University of Hartford

What you'll study

The programme provides a balance of daily technique classes, repertory, composition and academic study. Core studio work covers classical ballet, modern techniques, contemporary movement, improvisation, partnering, and conditioning. Students study choreography and creative process, developing solo and ensemble works for public performance. Repertory courses give experience with historical and contemporary choreographers, while performance labs and company projects offer practical stage experience.

Academic components include dance history, music for dancers, anatomy and kinesiology for performers, pedagogy, and critical studies in performance theory. The curriculum typically combines conservatory coursework with University of Hartford general-education requirements, so students gain broader liberal‑arts skills such as writing, critical thinking, and contextual studies.

Pathways and electives let students deepen areas of interest—examples include advanced composition, dance film, community-engaged practice, somatic methods (e.g. Feldenkrais or Alexander technique), and arts management. Regular public performances, juries, and senior capstone projects (often a choreographic or repertory showcase) form part of the assessment structure.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a secondary-school diploma or equivalent and demonstrate prior dance training. Admission is by audition, which assesses technical level, musicality, performance quality and potential for growth; auditions may be held live or via a recorded video submission. Candidates should prepare a short solo or excerpts as requested by the programme and may be asked to participate in a class and an interview.

Support materials typically include an application form, academic transcripts, and a personal statement outlining artistic goals. Letters of recommendation from dance teachers or mentors strengthen an application. Some applicants pursue the BA route or combined liberal-arts options if they prefer a less performance‑intensive programme—check the Hartt School admissions guidance for specific portfolio and audition instructions.

Career prospects

Graduates follow a range of professional paths in performance and beyond. Common trajectories include work as company or freelance dancers in contemporary, ballet and commercial contexts; choreographers for stage, film and community projects; and rehearsal directors or artistic associates. With additional certification or graduate study, graduates can teach in schools, higher education or community settings.

Other career options draw on transferable skills from the degree: arts administration, production and stage management, dance therapy or movement-based wellness, choreography for media, and further study in performance research or allied fields such as physical therapy and somatics. The programme’s combination of studio training, repertory experience and academic work positions graduates for either immediate entry into the profession or further specialised training.

Why study at University of Hartford

The Hartt School offers conservatory-calibre training within a comprehensive university, so students benefit from intensive daily studio work alongside access to broader academic resources. Faculty are active practitioners—choreographers, teachers and performers—who bring current professional practices into the classroom and repertory.

Students have regular performance opportunities in dedicated studios and theatre spaces, collaborative projects with music and theatre peers, and access to cross-disciplinary courses across the university. The programme emphasises both technical excellence and creative development, preparing students for the diverse demands of contemporary dance careers while grounding them in historical and theoretical knowledge.

Prospective students value the close mentoring environment at Hartt, the opportunity to work with visiting artists, and the balance of conservatory focus with a liberal-arts foundation—features that support both professional readiness and long-term artistic growth.