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Dance Program

Why Study Dance at Saint Mary’s College?

We cultivate creativity, skill and artistry in a nurturing and supportive environment. Students come to Saint Mary’s to dance because they have a passion for moving. Our noncompetitive atmosphere gives all dancers the opportunity to perform, even in their first year.

Dance Program Learning Goals

The dance program at Saint Mary’s College strives for a holistic approach to studying dance by:

emphasizing a healthy attitude toward dance
developing efficient movement patterns that promote a healthy body
encouraging reflection both of the practice and the spirit
assisting the dancer in taking ownership of growth and change
teaching healthy life-style choices including nutrition and injury prevention
exploring the dancing body in relationship to the SMC community, the greater dance community, and the world, thus placing dance within a larger context of ideas
requiring cross training of various dance styles and methods, including technique, technical theatre, Somatics, and world dance forms, in addition to recommending other disciplines within the performing arts
attending dance concerts of professional companies.
offering peer mentoring and one-to-one faculty mentoring
supporting individual artistic choices to express individual thought, choreography, and research to further develop creative and critical thinking
creating professionally trained dancers in a rigorous and positive environment

Spring 2016 Dance performance

Dance Program Concentrations

Choreography and Performance

Study the theory and practice of movement, technique, choreography, and pedagogy through a variety of workshops and performances

Dance Studies

Study the historical, theoretical, and cultural roots of dance as a performance art while learning and performing a variety styles and choreography

Dance Science

For more information on this specialized concentration, please consult the Director of the Dance Program, Professor Cathy Davalos
Learn More about the areas of study

SMC Dance Company

Professor Cathy Davalos, Artistic Director of the Davalos Dance Company, Professor Dana Lawton, a ten-year member of Janice Garrett and Dancers and Artistic Director of Dana Lawton Dances, Jia Wu, Artistic Director of Jia Wu Dance Theater, offer dance students the opportunity to perform with the Saint Mary’s College Dance Company (SMCDC), now in its 22nd year.

From September to May, Company members experience what it means to be a professional dancer by going through training, choreography, and performance. Students in the dance program work with professional dancers and choreographers from throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to Davalos, Lawton, and Wu, students have had the opportunity to study with Shaunna Vella, Rogelio Lopez, Bliss Kolmyer, Paco Gomes, Janice Garrett, Nina Haft, Stacey Printz, and Randee Paufve all whom have created new works for the SMCDC.

smc dance company

Auditions

Auditions are not required for the Performing Arts major in dance. Students will audition for performance ensembles, including the Saint Mary's College Dance Company, early in the new academic year. Contact Department Chair Cathy Davalos for more information on performance auditions.

Scholarships

The Dance Program at Saint Mary’s College offers scholarships to incoming first years. Dance scholarships are merit-based for demonstrated artistic excellence. The audition will consist of three parts: a modern dance technique class, a short solo, and an interview.

Photos & Videos

See what it truly means to be a part of the Dance Program here at Saint Mary's College!

Last updated by Tara Sundy on March 15, 2019