Training
•Associate in Arts built to prepare the serious dance student for university transfer and develop versatile dance artists through independent thinking, creative expression, and global citizenship
•60-unit degree includes a 33-unit area of emphasis: Dance History, a Ballet sequence (Intermediate 3A/3B through Advanced 4A/4B), a Contemporary Modern Dance sequence (Intermediate through Advanced), Dance Performance – Modern, World Dance Performance, and Improvisation and Composition 1
•Elective study spans 40+ dance courses, including jazz, hip hop, tap, ballet basics, and world styles such as Mexican, African, Brazilian, Flamenco, Salsa, and Asian Pacific/Middle Eastern-North African dance
Performance & Productions
•Students can join Synapse Contemporary Dance Theater or the Global Motion World Dance Company, both of which mount fully staged concerts with student choreographer opportunities
•Department offers master classes with guest artists, artist residencies, and national/international touring opportunities
Facilities
•Dance courses run out of the Core Performance Center's dedicated studios
Degree Flexibility
•Prepares graduates for performance, choreography, teaching, and related dance careers, with SMC articulation agreements supporting transfer to UC, CSU, and private institutions
