Dance

The Hampshire Dance Program prepares students for advanced work in dance and movement studies.

Students can concentrate in specific areas such as choreography and performance; dance history and criticism; or somatic studies; or combine dance with other fields such as theater, film, anthropology, psychology, kinesiology, education, or religion. Final projects might involve choreographing and producing a concert of original work, or undertaking in-depth research and writing.

The Hampshire Dance Program and Five College Dance Department have a very active program for students interested in other applications of dance studies or related fields as well, including such areas as dance and technology; somatics and expressive arts; dance education; and community outreach.

• Dancing Modern 1: What We do, What We See
• Black Traditions in American Dance
• Contemplative Dance/Authentic Movement
• Choreography on Film
• Dance Activism
• Dance and Culture
• Dance Repertory
• Dancing in Context
• Dancing Motown: Rhythm and Blues, Soul and Funk
• Division III Dance Seminar
• Embodied Imagination
• Fleeting Images
• Group Improvisation: Exploring Creative Dance
• Jazz Modernism
• Laban Movement Analysis
• Making Dances I and II
• Modern Dance I, II, III, IV, and V
• New Millennium Choreographers
• Somatics: Thinking Body/Moving Mind
• The Body and Film
• Twentieth Century American Dance: Sixties Vanguard to Nineties Hip Hop
• Ballet I, II, III, IV, and V
• Comparative Studies of Latin American Dance
• Contact Improv
• Contemporary Dance Technique and Repertory
• Dance Education: Theory and Practice
• Rhythmic Analysis
• Scientific Foundations of Dance
• Twentieth Century Dance History
• West African Dance

Requirements

• Common Application
• An academic paper in English
• Supplemental essay responses
• Current transcripts
• School report, including guidance counselor recommendation
• At least one letter of recommendation from a teacher
• Certification of Finances form
• TOEFL or IELTS score (Minimum TOEFL score of 91 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5. Predicted grades for IB English A1 or A2, or for A-level English, will also be considered.
• Additional letters of recommendation, up to three

Scholarships

• MacArthur Foundation Grant Making Programs
• American Association of University Women
• Fulbright International Scholarship Program for non-US students

The Dance program at Hampshire College offers students an innovative and flexible approach to the study of movement, performance, and choreography. Emphasizing experiential learning, the program encourages students to explore the intersections of dance with other disciplines such as theater, visual arts, and cultural studies. Hampshire’s interdisciplinary environment allows students to tailor their coursework to their individual interests, fostering a deep, personalized engagement with dance as an art form and as a means of expression. The curriculum incorporates a range of techniques, including modern dance, improvisation, choreography, and somatic practices, along with opportunities for performance and creative exploration. Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills about dance history, theory, and cultural context, integrating academic inquiry with physical practice. The program also emphasizes collaboration, community engagement, and experimental approaches, enabling students to create innovative works and participate in interdisciplinary projects within the college and the broader artist community. Resources such as dedicated dance studios, rehearsal spaces, and mentorship from faculty experienced in dance and performing arts support students’ development. Hampshire College’s progressive educational philosophy seeks to cultivate independent thinking, artistic innovation, and social awareness through dance. Graduates of the program often pursue careers as performers, choreographers, educators, or continue their studies in graduate dance programs. Overall, the program prepares students not only with technical skills but also with a broad understanding of dance's role in society, fostering both artistic growth and cultural literacy.