Section
Eastern University Dance
Dance Students

CAREERS

TEACHING:
Dance StudentDance is taught in private dance studios, professional training schools, in churches, in community programs, in higher education, and in K-12 education.  Current education reform has mandated that arts education be part of the general K-12 curriculum in many states.  Qualified dance professionals are needed in all areas of teaching.

CHURCH MINISTRY:
The development of dance ministries in Christian churches is a growing trend in America.  These groups need to be directed by comprehensively trained dance professionals.  Churches also offer dance classes as part of community enrichment programs.

DANCE THERAPY AND PHYSICAL THERAPY:
The Dance Therapy Association defines dance therapy as the therapeutic use of movement to further the emotional and physical integration of a person.  This healing art integrates psychology and movement and is transformative for both patients and clinicians.  Physical Therapy rehabilitates those who have been injured.  Knowledge gained through dance is invaluable to helping those whose movement capabilities have been hampered, both physically and mentally.

PERFORMANCE AND CHOREOGRAPHY:
Dancing and creating dances for existing dance companies as well as forming new dance performance groups are fulfilling careers that involve making art.  Performers and choreographers have the ability to impact people with the expression of their work.

DANCE ADMINISTRATION, MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING:
Dance companies, schools, colleges and universities, dance festivals and other dance organizations require professionals with dance backgrounds to manage, fund raise and promote their businesses.

DANCE CRITICISM AND RESEARCH:
Dance critics and researchers not only write and publish but also teach and document the growing fields of dance history, criticism, cultural studies, and aesthetics.

DANCE PRODUCTION:
Technical direction, stage management, costuming, lighting and sound design, music accompaniment, composing, arranging, and conducting are all dance production related fields that cross over into other performing arts.

What our graduates do

Class of 2008

Haylee Garner- Apprentice with Ad Deum Dance Company, Houston, Texas

Shannon Rivera- Dance teacher at the Musical Theatre Center Performing Arts in Washington D.C.; guest lecturer at the University of Maryland and Prince Georges Community College

Class of 2007

Hannah Nolan Focht- Choreographer, Philadelphia Fringe Festival, 2008; dance teacher at Feet First Dance Center, Phoenixville, PA

Kara Schmidt- Dancer/choreographer; completing the Professional Training Program at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, New York City

Chris Underwood- Dancer with Indiginous Pitch Dance Collective, Inc. and Swerve, Underground Danceworks Dance Company, Philadelphia, PA; Dance teacher at Dance Arts in Ardmore, PA

Class of 2006

Genevieve Adams- Dance Program Director, Agnes Irwin School, and Swing dance teacher at SwingKat Entertainment in Pottstown, PA

Class of 2005

Nicole (Perry) Labonde- Executive Director, Indigenous Pitch Dance Collective, Ardmore, PA; certified Pilates instructor and corporate wellness consultant

Class of 2004

Kelli (Fletcher) Paul- Master of Science Degree Candidate in Arts Administration at Drexel University; dance teacher and choreographer, Feet First Dance Center in Phoenixville, PA

Class of 2003

Julianna (Snyder) Mackie- Dance teacher for the A. Mario Loiederman Magnet Middle School for the Creative and Performing Arts, Silver Spring, Maryland; curriculum writer and trainer for the Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland