At the heart of the Dance Program at Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University is a commitment to cultivating versatile, thoughtful, and innovative dance artists grounded in physical practice and creative inquiry.

Students will engage in rigorous daily physical practices/techniques that rotate between a breadth of dance styles, including Western Concert Dance (Contemporary, Modern, Ballet, Jazz), Africanist (West African, Street Styles, Hip Hop, Authentic Jazz), International/Global Forms, and Somatics. Centered in anatomically sound technique, Physical Practices courses nurture each student’s individual capacity, encouraging sustainable practices that foster artistic development and long-term well-being and vitality.

From day one, students are immersed in the creative process––studio and classroom experiences emphasize choreography, improvisation, digital dance studies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and performance. The program offers a wealth of performance opportunities, from student-led productions to dynamic concerts and site-specific works created by faculty and renowned guest choreographers.

With small class sizes and close mentorship, students learn from faculty who are active practitioners and leaders in the field. Learning takes place in professional studios, performance venues, motion capture labs, and digital media centers—spaces that foster experimentation, collaboration, and embodied research.

The program also emphasizes an understanding of entrepreneurship and professional readiness––offering guidance in resume and CV design, grant writing, concert production, researching career options, and defining personal and artistic goals. Through internships, community partnerships, performances, and engagement in Seattle’s thriving arts scene, students gain the experience and perspective needed to sustain meaningful careers in dance and related fields.