Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance (Ballet)

  What is Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance (Ballet)?

"For dancing is the loftiest, the most moving, the most beautiful of the arts, because it is no mere translation or abstraction from life; it is life itself."  --Havelock Ellis

The dance major program at the UC College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is designed for the developing dance professional who seeks technical training and artistic stimulation through a rigorous academic and studio curriculum.  The Dance Division is a professional ballet school offering a bachelor of fine arts degree with an emphasis in ballet -- a successful union of academe and the performing arts.

  Success Factors

Dancers are artists disciplined in mind and body. They possess a strong, honest work ethic and strive to seek perfection in their art form. They are dedicated to the process of learning and understanding the human body -- physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually -- as the human body is their instrument for artistic expression.

  Career Possibilities

CCM alumni have performed as members of numerous professional companies, including: Atlanta Ballet, Austin Ballet, Ballet Omaha, Ballet Theatre of Maryland, Cincinnati Ballet, Dayton Ballet, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company I and II, Joffrey Ballet, Joyce Trisler Danscompany, Kentucky Ballet Theater, Louisville Ballet, Martha Graham Dance Company, Nashville Ballet, New York City Ballet, Ohio Ballet, Philadanco, Quad City Ballet, Tulsa Ballet II and Vienna Opera State Ballet. Other alumni serve as teachers and administrators in performing arts schools, university dance programs and professional company schools.

  Majoring in Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance (Ballet)

The former Conservatory of Music, one of CCM’s founding schools, was the first music school in the nation to offer a classical ballet degree program.  The Division of Dance continues to maintain the highest artistic standards with four dedicated full-time faculty and three adjuncts, who motivate and promote excellence among the gifted students in the collegiate program. Six to ten accompanists complement the training staff.

Dance majors have numerous opportunities to perform throughout the year. Ballet Ensemble features works by the Dance Division faculty and guest choreographers, with music provided by CCM ensembles and conductors. The Choreographers’ Showcase provides students an outlet for choreographic experimentation and added performance opportunities. In addition to the Dance Division’s three annual concerts, dance students may have opportunities to perform in CCM opera and off-campus performances, and qualified students may perform with Cincinnati’s professional ballet company as well as other professional companies in the region. 

Cincinnati’s artistic atmosphere enhances our students’ education. This is a city with a long heritage of devotion to the arts. The Cincinnati Symphony, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Cincinnati May Festival, Cincinnati Ballet, Playhouse in the Park, museums, outstanding public broadcasting stations, and CCM’s musical and theatrical offerings are but a few of the artistic opportunities available to CCM students.

  Minoring in Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance (Ballet)

Students cannot minor in dance.  However, some of our dance majors do complete a double major.  The second major selected depends greatly on compatibility of course requirement scheduling.

  Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the Course Applicability System (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

The bachelor of fine arts degree in dance with an emphasis in ballet is a four-year program that requires 197 credit hours.

Dance and Related Areas

General Academics

 Dance Major Class Schedule for Second and Third Years

  UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

The Dance Division keeps its finger on the pulse of the current dance world. Guest artists in residence have included Laura Alonso, Douglas Becker, Bart Cook, Sean Curran, Suzanne Farrell, Vivi Flindt, Maureen Fleming, John Magnus, William Pizzuto, Marianna Tcherkassky, and Maria Vegh. Master classes with regional company directors such as Victoria Morgan, Gerard Charles, Bruce Simpson, Norbe Risco, Durmot Burke and Adam Skulte occur on an annual basis.  Master classes from artists with Pilobus, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Urban Bush Women, Dance Alloy, Joe Goode Performance Group, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Co., among others, complement the division's curriculum while exposing students to professionals currently in the field.

There have been as many as 28 CCM dance majors performing professionally with the following companies in a given year while continuing to pursue their BFA in dance: Joffrey Ballet (seasonal dancer), Louisville Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Dayton Ballet Company, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company II, Tulsa Ballet II and Kentucky Ballet Theater. In this way, the dancers get firsthand experience of what it’s like to work in a professional setting before they graduate, helping them confirm their career goals.

  Special Programs

Emphasizing a balance between discipline and dedication to one’s art with a holistic approach to health and wellness, the dance division at CCM is one of the few ballet emphasis programs in the nation requiring a year of somatic studies for dance, including work in the Alexander Technique and the Pilates Method.  The division also provides a health and fitness program supervised by qualified professionals to ensure the overall wellness and safety of the dancers.

The Dance Division has three large dance studios, an observation booth for faculty and visitors, a therapy room and dressing rooms. Dance performances are held in CCM’s 400-seat Patricia Corbett Theater. Dance students have access to the Gorno Memorial Music Library with over 100,000 books, scores and tapes in its collection, including the Anatole Chujoy Memorial Dance Collection of books and historic memorabilia.

  Admission Requirements

To view and download specific admission and audition/interview requirements for this program please go to CCM Application Handbook.

 Specific academic requirements for admission are:

• College-preparatory English (4 units)
• College-preparatory Math (3 units)
• Science (2 units)
• Social Science (2 units)
• Foreign Language (2 units)
• Fine Arts (1 unit)
• Additional units of any of the above (2 units)

  Transferring to UC Requirements

Students may transfer into the dance program up until the beginning of their sophomore year.  Requirements are the same as for incoming first-year students.  Transfer of credits for all dance and dance-related courses must be approved by the Dance Division head.  Transfer of credits for all general academic courses must be approved by the CCM associate dean for academic affairs.

  Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Students changing majors from other programs or colleges within UC will be considered based on the same criteria as outside transfers.

  International Student Requirements

In addition to the requirements mentioned earlier, international students must adhere to the following instructions:

1. Apply before Dec. 1 for the following fall enrollment date.

2. All international students are required to submit school transcripts that show subjects studied and grades for each of the four years of study prior to high school graduation. Because of differing school systems, if only three years were completed in a high school and the fourth year in a middle school, transcripts of subjects and grades for all four years are required. The transcripts must be translated into English and be officially certified with a seal that it is an accurate and true translation. If these instructions are not followed, the transcript will be returned to the student. In addition, students are also required to provide a high school diploma, leaving certificate, etc.

3. Forward proof of English proficiency through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The University of Cincinnati has strict requirements in this area, and a minimum score of 515 (paper test) or 187 (computer-based test) on the TOEFL is essential. Test applications can be obtained from TOEFL, Box 877, Princeton NJ 08540.

4. After you are accepted, send official verification of available funding (at least $36,222 subject to change) directly to the Office of International Services, University of Cincinnati, PO Box 210627 Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0627. This must indicate the amount of money the student will have to spend while attending the University of Cincinnati, and must be from a bank official.

NOTE: Because there are no foreign student loans, international students must make every attempt to obtain financial assistance from their own governments to support studies in the United States. Official notification of all funding (from private or government sources) must be forwarded to this university’s Office of International Services.

After all information has been received and acceptance has been made by the College-Conservatory of Music, the I-20 form will be issued only by the Office of International Services. CCM does not issue these forms. All questions regarding the I-20 must be addressed to the Office of International Services (513-556-2879).

  Graduation Requirements

Several months before graduation, each candidate for a degree must file a formal application for degree with the college office. If a student fails to properly complete this application process, the university will not be responsible for the student's graduation. A minimum of one year in residence as a full-time student is required of all students wishing to apply for any degree awarded by CCM.

  Application Deadlines

The application deadline for all students applying is Dec. 1 for the following fall quarter.

  Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The University of Cincinnati is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance.