Built on Legacy.
Driven by Innovation.
Welcome to UCI Dance—where performers, creators, and thinkers come together to move, innovate, and inspire.
Remembering Dr. Kelli Sharp, Chair of the Department of Dance
To the dance community, and to all our friends near and far,
We, the faculty and staff of the Dance department, wish to express our deepest gratitude for the community's kindness, consideration and remembrances extended to all of us as we grieve the passing of Dr. Kelli Sharp, our incredible colleague, and our dear friend. Dr. Sharp joined the faculty in 2015, and for the past three years, served as our department chair. Kelli cherished her work, radiating warmth, dedication, patience, and a good dose of humor as she encountered everyone in each new situation. She was a highly effective leader who guided and championed us through challenges and celebrations alike. Her remarkable acuity and empathy led her to give her fullest attention to every colleague, student, and community member she interacted with. Dr. Sharp provided care, intellectual rigor, thoughtful guidance, and the space to flourish. She was uncommon in her ability to see people in full. She valued and trusted us. In her wake, we are committed to living up to realizing the potential that she saw in all of us to cultivate a rich and relevant education for all our students. We ask you all to be in stride and dance with us as we build a future that celebrates and honors Kelli’s legacy with the keenest of minds and fullest of hearts.
– The faculty and staff of the UCI Department of Dance
Current and Prospective Students
The UC Irvine Department of Dance combines rigorous training in ballet, modern, jazz, and hip hop with academic inquiry to prepare the next generation of dancers, choreographers, and scholars. Our internationally recognized faculty foster technical excellence, creativity, and innovation, while students engage in performance, choreography, research, and interdisciplinary opportunities within a vibrant artistic community.
Spotlight in the Department of Dance
UCI Arts Summer 2026 Faculty Highlights
Remembering Dr. Kelli Sharp, Chair of the Department of Dance
UCI Arts Names Sepideh Moafi, M.F.A. ’13, as the 2026 Lauds & Laurels Recipient
Finding Your Place in Dance
OC Arts Awards Recognize 26 Years of Creativity and Community
Upcoming Events
New Slate 2026
Experience a showcase of original choreography by M.F.A. candidates in the Department of Dance. Join us for a...
Dance Visions 2027
Presented by the Department of Dance, Dance Visions 2027 is the department’s annual signature concert...
Physical Graffiti 2027
Undergraduate choreographers present an annual concert showcasing a dynamic range of dance styles, from...
Shaping the Future of Movement
At UCI Dance, your professors are internationally recognized performers, choreographers, musicians, and scholars whose work spans stages, studios, and research across the globe. They don’t just teach dance; they embody it, question it, and expand its possibilities, guiding students toward both technical excellence and artistic innovation.
Student Resources
Prospective Students
Undergraduate Students
Graduate Students
Dance Archive
UCI Dance Visions 2025
Choreography by Charlotte Griffin
Watch Video
UCI Dance Visions 2025
Choreography by Lar Lubovitch
Watch Video
UCI Dance Visions 2025
Choreography by Molly Lynch
Watch Video
UCI Dance Visions 2025
Choreography by S Amy Wray, Cyrian Reed
Watch Video
UCI Dance Visions 2025
Choreographed by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot; Reconstructed by Tong Wang
Watch VideoIn the News
UCI Arts Summer 2026 Faculty Highlights
Remembering Dr. Kelli Sharp, Chair of the Department of Dance
UCI Arts Names Sepideh Moafi, M.F.A. ’13, as the 2026 Lauds & Laurels Recipient
Explore a Day With Us In Dance
In their first year at UCI, all dance students work toward the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. In their sophomore year, students who want more intensive preparation for careers as performers and choreographers can opt for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) with a specialization in Performance or Choreography. Admission to the B.F.A. program in Choreography is by department approval only. The B.F.A. program in Performance does not require additional department approval; students should declare their intention for this specialization during spring quarter of their sophomore year.
Currently, there are 150 undergraduate students and 9 graduate students in the Dance Department.
The UCI breadth (general education) requirement includes the following course areas: Writing, Natural Sciences, Social/Behavioral Sciences, Humanistic Inquiry, Math/Symbolic Systems, Language Other Than English, Multicultural Studies and International/Global Issues.
The Dance degree curriculum includes a minimum of one year of study in Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Modern techniques, with additional technique requirements based on the student’s selected degree track. Students also engage in academic and creative coursework such as Dance Health and Injury Prevention, Kinesiology, Music for Dancers, Choreography, Dance History, Dance and Video Technology, Critical Issues in Dance, and performance-based experiences. For a complete overview of course offerings and degree requirements, please consult the UCI Dance Program catalogue.
Yes, approximately 36% of our Dance majors graduate with a double major, often combining Dance with fields such as Education, Biological Sciences, Criminology, Business, and more. Students are encouraged to explore academic pathways that reflect their diverse interests and career goals. Visit the UCI Undergraduate Majors and Minors page to learn more about available programs.
Visit the UCI University Registrar page for current tuition rates.
The required courses for the M.F.A. program are: Six courses chosen from any graduate or upper-division dance technique course; Graduate Kinesiology for Dance (Dance 201); Musical Resources (Dance 222); Teaching of Dance Techniques (Dance 225); Dance and Video Technology (Dance 281); two courses in Graduate Choreography (Dance 261); Movement Analysis (Dance 282); Critical Issues in Dance (Dance 283); Bibliography and Research (Dance 284); Thesis (Dance 286); Proseminar in Dance History (Dance 296)
Currently, there are 150 undergraduate students and 9 graduate students in the Dance Department.
Generally it takes two years to complete the program.
Visit the UCI University Registrar page for current tuition rates.
The deadline for application is December 1, 2026. See Applying to the Graduate Program in Dance for complete information.
Students perform in a variety of venues, ranging from traditional theaters to innovative alternative spaces. These include a large, fully equipped dance studio featuring state-of-the-art projection, lighting, and sound systems, as well as the Experimental Media Performance Lab (xMPL) – a versatile black box theater with flexible seating and advanced technological and video capabilities. The Department of Dance produces several concerts annually, one of which showcase original choreography by graduate students. Additionally, students have the opportunity to present thesis concerts, video projects, and other creative works in both conventional and experimental settings, fostering a dynamic and multifaceted performance experience.
Students also have the opportunity to work across disciplines and collaborate with artists from a range of fields – including, but not limited to, musicians, lighting designers, costume designers, painters, and multimedia artists – enhancing their creative process and expanding the scope of their work.
For additional information please contact:
Dance Department: dancemfa@uci.edu
For questions about the M.F.A. in Dance program, contact the Graduate Advisor, Associate Professor Chad Michael Hall, chall1@uci.edu
For questions about the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, contact School of the Arts Student Affairs Office: (949) 824-6646, artscounselor@uci.edu
