Dance | Springfield College

Dance

Major or Minor
Bachelor of Arts
About This Program
Program Contact
Curriculum and Delivery
Career Opportunities
Paying for Your Education
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Did You Know?

We offer a dual degree Dance/Pre-PT to DPT

Upcoming Events

Dance Auditions

Spring Audition
Tuesday, February 18 at 2:40 pm

Students practicing in the dance studio

The Dance major and minor programs at Springfield College are challenging, dynamic, diverse, and consistently on the edge of contemporary trends in dance. Our emphasis is on educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body. 

In our dance major, you’ll develop your individuality, creativity, dance knowledge, and technique while preparing for a career in dance, a related field, or graduate programs in dance education, dance/movement therapy, somatics, or similar studies. 


Springfield College Partnership with Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival
Through the College partnership with Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, dance students have year-round, complete access to live performances, the festival dance archives, lectures, workshops, interviews, and in-person networking with international artists in residence. Dance students also have the opportunity to attend summer workshops and/or obtain internships at Jacob’s Pillow for college credit.


Auditions
Auditions are required. Auditions take place in the dance studio on the Springfield College campus, they may also coincide with an undergraduate open house.

BA Dance students are required to audition by March 1 in person or via video submission

Dance/Pre-PT to DPT students are required to audition by February 1 in person or via video submission

Auditions

Spring Audition dates

Dance Auditions

Spring Audition dates will take place on Tuesday, February 18 at 2:40 pm

What to expect at auditions? Prepare to wear clothes that clearly show your alignment; dance pants are recommended over tights or shorts. You will dance barefoot, and the audition style will be contemporary forms.


Please email admissions@springfieldcollege.edu to register for an audition.

*Contact Undergraduate Admissions at admissions@springfield.edu to arrange an alternative in-person audition. For anyone unable to attend an in-person audition, video auditions also may be submitted.

Instructions for video submissions:

  1. 30-second introduction (tell us a little bit about yourself)
  2. 2-3 minute solo in any style that best showcases you as a dancer (all styles welcomed and encouraged)
  3. Create an unlisted or private Vimeo or YouTube link (if private, please include password) and send to Undergraduate Admissions, at admissions@springfield.edu by the deadline listed above. 
"The Dance program at Springfield College offers an amazing opportunity to grow as a dancer and a person. You get to learn so many new things about dance and the community of dancers is amazing." Haylee Ritter, BA in Dance, Class of 2025
Haylee Ritter - Springfield College
"The Springfield College Dance Program supported and ignited my passion for dance by allowing me to grow as an artist and individual, while also offering opportunities for professional development as an artist and aspiring dance medicine physical therapist." Alexandra MacPherson ’20 (dual major in dance and physical therapy)
Alexandra Macpherson dancing
"I am not just teaching students; I am molding future artists and educators who have the power to influence and change our future. Movement and dance is a language that transcends, heals, informs, challenges and speaks to all nations and people—that is truly powerful." Sarah Zehnder
Sarah Zehnder, professor of dance, participating in a dance performance.
Dance at Springfield College

Take a look inside the Dance Program at Springfield and what makes it unique. 

Group of dancers leap in the studeio
LIFE AS A DANCE MAJOR
Study what you love

Have a passion for dance? Students in this major study dance in depth and prepare for a career in dance or a related field. Read about Alexandra MacPherson's '21, DPT '23 experience as a double major in Dance and Physical Therapy. 

Two dancers perform an African Dance piece on stage
LIFE AS A DANCE MAJOR
Get moving

Dance students are often involved in performances that are part of our William Simpson Fine Arts Series

dancers in the dance studio
LIFE AS A DANCE MAJOR
Enjoy your studio

As a dance major, you'll be able to practice in our expansive dance studio space, right on campus. 

Two dancers perform a hip hop routine
LIFE AS A DANCE MAJOR
Pursue your passion

The dance major gives students many opportunities to develop their individuality, creativity, dance knowledge, and technique.

Meet the Dance Faculty 

  • Sarah     
    Zehnder

    Springfield College - Sarah Zehnder 

    Director of Dance

    Sarah Zehnder is an NYC-based dance artist. Her company, Zehnder Dance, was established in 2010 and is known for commanding physicality, boldness, and architectural precision. It has been produced nationwide, performing in such prestigious festivals as Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out, Reverb International Dance Festival, Pasadena Dance Festival, DUMBO Dance Festival, the MAD Festival, Midwest RAD Festival, and the Women in Dance Project (NYC and Chicago). Her work has been presented at Dixon Place, Ailey Citigroup Theatre, Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, Gowanus Arts, Triskelion Arts Center, 92nd Y, Greenspace, and the Center for Performance Research. 

    Read Sarah's profile

  • Tatiana     
    Desardouin

    Springfield College - tatiana desardouin 

     

    Tatiana Desardouin is of Haitian origin, born and raised in Switzerland, and a professional dancer, dance instructor, dance consultant, choreographer, organizer, curator, and culture bearer with a Master's degree as an adult educator from the University of Geneva. Tatiana is very involved in the growth of the Swiss hip-hop scene and has been teaching and mentoring since 2005. She is the director and choreographer of Passion Fruit Dance Company, a street dance theater and educational company which she founded in 2016. The company's mission is to explore the human experience, address social issues such as racism, and strive to inspire young artists to share their voices. 

