Dance Program, CSU Fullerton

dance majors many opportunities that will enrich their development into performing artists. The curriculum combines practical training in technique, aesthetics, and critical thinking. An intensive training in Modern Dance, Ballet, and Jazz is complemented by improvisation, composition, dance history, kinesiology, pedagogy, and extensive performance experience. In this way, the graduating student is prepared technically and creatively to work as a dance artist from the studio to the stage. This is an exciting time for us here at the CSU Fullerton Dance Program as our students, faculty and alumni are receiving more and more recognition. We continue to explore new endeavors that will contribute to the tradition of excellence among the performing arts here at Fullerton. The department has moved into its beautiful new home in January 2006. The Joseph Clayes, III Performing Arts Building brings us four new dance studios and three new performing spaces. Along with our professional dance faculty, we expose our students to some of the great figures of American Dance through our Guest Artist Series. Our young dancers are able to receive guidance and inspiration from performers from companies such as Baryshnikov's White Oak Project, Alvin Ailey Dance Company, Erick Hawkins Dance Company, Martha Graham Company, Merce Cunningham, Lar Lubovitch, Meredith Monk, Netherlands Dance Theatre, Frankfurt Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre, as well as master teachers such as Donald Mckayle and Stanley Holden. We are constantly expanding this important component of our program. A new exciting addition to the performance opportunities available to our dance majors is the Dance Repertory and Performance. This select group of students gains invaluable experience working with guest choreographers. The Dance Repertory Performance coursework broadens the students understanding of the history, theory and practice of concert dance performance. Participation in the performances furthers the dancer's skills by participating in both historic and contemporary choreographic works. Guest artists work closely with the students, coaching and directing them in the rehearsal process. The program will assist the students to build performance skills, deepening their understanding of a performer's attention and intention on stage. The students will learn repertory from various artists, which will bring them closer to finding their own place in the dance world today. The dancers perform the choreography both on and off campus to a variety of audiences. Such performances further prepare the student for a professional performance career as a dance artist.