About

  • Performance of Lew Christensen's "Con Amore"

    The Great Works Dance Project introduces WMU’s students audiences to the finest world-class historic and contemporary dance works.

  • Student works on Dance for Camera project

    Students participate in faculty creative, technology, and scholarly research projects.

  • Frank Chaves works with student in the setting of "Temporal Trance"

    Each year students connect with leading professionals in choreography and performance through residencies and masterclasses.

  • Performance of Lauren Edson's "Foreground"

    The National Choreography Competition commissions rising choreographers to create a premiere work for WMU Dancers.

  • Dancers exhibit training in Jazz, Ballet, and Modern dance

    WMU Dance emphasizes equal training in modern, ballet, and jazz.

  • Explore All Forms

    Explore and study ballet, jazz, and modern technique to the advanced level.

    Find Your Program

  • Student works on Dance for Camera project

    Students participate in faculty creative, technology, and scholarly research projects.

  • Guest artist, Frank Chaves, teaches 2 WMU dancers in rehearsal.

    Connect with Professionals

    Learn from today's leading professionals through guest artist residencies.

    Meet the Artists

  • Foreground premiere performance

    Choreography by Lauren Edson - Performed in 2012

Western Michigan University is one of 80 institutions accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance. Housed in the beautiful Dalton Center, the Department of Dance is dedicated to serving undergraduate students. The Department of Dance has 120 students pursuing B.A. and B.F.A. dance degrees and 55 students pursuing a dance minor. The department also provides dance training for the music theatre majors.

Distinctive features of the department include an equal emphasis on training in ballet, jazz, and modern dance, as well as the Great Works Dance Project and the National Choreography Competition.

There are numerous performance opportunities such as being a member of a student dance company. The department is committed to providing professional immersion experiences that will help students make a smooth transition from student to dance professional. Students also have the opportunity to work with dance faculty on creative and scholarly research projectswhich often lead to regional and national presentations.

NASD Contact Information

National Association of Schools of Dance
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, VA 20190-5248
703-437-0700 Phone