Dance
Do you love that feeling when your body moves perfectly across the stage or studio? Do you stay awake at night thinking about how to choreograph routines? Do you want to spend your life performing, directing or teaching dance?
If so, then majoring in dance might be right for you. It's a program that will keep you on your toes—both literally and metaphorically. So if you want a lifetime of doing what you love (with people who love it as much as you do), then it's time to take the next step.
What will I learn?
Modern. Ballet. Tap. Jazz. At UB, you’ll study and practice them all as you build your portfolio, performance reel and resume. Of course, you'll also learn about dance history, how the body moves, choreography and much more. UB is a leading public research university, so you can expect a high level of rigor in the studio and the classroom. It's all designed to give you the experience and training you need to succeed in the professional dance world, wherever your career may take you.
Dance BA vs. BFA
- Both degrees offer depth and breadth in ballet, modern, jazz and tap.
- The BA typically offers more flexibility in choosing a style to focus on.
- The BFA requires more upper-level courses in ballet, modern and jazz.
What can I do with a dance degree?
Broadway. Cirque du Soleil. Urban Bush Women. Disney. Twyla Tharp. From world-famous stages and international touring companies to TV and Las Vegas, UB dance graduates have entertained, taught and promoted dance around the world.
Of course, it's not just about where you can go; it's about what you can do there. Some of the dance-related career options you’ll have include:
- Director or manager (including artistic director).
- Choreographer.
- Costume designer.
- Critic.
- Historian.
- Performer.
- Producer.
- Teacher.
- Studio owner.
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $101,340.00 | N/A | |
| Dancers | $47,560.00 | N/A | Rapid Growth |
| Choreographers | $35,960.00 | N/A |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.