During freshman advising, incoming students discuss with a faculty advisor her/his past experience in dance. At this time, advisors make recommendations about the level most likely to be appropriate for the student. If a student is entering the program with prior dance experience, the faculty will typically advise the dancer into Modern Dance II and an appropriate level of ballet. When in doubt, students are advised into a lower-level class to assure the student a strong foundation upon which to build. The first few weeks of the semester students are frequently asked to change levels to ensure they’re in the appropriate class.

 

No ... and yes. Our beginning-level technique classes (100-level) are general education classes that don't require auditions. Students planning to enroll in upper-level modern/contemporary dance technique classes are required to audition for these courses. This audition takes place the Friday morning prior to the first day of each Fall Term. In all cases, if the teacher feels you are in the wrong class, she will discuss it with you and suggest another.

 

The Dance Program primarily offers financial scholarships to enrolled dance majors who demonstrate financial need. Scholarship applications are due during Spring Term and primarily are awarded to students already accepted as dance majors at The University of Montana who have been with the program for the academic year. Occasionally incoming freshman and transfer students are awarded scholarships; one scholarship is given to an incoming freshman through the Montana Thespian organization. Scholarship requests for incoming freshman or transfer students are due April 1 and should include the following:

Yes! For students who double-major, we recommend pursuing the BA degree, which was created for students who have multiple areas of study and requires a lower number of credits than the BFA.




In order to complete our major, students must be able to successfully complete advanced levels of modern and intermediate levels of ballet. Although some are able to complete the major with little previous experience, most students need an intermediate proficiency when they arrive as freshman. If the dance faculty believe a student will not be able to graduate from the UM Dance Program in four years, she or he is alerted to this following the Admission Audition.

 

Faculty advise students to take a class load that blends general education requirements and dance classes. The majority of students take 2-3 dance classes each day.

 

Although dance may not be considered the most lucrative field, dancers can find employment as performers, choreographers, teachers, physical trainers, or in related fields such as dance and multimedia, somatics, pilates, or yoga. Others pursue employment as arts administrators, critics, or dance historians/scholars. Many students pursue graduate work in dance and apply for faculty positions in colleges or universities. Some pursue the field of dance therapy or pursue musical theatre or video work. Graduates with the most success are enterprising and persevering. They follow up with contacts made here at UM and at other workshops they attend. Our Junior/Senior Seminar class prepares students for life after graduation with assignments in writing a resume and cover letter, preparing portfolios, writing grant proposals ,and making persuasive arguments for dance in various settings. The UM Dance Program does its best to send its students out into the world as articulate, outward-looking artist/teachers.

 

The Dance faculty are available to discuss each student’s strengths and her or his potential for professional employment after graduation. Feel free to make an appointment with one of us!

 

Yes, all students with fewer then 30 credits are required to live on campus.

 

No; therefore Residential Life requests that you apply for residential housing early.

 

For information about room and board visit the Office of Residence Life website.

 

For information regarding cost of attendance at UM, visit the Enrollment Services - Admissions website.

 

For information regarding the establishment of in-state residence, visit the Registrar's Office website.