions requires an audition and is open to all PBA students regardless of major. Dance majors are required to participate in productions, which may include Dance Ensemble Concerts, Senior Dance Concerts, Student Choreography Showcases, and other dance concerts pre-approved by the Chair of the Department. At a minimum, all majors must participate in:

For B.F.A. Students:

Two performances as a dancer
Two performances created as a choreographer (which may include the audition for Student Choreography Showcase)

For B.A. Students:

One performance as a dancer
One performance created as a choreographer (which may include the audition for Student Choreography Showcase)

Backstage Requirements

Students will gain production experience and skills by working as backstage crew and production assistants in the following courses, which are required for all dance majors:

DAN 1113 Dance Production
DAN 3473 Creative Dance Practices I
DAN 4473 Creative Dance Practices II
DAN 4121 Senior Project

It is recommended that students take only one of these courses per semester. All dance majors are required to complete a minimum of two backstage and/or production assistant assignments per academic year. Additionally, it is the responsibility of the student to track and record their participation and involvement for submission in their annual student evaluation. Examples of tasks include, but are not limited to:

Load-in and strikes
Programing of the performances
Coordinating music
Creating a master cue sheet
Sign-in and Sign-out
Stage manager
Backstage crew

Concert Attendance Requirements

All dance majors are required to attend at least eight (8) performances each year of full-time enrollment (a total of 32 over the course of the four-year degree, and pro-rated for transfer students and students graduating midyear). Attendance at off campus concerts in professional arts venues are encouraged to be used to meet a portion of the annual requirement but must be approved by the student’s advisor. For further information, please review the Dance Department Handbook.

Dance Ensemble Requirements

The dance department is committed to ensemble performance as a primary means of instruction in dance. All dance majors must earn a minimum requirement (as stated below) in DAN 1501 - Dance Ensemble or DAN 3501 - Dance Ensemble while enrolled at PBA.

For B.F.A. Students: Every semester (one excused semester may be allowed with prior approval from the department chair)

For B.A. Students: Two semesters

Dance Ensemble Intensive Attendance

All returning dance students enrolled in DAN 1501/3501 Dance Ensemble are required to attend the Dance Ensemble Intensive. PBA Dance Ensemble Intensive is generally held the week before the fall semester begins.

Senior Graduation Project

All B.F.A. students are required to present a senior dance concert as part of their senior graduation project. B.A. students may complete their senior project in other ways. The content and type of the project will be tailored to the individual student’s needs and interests. Students must register for DAN 4120 - Senior Graduation Project after the professor has approved the student’s graduation project. Please consult with the professor of this course at least two semesters prior to graduation.

Dancers’ Seminar

Dance students and faculty gather for one hour a week to relay and discuss pertinent information about the program and the current state of dance in culture and society. Students share their choreographic works-in-progress and receive critical feedback from classmates and faculty. Auditions for Student Choreography Showcase may be held during this class. All declared dance majors must take DAN 0110 - Dancers’ Seminar every semester. All declared dance minors must take the course every semester until they complete their minor requirements, including semesters without dance course enrollment.