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.

I’m also a minor!

Four-year degree plan

Video

credits required for the Dance major

students enrolled in the Dance major

students per class on average in the Dance program

%

of master's degree can be completed as an undergrad 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

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

NOAH ADAMS

Creative Arts Events Manager, Theatre/Dance
adamsn@wou.edu

JEB BURRIS

NTT Visiting Assistant Professor, Theatre/Dance
burrisj@wou.edu

MARITA CARDINAL

Professor, Health & Exercise Science
503-838-8023 | cardinm@wou.edu | RWEC 243

CORRIE COWART

NTT Assistant Professor, Theatre/Dance
503-838-8628 | cowartc@wou.edu | OPE 207

TIM COWART

Coordinator of the Dance Program, Theatre/Dance
503-838-8243 | cowartt@wou.edu | OPE 211

RAISSA FLEMING

NTT Lecturer, Theatre/Dance
flemingr@wou.edu

CYNTHIA GARNER

NTT Assistant Professor, Theatre/Dance
503-838-9513 | garnerc@wou.edu | OPE 210

AMY MCDONNELL

NTT Assistant Professor, Theatre/Dance
503-838-8827 | mcdonnella@wou.edu | OPE 207

NICOLE MORGAN

Program and Facilities Coordinator, Theatre/Dance
morgann@wou.edu

DARRYL THOMAS

Professor, Theatre/Dance
503-838-8375 | thomasd@wou.edu | MH

LESLIE WATANABE

NTT Assistant Professor, Theatre/Dance
503-838-8263 | watanabel@wou.edu | OPE 208

RYAN WRIGHT

Technical Director, Theatre/Dance/Adjunct Lecturer, Theatre/Dance
503-838-8861 | wrightr@wou.edu | RA 112A

This public directory does not include employees who have requested confidentiality. Please use the WOU internal directory to view all employees.

QUESTIONS - Dance

Contact Us

Phone: 503-838-8461

Email: janovid@wou.edu

Location: Rice Auditorium (RA 105)

Box Office Phone: 503-838-8462

Department website

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Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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