dance
WOU’s Dance program gives you the chance to evolve your performance skills. Learn how to be more creative while also achieving technical expertise. Explore the history of dance and how its roots affect professional practice today. Our experienced faculty will support you in applying your dance skills while gaining the theoretical knowledge that can serve as the foundation for your future in teaching, further study or opportunities as a professional in the performing arts.
credits required for the Dance major
students enrolled in the Dance major
students per class on average in the Dance program
%
of students are assigned multiple advisers devoted to guiding them through their four years at WOU
Sample four-year degree plan
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate strong technical skills in a variety of dance idioms and vocabulary, as well as a working understanding of body structure, conditioning and wellness
- Demonstrate a significant body of theoretical and historical knowledge pertaining to the dance field
- Produce scholarly/creative projects, solve professional problems independently, and demonstrate a well-developed intellectual/aesthetic focus
Career opportunities
- Resident/guest choreographer
- Tour management
- Professional dancer
- Artistic director (dance company, festival)
- Dance critic
- Studio Teacher/Owner
Related majors
Dance minor
The WOU Dance minor program is robust; students have the opportunity to explore a wide range of dance offerings that can improve their skills. In addition to technique courses, students choose from electives that include Creative Dance for Children, Drumming for Dancers and Rhythmic Awareness.
credits required for the Dance minor
Faculty
MARITA CARDINAL
Professor, Health & Exercise Science
503-838-8023 | cardinm@wou.edu | RWEC 243
CORRIE COWART
NTT Assistant Professor, Theatre/Dance
503-838-8628 | coartdance@netscape.net | CH 006
TIM COWART
Associate Professor, Theatre/Dance
503-838-8243 | cowartt@wou.edu | OPE 211
TED DECHATELET
NTT Assistant Professor, Theatre/Dance
503-838-8879 | dechatet@wou.edu | RA 103
CYNTHIA GARNER
NTT Assistant Professor, Theatre/Dance
503-838-9513 | garnerc@wou.edu | OPE 210
SCOTT GRIM
Professor, Theatre/Dance
503-838-8417 | grims@wou.edu | RA 106
SANDRA HEDGEPETH
Associate Professor, Deptartment Head, Theatre/Dance
503-838-8739 | hedgepes@wou.edu | RA 107
DAVID JANOWIAK
Professor, Division Chair, Theatre/Dance
503-838-8593 | janovid@wou.edu | RA 101
AMY MCDONNELL
NTT Assistant Professor, Theatre/Dance
503-838-8827 | mcdonnella@wou.edu | OPE 207
MICHAEL PHILLIPS
Professor, Theatre/Dance
503-838-8433 | phillipm@wou.edu | RA 104
DARRYL THOMAS
Professor, Theatre/Dance
503-838-8375 | thomasd@wou.edu | MH
JESSICA WALLENFELS
NTT Visiting Assistant Professor, Theatre/Dance
wallenfelsj@wou.edu
LESLIE WATANABE
NTT Assistant Professor, Theatre/Dance
503-838-8263 | watanabel@wou.edu | OPE 208
RYAN WRIGHT
Technical Director, Theatre/Dance, Theatre/Dance
503-838-8861 | wrightr@wou.edu | RA 112A
QUESTIONS - Dance
Contact Us
Phone: 503-838-8461
Email: janovid@wou.edu
Location: Rice Auditorium (RA 105)
Box Office Phone: 503-838-8462