Temple Dance Department

For aspiring dancers, choreographers, educators, and scholars across Pennsylvania and beyond, the Dance Department at Temple University in Philadelphia stands as a premier institution for comprehensive dance education. Housed within Temple's esteemed Boyer College of Music and Dance, the department offers a rigorous academic and artistic curriculum designed to cultivate well-rounded, versatile artists with a deep understanding of their craft. Beyond technical proficiency, Temple's Dance Department emphasizes critical thinking, historical context, and the transformative power of dance in society. It is a place where traditions are honored, new knowledge is explored, and students are prepared for impactful professional careers in the diverse world of dance. This article aims to provide a detailed overview for local Pennsylvania residents considering higher education in dance, highlighting the unique opportunities available at Temple.

The Temple Dance Department is centrally located at 1700 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19121, USA, on Temple University's main campus. This prime urban location in North Philadelphia offers unparalleled accessibility for students from across the city, the wider Pennsylvania region, and even internationally. Broad Street is a major artery, making the campus easily reachable by various modes of public transportation, including SEPTA subway lines, buses, and regional rail connections. For students residing in Philadelphia and its surrounding counties, the convenience of reaching campus ensures that daily attendance and participation in the department's demanding programs are practical. The university setting also provides access to a vast array of resources, including libraries, student support services, and a vibrant campus life, enriching the overall educational experience for dance students.

The Temple Dance Department offers a robust range of academic programs, leading to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. These programs are designed to provide intensive training, foster creative potential, and prepare students for diverse professional pathways in dance.

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Dance:
  • This is the department's flagship undergraduate program, emphasizing modern dance technique and choreography.
  • Curriculum includes comprehensive requirements in ballet (following the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE National Training Curriculum), African dance, and other technique electives.
  • Coursework also covers composition, repertory, creative process, improvisation, and dance science.
  • Students explore cultural, historical, and analytical approaches to the study of dance, aiming for a balance of cognitive, analytic, intuitive, and creative skills.
  • The program prepares students for professional careers as performing artists, choreographers, teachers, scholars, and informed leaders.
• Master of Arts (M.A.) in Dance:
  • A research-centered degree designed for students to integrate cultural, creative, and educational studies of dance.
  • Blends experiential and theoretical inquiry through coursework and an in-depth thesis project.
  • Prepares students for doctoral education in dance and provides professional development in research, writing, creative process, and pedagogy.
  • Encourages interdisciplinary study across various departments.
• Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Dance:
  • Aims to hone artistic craft and develop a well-articulated artistic vision.
  • Focuses on developing dance artists who command their idiom as a basis for meaningful aesthetic statements.
  • Fosters appreciation and comprehension of the body in movement, awareness of social, cultural, and historical implications of dance, interdisciplinary perspectives, mastery of craft, and sensitivity to personal artistic qualities.
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Dance:
  • A rigorous research-focused program for those aspiring to contribute new knowledge to the field.
  • Involves a biennial symposium, diverse courses, a public seminar series, and intensive advising with experienced faculty.
  • Acquires skills to envision new paradigms for arts and education, forge interdisciplinary integrations, and create new knowledge through research.
• Diverse Technique Offerings: Beyond the core modern and ballet, students have opportunities to study other techniques as electives, and various student clubs and organizations (e.g., Esencia Latina, Temple Breakers) explore specific styles like Latin dance and breakdancing.

The Temple Dance Department boasts several distinguishing features and highlights that contribute to its standing as a top-tier program in Pennsylvania and the nation.

• Comprehensive Curriculum: The department's programs are celebrated for their broad curriculum, which combines intensive technical training with theoretical, historical, and analytical studies. This holistic approach creates well-rounded dance artists and scholars.
• Emphasis on Modern Dance: The B.F.A. program's strong focus on modern dance technique and choreography provides students with a solid foundation in contemporary movement.
• Accredited Training: The ballet curriculum follows the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE National Training Curriculum, ensuring a high standard of classical ballet instruction. The department is also a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).
• Renowned Faculty: Students study, train, and perform with accomplished dance scholars, researchers, and performers who contribute to a vibrant intellectual and creative environment. The faculty brings diverse perspectives and expertise to the programs.
• Performance and Choreography Opportunities: Students regularly perform in and choreograph pieces presented throughout the year in the Conwell Dance Theater series, providing invaluable practical experience and exposure. The Temple University Dance Ensemble offers a repertory-based performance experience.
• Diverse Student Body and Alumni Success: Graduates have gone on to perform with prestigious companies (e.g., Ballet X, Philadanco, Urban Bush Women), become successful choreographers, artistic directors, educators, therapists, administrators, writers, researchers, and advocates, showcasing the program's effectiveness in preparing students for various career paths.
• Interdisciplinary Focus: The department encourages interdisciplinary coursework and research, fostering interactions with fields like Africology and African American Studies, Anthropology, Education, History, Music, and Theater Arts, reflecting a commitment to dance's role in a multicultural society.
• Commitment to Social and Cultural Context: The department's mission highly values the role of dance in a pluralistic, multicultural society, encouraging students to consider how bodies in motion contribute to knowledge and community engagement.

For those in Pennsylvania and beyond interested in pursuing higher education in dance at Temple University, here is the key contact information for the Dance Department:

Address: 1700 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19121, USA

General inquiries for Boyer College of Music and Dance: cpcaadvising@temple.edu

General inquiries for Boyer College of Music and Dance: (215) 204-2227 (as per advising contact)

Temple University general phone number: (215) 204-7000 (as per general university contact)

Website: boyer.temple.edu/academic-programs/areas-study/dance (the Dance Department's official page within Boyer College)

For aspiring dancers and dance scholars in Pennsylvania, the Temple Dance Department offers an unparalleled opportunity for rigorous and comprehensive education within a leading urban university. It is uniquely suitable for individuals who are serious about pursuing dance as a profession, whether in performance, choreography, education, or research. The strong emphasis on modern dance, coupled with robust ballet and African dance training, provides a versatile skill set. The department's commitment to fostering well-rounded artists, combined with access to a vibrant faculty and numerous performance opportunities, makes it an ideal environment for artistic and intellectual growth. Furthermore, its location in Philadelphia allows students to immerse themselves in the city's rich arts scene, providing networking and performance prospects outside of the university. For local Pennsylvania residents seeking a world-class dance education that prepares them for a meaningful and impactful career in dance, Temple University's Dance Department stands as a top choice.

Temple Dance Department

1700 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19121, USA