Belhaven University

What you'll study

The programme blends daily technique classes with coursework in choreography, dance history and performance practice. Core studio work typically includes ballet, modern/contemporary, jazz and tap technique, along with improvisation, composition and repertory rehearsals. Academic courses complement practice with studies in anatomy for dancers, music for movement, dance pedagogy and aesthetic/theoretical approaches to dance.

Students follow a curriculum that integrates major requirements with general education courses in the humanities, social sciences and Bible/theology reflective of Belhaven's Christian identity. Performance and production elements — such as ensemble participation, staged concerts, choreography showcases and experiential internships — form a central part of the degree, giving hands-on experience in rehearsal processes, stagecraft and collaborative creation.

• Technique: ballet, modern/contemporary, jazz and tap
• Creative practice: choreography, improvisation and composition
• Theory and context: dance history, criticism and aesthetics
• Supporting studies: anatomy for movement, music for dancers and pedagogy
• Practical experience: performance ensembles, production practicum and internships

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a high-school diploma or equivalent and supply academic transcripts as part of the admissions process. Prospective dance majors are required to audition to demonstrate technical skill, performance quality and artistic potential; the audition may include prepared variation, technique class and/or short choreography. Some applicants may also be asked to provide a performance or choreography portfolio and participate in an interview with faculty.

Belhaven considers the whole applicant, including academic readiness, artistic promise and fit with the university's Christian mission. Transfer students are welcome and will have prior coursework evaluated for transfer credit; placement auditions help determine appropriate technique class levels.

Career prospects

Graduates leave prepared for a range of roles in the performing arts. Typical career paths include professional performer in concert, musical theatre or commercial dance; choreographer and dance creator for stage or media; dance educator in studio or school settings; rehearsal director or company manager; and arts administrator within theatres, companies and community arts organisations.

Many students also pursue further training or graduate study in performance, choreography, arts management or specialised fields such as dance education. The degree's combination of practical experience, pedagogy and liberal arts coursework also supports careers beyond performance, including teaching, community arts programming and roles that require strong teamwork, communication and creative leadership.

Why study at Belhaven University

Belhaven offers a close-knit learning environment with small class sizes and faculty who have active professional experience in dance and theatre. The programme emphasises both technical excellence and artistic development within a Christian liberal arts context, encouraging students to explore the intersections of faith and creative practice.

Students benefit from regular performance opportunities, collaborative projects across performing-arts disciplines and connections to the regional arts community for internships and outreach. The curriculum's balance of studio training, academic study and production experience aims to prepare graduates for immediate entry into the field or for continued study at the graduate level.