Department Information

Purpose

Being a dance major at Loyola Marymount University requires energy, intelligence, a sense of humor and a love of life; and like all that requires a great deal, dancing offers a splendid adventure and many opportunities.

Believing that the pursuit of becoming a dancer is as much about developing the human being in the dancer as it is about developing the dancer in the human being, the study of dance at Loyola Marymount is about discovery of Self as well as mastery of skill and craft. We recognize that mature artistic power emerges as a result of experiences which require exercise of the inner being - contemplation, intuition, emotion - as well as exercise of the physical body. While training the body, the dancer will not forget the mind nor ignore the spirit. Dance education at Loyola Marymount aims at cultivating an individual who is motivated and able to integrate his or her learning into the whole of life. This study requires the most serious play and the most playful seriousness.

The Loyola Marymount dance program is based on the belief that each student is an individual with very particular questions and gifts. We design our classes and our curriculum to address the needs of individuals. These needs focus on career goals, skill development and adjustment to college life in general. Some students need to consider double majors. Some need to figure out how to balance work and a full course load. Some need assistance with housing or job placement. Each year, certain patterns of concern emerge which demand attention. Questions from our potential new students as well as from our ongoing students help us with planning and insure our curriculum and our programs stay responsive to our students and up-to-date with our discipline.

The LMU Dance Program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance and takes part in the American College Dance Festival.