USC's new BA degree program in dance welcomed 25 performance/choreography majors in fall 2005 and will add its first class of dance education majors in fall 2006.

The conservatory style BA in dance performance/choreography focuses on intensive dance and choreography training with many opportunities for students to perform. Many of the students danced professionally before coming to the University.

"The BA is not designed to teach novices to dance," said Susan E. Anderson, a professor of dance and artistic director of the USC dance program. "Instead, the successful applicants must be academically qualified, talented, well trained in classical dance and other forms of dance, and have a tenacious desire to perfect their dancing ability."

Having received pre-accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Dance, the program's first class of dance education majors will combine professional dance training with general teaching theory, dance education, and student teaching. Students will graduate with both the BA and a K-12 teaching certificate. Dance Education majors prepare for teaching careers in public and private schools as well as dance studios. "They learn teaching and production because they will have to do it all,” Anderson said. "BA graduates often go on to receive MFA degrees in dance, which qualify them to teach in higher education."

In addition to Anderson, who danced with the San Francisco Ballet before coming to USC, the dance faculty includes Miriam Barbosa, formerly of the Martha Graham Dance Company; Stacey Calvert, a Columbia native who became a soloist with the New York City Ballet; Serguei Chtykov, who trained at the Bolshoi Ballet Theatre; and Cindy Flack, whose specialties are musical theatre, jazz, and West African dance.

"Faculty insist on professional quality in dance, choreography, and production training, and their own professional experiences set a high standard," Anderson said.

In November 2005, USC's Board of Trustees approved a plan to provide part of a new building to the dance program. The new facility will provide more space for classes and rehearsals.

The USC Dance Board is working to increase the endowment that generates dance scholarships. Currently, 10 dance majors receive modest scholarships, but Anderson would like the increase the scholarships to $2,000 per year for qualified students. "By offering $1,000 per semester, USC will really be able to attract the strongest dancers to our program," she said.

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