Degrees
Dance Majors & Classes
The Department of Dance has 3 majors: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Dance, Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Dance Education K-12, and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance. The Department also has a shared major: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Music Dance Theatre. Each major has its own requisite procedure for application. Choose one above for more information and how to apply.
If you are interested in majoring in any Dance programs, please self-select your Dance major (Dance BA) or pre-major (Dance Ed and Dance BFA) in MyMAP as early as possible prior to attending BYU as a Freshman or transfer student. In addition to self-selecting the major you wish to pursue, please contact your faculty advisor from the list below:
Dance BA: Keely Song keelysong@byu.edu
Dance Education: Kori Wakamatsu kori_wakamatsu@byu.edu
Dance BFA: Ashley Parov ashley_parov@byu.edu
Which Dance Degree is the Right Fit for Me?
View this chart to see which BYU Dance degree fits best with your talents and career goals.
BA in Dance

Dance BA students will become embodied, collaborative citizens prepared to contribute creative solutions within their communities.
1. BODY, MIND, SPIRIT CONNECTION
Students will be able to express in written, movement, and oral presentation the body, mind, spirit connection through applied knowledge in dance science, somatic theory, and movement studies.
2. DANCE MAKING
Students will be able to perform and choreograph dance works that demonstrate an awareness of historical and cultural contexts, application of the choreographic processes, and the shaping of a personal aesthetic.
3. INTERDISCIPLINARY INTEGRATION
Students will integrate their dance education with an accompanying self-selected minor or area of outside focus through thoughtful reflective practice.
4. CITIZENSHIP
Students will be able to value and model professional and civic engagement.
The BA in Dance is an open enrollment program and students may declare the Dance BA major upon entry to the university and will be assigned a dance major advisor. A minor is required in the BA Dance Degree.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
VIEW COURSE CHAINS
How to Apply

3
Register and Complete:
Dance 261: Freshman Seminar, Dance 241R: Contemporary Modern Dance, Dance 290R: Beginning Ballet Technique
4
Create Graduation Plan and Meet With Assigned Advisor
For more information, please contact Keely Song, Department of Dance BA coordinator, or Eliza Lyons, College of Fine Arts and Communications Advisement
Keely Song
keelysong@byu.edu
Eliza Lyons
elizaac@byu.edu
(801) 422-3777
BA in Dance Education

The Dance Education K-12 program aims to create both exceptional dance artists and distinguished teachers. Extensive coursework includes technique, choreography, performance, pedagogy, dance history, kinesiology, somatic studies, human development, music, and production.
Dance Education K-12 majors have numerous career opportunities. The degree prepares students for a variety of teaching settings including K-12 schools, private studios, and community centers. Dance Education K-12 majors also acquire many skills that easily transfer to related fields such as arts administration, educational outreach, instructional design, movement therapy, graduate studies, and higher education.
PRE-MAJOR REQUIREMENTS MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
VIEW COURSE CHAINS
How to Apply
3
Pass a Dance Ed K-12 Movement Audition
Audition includes a self-choreographed solo.4
Pass an interview with Dance Education Faculty
5
Complete the Following Requirements:
Must meet minimum standards in GPA, Standardized Test Scores, Professionalism, and Background Check requirements*
6
Successfully complete Dance 276R
7
Complete annual major advisement and majors meeting attendance
*For more information on fingerprinting background checks and licensing, visit http://epp.byu.edu or https://education.byu.edu/advisement
For more info, please contact the Area Head, Kori Wakamatsu, or academic advisor, Eliza Lyons:
Kori Wakamatsu
koriography@byu.edu
(801) 422-5148
Eliza Lyons
elizaac@byu.edu
(801) 422-377
BFA in Dance

This is a limited-enrollment program requiring that students pass an audition and receive departmental acceptance. Students are required to participate in regular proficiency assessments. The Dance BFA degree prepares students to enter the professional world as performers or choreographers, and is an excellent preparation for a performance-based graduate school experience.
PRE-MAJOR REQUIREMENTS MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
VIEW COURSE CHAINS
How to Apply
2
Declare Dance BFA Pre-Major
and/or indicate BFA interest at a designated audition.3
Pass a BFA Movement Audition
Audition includes a self-choreographed solo.4
Pass an interview with BFA Faculty
5
Meet annual BFA Proficiency requirements
6
Complete annual major advisement and majors meeting attendance
For more info, please contact the program coordinators Ashley Ivory Parov — or academic advisor, Eliza Lyons:
Ashley Ivory Parov
ashley_parov@byu.edu
(801) 422-0348
Eliza Lyons
elizaac@byu.edu
(801) 422-3777
BFA in Music Dance Theatre

The stage is our laboratory. Each year there are significant opportunities to perform work from the existing cannon of musical theatre as well as new and experimental pieces, music videos and reviews. Recent productions include Phantom of the Opera, Light In The Piazza, and Into The Woods.
Though we appear isolated in the Rocky Mountains of Utah, our program has a unique connection to many of the finest Broadway artists of our time. Stars like Sutton Foster, Audra McDonald, Mandy Patinkin and Lea Solanga regularly come to BYU to perform and individually coach our students in special master classes. In a recent master class, Frank Wildhorn, writer of The Scarlet Pimpernel and Bonnie and Clyde, was so impressed with the talent of our MDT students that he chose BYU to stage the USA premier of his new work, Count of Monte Cristo.
The capstone experience for BYU MDT students is the Senior Showcase. The Showcase gives them the opportunity to travel to New York City and perform their chosen audition pieces for current casting directors, agents, choreographers and directors.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
How to Apply
2
Complete an MDT Specific Pre-Screening
Includes an application and videos submissions. See the MDT webpage for specifics.3
Complete Live Audition
If you are invited, following the pre screening, you will attend a live audition on BYU campus.4
Candidates Will Be Chosen From The Live Audition
Following this you will be notified on how to proceed with registration.Note: if you are a current BYU student and would like to declare Pre-MDT Major status in order to prepare for your audition, see the suggested course requirements here.
For more info, please contact Nathan Balser:
Nathan Balser
Nathan_balser@byu.edu
(801) 422-2563
Minors
The Department of Dance offers the opportunity to minor in Ballet, Ballroom Dance, Contemporary Dance, and Cultural Dance. In order to complete a minor in dance, students should fulfill the requirements and meet with the designated Minor Advisor as outlined on the Minor Form. Note that certain courses are required for qualification. Once everything is complete, consultation with the CFAC Dance Advisor is mandatory.
Minor Forms
Click on a form below to view the requirements for applying to the following minors:
Cultural Dance Minor
Contemporary Dance Minor
Ballroom Dance Minor
Ballet Minor
Minor Advisors
Cultural Dance Minor Advisor: Jamie Kamala Wood
Contemporary Dance Minor Advisor: Marin Roper
Ballroom Minor Advisor: Brent Keck
Ballet Minor Advisor: Hilary Wolfley