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ApplyAbout | Academic Programs | Highlights | Career Opportunities | Student Organizations and Activities | Scholarships | Courses
About
Chair
Jennifer Pontius
Faculty
Dana Nicolay, Andrew Noble, Dionne Noble
Mission
The Department of Dance at Sam Houston State University delivers a dynamic, holistic, challenging experience that integrates creativity, performance and scholarly pursuits designed to prepare each student for a 21st century career in dance.
Contact Information
936.294.1875
dance@shsu.edu
Website
www.shsu.edu/academics/dance
Academic Programs
Highlights
All MFA candidates participate in a thorough and broadly based curriculum that prepares them across a wide range of skills and sensibilities. The curriculum has four major components 1) Theory and Analysis; 2) Production; 3) Studio practices; and 4) Creative process. Further, it is constructed to encourage the student to explore areas of interest beyond the specific discipline of dance that will inform and facilitate future artistic and scholarly investigations. The capstone thesis project requires the candidate to draw on all of his or her talents and education to produce a substantial and meaningful work of creative imagination.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Department of Dance are successfully employed around the nation and the state as:
- Dance Educators at all levels:
- University and Community College Professors
- Public High School Teachers
- Studio Owners and Teachers
- Performing Artists in Dance
- Artistic Directors of Dance Companies
- Performing Arts Presenters and Administrators
- Health Care Professionals including:
- Dance Therapists
- Massage Therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Chiropractors
- Physicians
Student Organizations and Activities
Chi Tau Epsilon, the prestigious national dance honor society, recognizes, supports, and promotes superior achievement in dance and in the performing arts. Membership in the society is recorded on the student’s transcript. Each year, Chi Tau Epsilon is an active student organization, sponsoring the student choreography showcase, Dances @ 8, conducting recruitment workshops for the dance program, and sponsoring community support activities including Adopt a Highway, food drives, and participation in the Special Olympics. Chi Tau Epsilon also awards annual scholarships for outstanding choreographic and academic achievement.
Scholarships
The Dance Program awards scholarships ranging from $500 to $ 2,000 per academic year. In addition, the Kelley Barber Award is given annually to a Dance major for outstanding performance and the Jonathan Charles Memorial Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding dance major who shows great strength across the full range of styles including jazz, tap, ballet and modern dance. Applications are available in the dance office.
Other scholarships are available to graduate students through the Office of Graduate Studies and the Office of the Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication. Please contact those offices for more information regarding these opportunities.
