Our Philosophy

The UCI Department of Dance is grounded in the belief that future dance professionals thrive through rigorous training in multiple movement forms and deep engagement with academic inquiry. Our mission is to inspire and prepare the next generation of dancers, choreographers, and scholars through a holistic and inclusive approach to dance education.

We offer one of the largest and most comprehensive university dance programs in the United States. Our curriculum embraces the full spectrum of dance, offering multiple levels of ballet, modern/contemporary, jazz, and hip hop, along with a wide range of academic and creative courses. These include dance history, critical issues in dance, choreography, dance science, kinesiology, injury prevention, screendance, music, dance and video technology, arts management, repertory, and special topics.

At the heart of our program is an exceptional faculty of internationally recognized dancers, choreographers, composers, musicians, and scholars. Their mentorship fosters both technical excellence and artistic exploration, helping students build a strong foundation while cultivating versatility and innovation.

We believe that performance, choreography, teaching, and research are deeply interconnected—and that students grow through exposure to diverse styles, interdisciplinary opportunities, and a wide array of performance experiences. With state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant artistic community, the department continues to shape the future of dance and inspire generations of artists.

Pictured: Dance Visions 2018, photo by Rose Eichenbaum