    Read Tatiana's Profile

  • Iddi     
    Saaka

    Springfield College - Ida Saaka 

     

    Iddi Saaka is an award-winning West African dance and music performance artist and teacher who specializes in Ghanaian dance and music as well as contemporary dance. Saaka holds a Diploma (with distinction) from the University of Ghana and an MFA in Dance from the University of California, Los Angeles. He has performed and taught nationally and internationally in several venues including Los Angeles, New York, Connecticut, North Carolina, Florida, Israel, Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. In 2003, he performed for the president of Israel. He has created original multifaceted works that address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ghana and Malawi and has worked with youths in detention centers across Connecticut as well as with physically challenged youth in Israel, using dance and music to equip them with lifelong skills such as anger management, respect for cultural diversity, and self-dignity. 

    Read Iddi's Profile

  • Maureen     
    Shea

     

     

    Maureen Shea is a dance artist, researcher, and Pilates instructor. Originally from Canada, Maureen graduated from the Professional Performance program in Contemporary Dance in 2001 at The School of Dance (Ottawa) and danced for choreographers Sylvie Desrosiers, Yvonne Coutts, and Marc Boivin. Maureen founded the Grasshoppa Dance Exchange in 2002 to create and perform dance works in public spaces for unsuspecting audiences. In 2007 she moved to Massachusetts and continued to develop her choreographer’s voice, primarily by teaching creative contemporary dance for children and by creating dozens of dances that were performed in local community settings. In 2018, she began the Master of Arts program in the dance department at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM) where she is currently completing her thesis on the subject of Movement-observation analysis (MOA) as an observation tool for Pilates instructors.

    Read Maureen's Profile

  • Kodee     
    Van Nort

     

     

    Kodee Van Nort began her dance experience on the plains of Western Nebraska with Vaudeville veteran, Iris Besaw. Kodee has an extensive background in dance including a Bachor of Arts in Theater and Dance from the University of Wyoming and a Master of Fine Arts in dance performance, choreography, and pedagogy from Sam Houston State University. During her performing career, she was able to explore a variety of roles from ballet to musicals and theater. Kodee has shared her passion for dance with students at the University of Wyoming, Western Nebraska Community College, Western Oregon University, Sam Houston State University, Austin Dance Company, University of Kentucky, Contemporary Dance Theater, Cincinnati Ballet, Miami Valley Ballet Theatre, and St. Xavier High School. Kodee serves on the Ohio Dance board, is an active member of the National Dance Education Organization, and is a Language of Dance Master Practitioner.

    Read Kodee's Profile

  • Angela     
    Vital-Martowski

     

     

    Angela Vital-Martowski was a University of Massachusetts Amherst Chancellor’s Award recipient and received her certificate in ballet Pedagogy from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford. She is trained in the Vaganova technique. Combining dance and fitness has become a passion and she is certified in all forms of Zumba, Barre Method, and Hoop fitness. Angela has been teaching for over 20 years all over New England, including in her own studio, The Dance Studio of Wilbraham,  where she has been the artistic director for 18 years. Vital-Martowski is a member of The National Dance Education Organization, National Dance Week and Corp de Ballet (an organization for ballet in higher education). She has been a part of the Springfield College faculty for 13 years teaching ballet and mentoring and hosting interns from the College dance program. 

     

    Read Angela's Profile

  •  

What job can I get with Dance?

A degree in Dance from Springfield College opens up numerous dynamic career paths. As a professional dancer, you might find yourself performing in dance companies, theaters, musicals, or on screen. Alternatively, you could channel your creativity into choreography, designing routines for various productions and competitions. Teaching is another rewarding avenue, where you can inspire the next generation of dancers at studios, schools, and community centers.

Data is from the 2024 Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics


Dancers and Choreographers
$51,896
Median Salary
6%
Job Projected Growth
1,300+
Job Projected Openings

Dancers and choreographers use dance performances to express ideas and stories. There are many types of dance, such as ballet, tango, modern dance, tap, and jazz. Dancers spend years learning dances and perfecting their skills. They usually perform as part of a group and know a variety of dance styles, including ballet, tap, and modern dance. In addition to traditional performances in front of a live audience, many perform on TV, in videos on the Internet, and in music videos, in which they also may sing or act. Many dancers perform in shows at casinos, in theme parks, and on cruise ships.



Art Directors
$106,500
Median Salary
5%
Job Projected Growth
6,600+
Job Projected Openings

Art directors work with art and design staffs in advertising agencies, public relations firms, or book, magazine, or newspaper publishing to create designs and layouts. They also work with producers and directors of theater, television, or movie productions to oversee set designs. Their work requires them to understand the design elements of projects, inspire other creative workers, and keep projects on budget and on time. Sometimes they are responsible for developing budgets and timelines.


William Simpson Fine Arts Series

Celebrate the arts

The William Simpson Fine Arts Series entertains and inspires. Experience the arts with magnificent work from artists and performers from both inside and outside the Springfield College community. Attendees will be dazzled by dance performances and theater presentations, captivated by art exhibitions and thought-provoking film, and delighted by concerts and literary events.

William Simpson Fall 2019 Program
Incoming first year Springfield College students participate in June Orientation on Alden Street
Core Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed in faithfulness to the Springfield College mission and to further strengthen the Humanics philosophy of educating students in spirit, mind, and body.

Student at the Learning Commons
Career Center

The Career Center’s mission is to educate, inspire, and empower students and alumni to effectively make well-informed career decisions. The staff is committed to student learning and development, and offers a variety of opportunities and programming for students and alumni.

The Academic Success Center offers readily and easily accessible services including support in writing, mathematics, science, subject area tutoring, learning strategies and time management counseling, and assistance for students with documented disabilities.
Academic Success Center

The Academic Success Center offers readily and easily accessible services including support in writing, mathematics, science, subject area tutoring, learning strategies and time management counseling, and assistance for students with documented disabilities.