Mission & Vision

Mission Statement

This mission aligns with the University’s goal to assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life. To achieve this mission we mentor, develop and assist students in the mastery of performance, choreography, teaching and scholarship, which is in harmony with the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Brigham Young University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance. The BYU Department of Dance provides a broad base for professional training in both the classroom and the studio. Our versatile undergraduate program includes four degrees: a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Dance, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Dance Education K-12, a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Music Dance Theatre.

Seated in the College of Fine Arts and Communications, the Department of Dance is one of the largest academic dance programs in the nation. Many opportunities are available for dancers including highly mentored student and faculty collaborations, on-campus performances, community outreach, study abroad, international touring and more. Students who graduate with a degree in dance from BYU go on to prestigious graduate programs and successful careers in teaching, performing and choreography.

Statement of Belonging

Our shared vision is to create an environment where ALL students, faculty, and staff feel valued, empowered, and supported in reaching their individual potential consistent with the mission and aims of BYU and the BYU Department of Dance. As shared in the BYU Statement on Belonging,

"We are united by our common primary identity as children of God (Acts 17:29; Psalm 82:6) and our commitment to the truths of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ (BYU Mission Statement). We strive to create a community of belonging composed of students, faculty, and staff whose hearts are knit together in love (Mosiah 18:21)..."

BYU Statement of Belonging

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Faculty and Hiring

• We strive to actively hire the highest quality faculty to teach the diverse offerings of our department and we support ongoing professional works
• We value diversity of interest and research and ongoing professional development
• We aspire to create a workplace that champions and supports artists of all cultures and backgrounds

Student Recruitment and Retention

• We strive to expand recruitment efforts to tap into the rich social and ethnic dance cultures through the world inviting local, regional, national, and international perspectives
• We value our connection to all local, domestic, and international dance communities
• We aspire to create a department culture that welcomes, encourages, and creates a home for dancers of varying styles, life experience and circumstances, perspectives, talents, and abilities

Teaching and Experiencing Belonging

• We strive to support, expand, and develop high-quality diverse course offerings
• We value building connections with diverse communities through community engagement, guest lecturers, and experiential learning opportunities
• We aspire to implement inclusive curriculum in lecture and technique courses, and we invite students from across our campus community to participate in these courses