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Dance at NC State

Learn about all of our dance courses, events, and performance opportunities.

Get Involved in Dance

The Department of Performing Arts and Technology offers students the opportunity to study dance through academic courses and first-hand experience in choreography and performance.

Any student can dance at NC State regardless of their major. Undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in various fields bring their unique perspectives and backgrounds into the artistic process and contribute meaningfully to the art.

Keep Up With Dance on Social Media

Follow @ncstatedance on Instagram to stay up-to-date on dance auditions, classes, news and performances.

Follow @ncstatedance 
Spend your Tuesday with us for an African Dance Workshop led by two members of the Zimbabwe-based ensemble Nobuntu!

Presented in partnership with @artsncstate @ncstatelive this class will teach you about rhythm through drumming, clapping, and movement from the Ndebele Culture, such as Isitshikitsha, Indlamu and Amabhiza. Participants will also be introduced to 1-2 songs which they will perform to accompany the dances. If you’re interested in learning the origin and meaning of these powerful rhythms then be sure to come to the workshop tomorrow!

 *Please note this class falls on a Tuesday not a Thursday and is in studio 1309!

Tuesday, October 8
5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Carmichael Gymnasium, Dance Studio 1309
Registration is free and required!

Learn more and register: http://go.ncsu.edu/masterclass (link in our profile!)
PSA: There’s a tap dancing class with Matthew Shields happening next week!

Mr. Shields has over a decade of dance company experience with Tapestry Dance Company and spent over six years touring and performing with Postmodern Jukebox. He’s also been featured in numerous theater productions and in jazz and supper clubs. Appropriate for all skill levels, this class will work with a jazz music influence and help teach you about the American art form of tap dance.

Please note that this master class falls on a Tuesday not a Thursday and is at 6:30 (see more details below)! 

Tuesday, September 24
6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Carmichael Gymnasium, Dance Studio 2307
Registration is free and required!

Learn more and register: http://go.ncsu.edu/masterclass (link in our profile!)
🚨 Free dance class alert!! Next Thursday, Brianna Forbes will host a workshop on South African Amapiano Dance movements and techniques.

This workshop encompasses fast footwork and intricate pelvic and leg movements to emphasize the melodies and rhythms of the beautiful music. Participants will learn about the brief and beautiful history of Amapiano, and House dancers may already be familiar with these rhythms and some footwork!

Thursday, September 19
5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Carmichael Gymnasium, Dance Studio 2307
Registration is free and required!

Learn more and register: http://go.ncsu.edu/masterclass (link in our profile!)
This Thursday we’ll be having a Ukrainian Folk Dance Master Class!

Directed by Carrie Lang, this class will help teach you about a kind of dance that serves not just as a form of entertainment but also as a living narrative of the history, social life, and customs of the Ukrainian people. Joined by members of Tsvitinnya’s North Carolina Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, this class gives you the opportunity to connect and celebrate the vibrant and resilient culture in Ukraine.

Thursday, September 12
5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Carmichael Gymnasium, Dance Studio 2307
Registration is free and required!

Learn more and register: http://go.ncsu.edu/masterclass (link in our profile!)
We’re officially back with the Master Class Series! Tonight: Musical Theatre with Ashley Anderson! 🎭

This class is designed for students who wish to explore the art of musical theatre dance. Join Ashley for an upbeat class of Broadway-style dancing and music. Develop skills in dance and performance, with a focus on storytelling through movement. Register online now at go.ncsu.edu/masterclass (link in bio)

📅  TONIGHT
⏱️ 5:30 p.m.
📍 6:45 p.m.

dancers performing on stage.

Perform

Our three academic dance companies—Panoramic Dance Project, the State Dance Company, and Terrain Dance Project—provide students with opportunities to develop close-knit, collaborative relationships with the faculty, guest artists, and fellow dancers. All three companies are open by audition and can be repeated for course credit.

Students who wish to gain performance experience without the commitment of joining a company or while training their way towards auditioning for a company will greatly benefit from the DAN 305 course.

Dancers interested in performing work created by students may audition to be cast in pieces choreographed by Student Choreographers enrolled in the Independent Study in Dance (DAN 498).


dancers in a studio.

Take Your Study Further

Enroll in a Dance Course

The Department of Performing Arts and Technology is committed to providing broad-based educational opportunities for NC State students through a variety of music and dance experiences and introductory and upper-level courses. Department faculty seek to assist students in developing insights, skills, and the capacity to perceive and respond to music and dance in its historical and cultural contexts.

Enroll in a dance course and expand your knowledge and understanding of dance while you satisfy various GEP Requirements. Explore your options in the NC State course catalog. Our two dance minors are designed for qualified undergraduate students who wish to pursue a more extensive study of dance.

Dance Minors

Through our dance minor programs, students have the opportunity to select the specific courses that best fulfill their needs while maintaining an overall balance. Our two tracks let you choose whether to pursue a focused study of your area of interest or explore dance on a broader level.

  • Dance Performance and Choreography (17 credit hours)
  • Dance Studies (15 credit hours)

A dance minor may be preparing for graduate study or for work as a performer, choreographer, educator, or dance therapist. Additionally, our dance minor tracks will enhance students’ studies as they ready themselves for careers and service as arts entrepreneurs or administrators, physical therapists, physicians, or in disciplines such as Africana studies, design, film and engineering.

Master Classes Series

Take a break from your academic courses, learn from highly trained dance professionals and try something new. No long-term commitment is required.

dancers in a studio.

dancers in a studio.

Experience More Dance

Attend a Concert

The Department of Performing Arts and Technology presents dozens of concerts annually, providing various affordable opportunities for students, families and local concertgoers to experience incredible live performances. We hope to see you at a concert soon!

Series Events

Our department strives to make dance accessible to everyone at NC State. In addition to our regular dance concerts, our department offers unique performances, workshops, and lectures led by our faculty and professional guest artists.

Dance Student Organizations

Whether you’re looking for a chance to perform with a group or to learn more about a specific topic with like-minded friends, there’s a student-run club or organization waiting for you. If there’s not, we can help you start one!

tap dancers on stage.