Shenandoah’s dance programs provide the academic and professional preparation demanded by a wide variety of careers. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees are designed for you — the highly-motivated, pre-professional dancer who is seeking a career as a concert performer, choreographer or dance educator. The Bachelor of Arts program is designed for dancers who are interested in a broad general education while continuing their dance studies.
You will be immersed in the art from the moment you arrive on campus. The intimate conservatory approach at Shenandoah provides a focused environment for study, while the supportive atmosphere encourages your individual growth and creativity.
Graduates from Shenandoah work on Broadway, in regional theatres, on national and international tours, and on cruise ships.
Dance at Shenandoah
All degree programs present the opportunity to develop creative and production skills while enriching philosophical and theoretical perspectives in close, mentoring relationships with the dance faculty.
Shenandoah Conservatory students dance a wide repertoire of artistic styles and techniques. They perform in original choreography created by faculty and internationally recognized guest artists. New works choreographed by students are performed both on campus and in a wide variety of touring opportunities, including professional showcases in Washington, D.C., and New York City.
Dance EnsembleDance News
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Jennifer Steele Named Dean Of Shenandoah Conservatory
Shenandoah University is pleased to announce that Jennifer Smolos Steele, Ph.D., has been named the new dean of Shenandoah Conservatory. Dr. Steele has held various academic positions in higher education arts programs for nearly 20 years. She ... Continue Reading Jennifer Steele Named Dean Of…
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Shenandoah Dance Students Work With Rising Stars
Several of the nation’s most exciting choreographers came to Shenandoah’s main campus to work directly with Shenandoah Conservatory’s Dance Ensemble to craft the performances in the Jan. 31-Feb. 2 concert, “Reflections: Invited Choreographers ... Continue Reading Shenandoah Dance Students Work With…
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Guest Choreographer and Dancer Katie Vickers Presents ‘Survival in Ruins’
Special guest choreographer and dancer Katie Vickers presented “Survival in Ruins” on Thursday, Oct. 3, and Friday, Oct. 4, in Shingleton Dance Space. This unique performance and memoir tells the story of the interconnectedness of life, reflected in ... Continue Reading Guest Choreographer and Dancer Katie…
Dance Alumni
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Smallwood ’23 Joins Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Faculty
Michaela Smallwood ’23 (Bachelor of Arts in Dance, Bachelor of Science in Sociology) is joining the faculty at Barbara Ingram School for the Arts in Hagerstown, Maryland, as a theatre adjunct in dance, teaching jazz, precision jazz, ballet and tap ... Continue Reading Smallwood ’23 Joins Barbara Ingram…
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Myers ’22 Performs in MDP’s ‘American Jukebox’ at Busch Gardens
Cassidy Myers ’22 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance) performed in the Matt Davenport Production (MDP) of “American Jukebox: Summer Remix” this summer at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia. The show features a variety of music genres from the 1960s ... Continue Reading Myers ’22 Performs in MDP’s…
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Shenandoah University’s 2024 Commencement Twice As Special For Two SU Families
Shenandoah University’s 2024 Commencement marked a major milestone in the lives of many who were in attendance at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events on May 18. For two families, the event called for double the celebration. Not only did ... Continue Reading Shenandoah University’s 2024 Commencement Twice…
Dance Faculty
Caring and Accomplished
Active as performers, choreographers and educators who bring their talents to showcases and guest engagements around the world (Taiwan, Columbia, Germany, Spain, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Italy, France and England)
- Emphasis on teaching technical excellence and stylistically diverse performance artistry
- Nurture intelligent physical practice, creativity and collaboration with music and theatre divisions
- Devoted to providing students with professional opportunities across the nation and around the world
ShenCoLAB
Shenandoah Conservatory turns over the programming and facilities to its students for a week of unbridled exploration, collaboration and creativity.
ShenCoLAB is the only such week of its magnitude and scope offered by a university performing arts program in the United States.
The week culminates in an extraordinary event: the Festival of Arts, Ideas & Exploration, which featured 27 performances and five presentations in the inaugural year!
Take a Virtual Tour of Shenandoah Conservatory
Shenandoah Conservatory is an exciting hub of collaboration and innovation. Here's a chance to take a quick look at all the spaces in which our students engage in rich and rewarding creative experiences in music, theatre, and dance.
We're an All-Steinway School
Great music stirs the heart and inspires the soul, and Steinway pianos are celebrated as the instruments used by renowned artists to cultivate their talent and produce great music. Similarly, uncompromising excellence in performing arts education sparks the imagination and inspires the future.
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