Immerse yourself in the world of professional dance starting in your first semester.
Dance nurtures your mind, body and soul.
Dance allows you to express yourself and your faith.
The University of Saint Francis offers an unmatched undergraduate dance program in partnership with the Fort Wayne Ballet Conservatory of Dance.
Immersed in the world of professional dance from Day One, you will train and perform alongside members of the state’s premier ballet company while earning a bachelor of arts from USF. With a primary focus on ballet, our conservatory curriculum also features training in:
With a strong foundation in the liberal arts, you’ll develop your ability to interpret ideas and emotions in dance, while studying human anatomy will deepen your understanding of movement and the mechanics of dance.
Rooted in the Franciscan tradition of faith and reason, your entire USF educational experience will strengthen your character and prepare you to become a grounded, ethical professional in whatever field you choose.
USF’s hometown of Fort Wayne is flourishing with arts and culture, making it an incredibly inspiring place to hone your craft. Arts Campus Fort Wayne, just about two miles from campus, is a vibrant downtown area full of creative organizations and experiences. Among its residents is Fort Wayne Ballet.
growth rate expected for dancers and choreographers through 2029 (BLS.gov)
Best Job in Media and Creative Arts (US News & World Report, 2020)
National average salary for choreographers (US News & World Report, 2020)
Through our partnership with Fort Wayne Ballet and other local and regional arts organizations, you’ll get plenty of professional dance experience:
Show off your skills and learn about the inner workings of productions:
Gain teaching, choreography and arts management experience through a range of internship options with Fort Wayne Ballet. You can even rotate through various departments to learn more about the many layers of a professional arts organization, from sales and marketing to fundraising.
Students can audition at the Ballet or virtually. Faculty members review the performance audition and make evaluations based on technique, musicality, artistic quality and other applicable criteria.
You’ll learn from dedicated, passionate scholars in your general education and liberal arts courses on campus and from talented, renowned dancers from Fort Wayne Ballet Conservatory of Dance.
You’ll study alongside professional dancers, choreographers and American Ballet Theater-certificated instructors who’ve taught and performed around the globe, including:
The Auer Center for Arts & Culture, just 2.5 miles from campus, is home to the Fort Wayne Ballet. As a USF dance major, you’ll spend plenty of quality time honing your technique in this bright and airy facility.
As a dance major, you’ll feel at home at USF. Our campus is full of artists and creators who get together to create, learn, worship and make a difference in the community through clubs and activities such as:
Your degree in dance can lead to a career as a performance artist in dance and theater companies across the nation, as well as a variety of arts-related roles within schools, nonprofits, and recreational organizations. Possibilities include:
USF graduates are making a difference in the Fort Wayne arts community and beyond at places such as:
I came to USF specifically for the Dance program. I’m getting great training, professional experience, and a college degree. We dance 6 days a week and get a lot of one-on-one attention, yet we’re able to balance the academics. My goal is to dance with a professional ballet company and this program is reassuring me that it’s the right choice for me.
Martine Bartley ‘21
Dance major
Your first step to becoming a USF Cougar is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.
Apply NowWhether you know what you want to see, who you want to meet or are just exploring your options, we will personalize your campus visit to fit your needs.
Visit USFAn academic plan is a general blueprint showing how one might complete the degree, semester by semester. Get an idea on what each semester could look like.