The University of Montana Dance Program provides a vibrant environment in which students are challenged academically, and encouraged to develop as artists and teachers. Instruction is grounded in tradition while exploring new territory and engaging in their community and the world.<br><br>Our mission is to inspire and prepare open-minded graduates to enter the professional world as performers, choreographers, and teachers. The foundation of our program is in modern/contemporary dance, however excellent instruction is provided in ballet technique and jazz, improvisation and world dance forms. We encourage creative thinkers who are articulate about their work, technically adept, and are developing a personal voice.<br><br>The Dance Program is a close-knit community of dancers with a supportive, engaged faculty. Our program is innovative and small enough to provide ongoing personal feedback for dance majors. We offer multiple choreographic and teaching opportunities for undergraduate dance majors both on campus and in the greater Missoula community.<br><br>The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in teaching is designed as a professional training program for serious dancers/artists interested in pursuing a career in the field. Courses cover such areas as modern, ballet, and jazz technique (beginning through advanced levels), 20th-century dance history, world dance, kinesiology, pedagogy, dance as a healing art, and teaching in area schools.<br> <br>Students who choose to pursue a BFA must complete a core curriculum in addition to the courses dancers are assigned for the area of specialization in Teaching