Dance Major

Develop your skills in creativity, teamwork and critical thinking.

Dance helps you build the confidence necessary for life after college. You'll also learn self-discipline and improve your physical health. Whether you pursue a career in performance or discover other interests, the skills you learn will help you find success.

Why study dance at the College of Charleston?

You'll join a community that's formed in the classroom, in the studio and through our CofC Stages productions. You'll study in small classroom settings. You'll also create performances for our production seasons. You'll gain valuable skills and experience all aspects of theatre and dance—both onstage and off.

What will I learn?

With coursework in both theory and technique, you'll learn a wide range of dance styles. You can pursue more focused training through the performance/choreography concentration. Coursework allows students to gain skills in creativity, leadership, adaptability and communication. Beyond the foundations in ballet and modern dance, students can take classes in areas such as:
  • tap.
  • jazz.
  • non-western dance.
  • kinesiology.
  • history.
  • contact improvisation.

View Curriculum: Dance

Program Highlights

Dance provides you with the skills necessary to communicate with an audience. Here, you'll work with esteemed faculty and guest artists each semester. You'll have the opportunity to choreograph your own work in a dance concert each spring. Student work has been presented and awarded at the American College Dance Association (ACDA).

Careers & Outcomes

You'll gain a strong set of skills that apply to many careers. With the knowledge and foundations formed here, you can even apply your skill set to careers outside of the performing arts. You may pursue work in science, therapy, marketing, communication and many other paths. Recent graduates have become:
  • performers.
  • teachers.
  • choreographers.
  • dance filmmakers.
  • studio owners.

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Choreograph your own path

Finding purpose through education isn't always an easy process. Jayne Pardys '21 began to think about how dance and anthropology interconnect. Then her path, once clouded and unclear, began to take shape in a new light.

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About the minor

A minor in dance is perfect for you if you are interested in the creative arts, in communication or in cultural expressions.

View Curriculum: Dance Minor