Dance

About this Area

Develop as a versatile and innovative dance artist through rigorous training and artistic exploration. The Dance department’s flexible structure allows you to explore your interests and offers you the option to transition between the Dance BFA, Dance BA, or Dance Minor options if your goals evolve or you want to include an additional Seattle University major or minor. From your first semester, you will explore choreography, improvisation, dance for film, interdisciplinary collaboration and performance while gaining valuable experience through faculty-directed productions, guest artist projects and student-led productions.

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Photo by Winnie Westergard from TERPS 2026. Dancers in motion during a group number.

Program Offerings

Discover Dance Degree Programs

Develop your artistry through rigorous training in a wide range of dance styles while exploring choreography, improvisation, performance, anatomy, dance studies and creative collaboration. Whether you’re just starting college or continuing your studies, you’ll have the opportunity to build the technical, creative and professional skills for a sustainable creative career.

Fall 2027 Majors & MinorsTransfer Applicants & Current Students

Beginning in Fall 2027, you can explore flexible degree pathways within the Cornish Dance Department. Students who would like to transfer into the Dance BA when it opens in Fall 2027, should consult with their advisor to plan for a smooth transition.

Dance BFA, BA or Minor

The Dance BFA provides immersive professional preparation for students seeking intensive artistic training, while the Dance BA combines dance with the flexibility of a liberal arts education, making it ideal for interdisciplinary study and double majors. The Dance minor allows you to deepen your dance practice alongside another field of study while building technical, creative and cultural understanding through movement, choreography and performance.

Apply for Fall 2027

Whether you’re hoping to transfer to Cornish or are already enrolled at Cornish College of Arts at Seattle University, here are the many ways you can study dance during the 2026/2027 academic year.

Dance, BFA

Develop your artistry through rigorous training in contemporary, ballet, jazz, hip hop, Africanist, global dance forms, choreography, improvisation and performance while learning from practicing artists and renowned guest choreographers. Gain hands-on experience and technical skill through performances, interdisciplinary collaborations and internships.

Apply for the 2026/2027 Year

Application Process

See What’s Required to Apply

Choosing a college is about finding the program that best supports your goals. At Cornish, we look for students who are passionate about their area of study and eager to grow.

Learn More About the Application Process

All applicants must submit a Seattle University application, application fee or approved waiver, recommendations, and a writing sample. Review the specific requirements for your Cornish program before you apply.

How to Apply

See Audition Requirements

If you’re applying to a BFA program, you’ll submit an audition as part of your application. Auditions give Cornish the opportunity to see your artistic interests, potential and commitment to your creative practice. We encourage you to come to campus for your audition, but if that is not possible, you can also submit a video audition. BA dance degree applicants do not have to participate in the audition process.

Dance Audition Requirements

Dance

Faculty + Staff

Dedicated to mentoring the next generation of creatives, Cornish faculty combine extensive professional expertise with a passion for teaching students how to develop the skills, confidence and vision to succeed in the arts.