About the Department of Dance

Welcome from the Department Chair

Welcome to the UCI Department of Dance! We are thrilled to introduce you to our community, which fosters collaboration, cultivates connections, and builds bridges to the wider dance community. We believe in embracing diversity, promoting inclusion, and striving for excellence for all dancers. As you embark on your dance journey, we offer an expansive history spanning several decades, establishing us as a hub for creativity, innovation, and artistic excellence.

Our comprehensive range of programs and resources supports aspiring dancers, choreographers, and dance scholars alike. At the heart of our department's success is our exceptional faculty, comprised of accomplished dancers, choreographers, composers, musicians, and scholars. Their expertise and experience bring forth rigorous technical training, mentorship, and guidance, nurturing your artistic growth and helping you develop a strong foundation in various dance forms, including ballet, hip hop, modern, jazz, and contemporary.

The dance department is an all-encompassing program offering a comprehensive dance education. We are committed to empowering you to become skilled, versatile, and innovative dancers, choreographers, and scholars. With our exceptional faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, interdisciplinary opportunities, and a multitude of performance opportunities, we continue to make a significant impact on the world of dance, shaping the future of the art form and inspiring generations of dancers.

We wholeheartedly welcome you to become part of our innovative community and embark on a journey of artistic exploration with us. Together, we will delve into the limitless possibilities that extend far beyond the realm of dance, uncovering new horizons of creativity and personal growth. Join us as we celebrate the transformative power of dance and foster meaningful connections within our dynamic and inclusive community.

Dr. Kelli Sharp
Chair, Department of Dance

Our Philosophy

The UCI Department of Dance is grounded in the belief that future dance professionals thrive through rigorous training in multiple movement forms and deep engagement with academic inquiry. Our mission is to inspire and prepare the next generation of dancers, choreographers, and scholars through a holistic and inclusive approach to dance education.

We offer one of the largest and most comprehensive university dance programs in the United States. Our curriculum embraces the full spectrum of dance, offering multiple levels of ballet, modern/contemporary, jazz, and hip hop, along with a wide range of academic and creative courses. These include dance history, critical issues in dance, choreography, dance science, kinesiology, injury prevention, screendance, music, dance and video technology, arts management, repertory, and special topics.

At the heart of our program is an exceptional faculty of internationally recognized dancers, choreographers, composers, musicians, and scholars. Their mentorship fosters both technical excellence and artistic exploration, helping students build a strong foundation while cultivating versatility and innovation.

We believe that performance, choreography, teaching, and research are deeply interconnected—and that students grow through exposure to diverse styles, interdisciplinary opportunities, and a wide array of performance experiences. With state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant artistic community, the department continues to shape the future of dance and inspire generations of artists.