As a student in the UC Irvine Department of Dance, you are part of a distinguished legacy and a vibrant future that define our program. In 1965, founding chair Eugene Loring and a group of internationally recognized faculty envisioned a dance program rooted in artistic excellence, scholarly inquiry, and innovation — one that has since earned national and international acclaim..
Throughout our programs there is a strong focus on the techniques of ballet, modern, jazz, tap, world dance, and dance and technology. Theoretical studies include dance history, theory, and ethnography; Laban studies; dance pedagogy; dance science; and aesthetics of digital media. Creative opportunities bridge the studio and theoretical work through performance and choreography; creative applications of animation, motion capture, audio and video technologies; lecture demonstration; and critical, historical, ethnographic, and scientific writing.
Today, the department reflects a dynamic ecosystem of creative practice, research, and pedagogy. Our work is grounded in rigorous training in foundational techniques, the exploration of choreography in various contexts, scholarly inquiry across many facets of dance-based research, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies. As a UCI dance student, you are at the heart of our commitment to a forward-thinking, inclusive, and interdisciplinary education in the art of dance.
The UCI Department of Dance was founded on the principle that aspiring professionals need substantial experience in more than one form of dance and in at least one academic area to succeed in the field of dance.
Our program is built upon the philosophy that dancers should be prepared to perform many types of dance. Coursework is designed for students preparing to continue professionally as dancers, as choreographers, and as teachers, as well as for students who have a serious interest in the theory, criticism, documentation, kinesiology, or history of dance.
Individual programs for Dance majors will vary depending upon your interests and level of preparation and will be determined in consultation with your academic counselor.
Want to know more about studying dance at UCI? Here are answers to some questions commonly asked by prospective students. Please refer to the current UCI Catalogue for complete program details and admission requirements.
To apply for admission to the UCI Dance Department, first visit the UCI Admissions website for complete details on application procedures and fees. Auditions are required.
A career in dance requires excellent training and extraordinary discipline, tenacity, and dedication. Beyond the perhaps more obvious careers in professional dance performance, choreography, and teaching, the major in Dance also serves as a basis for graduate study or job opportunities in fields such as dance history, dance science, dance reconstruction, dance criticism, and dance filmmaking.
UCI is located in fast-growing Orange County, near the Pacific Ocean between Los Angeles and San Diego. We are less than five miles from beautiful Newport Beach
