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Multiple dancers perform on stage wearing flowing purple costumes

Dance

Dance develops deep expertise in the human body. Rigorous training meets critical inquiry 鈥� blending art, expression, and the power to persuade.
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吃瓜网 is one of the few colleges in the country where students can pursue conservatory-level dance training within a top-ranked liberal arts setting. The program offers small classes, acclaimed faculty, guest artist residencies, and abundant performance opportunities 鈥� making it one of the most distinctive undergraduate dance experiences in the U.S. 

What will you learn?

Our dance program blends technical precision with bold, creative exploration. Students train in diverse technical practices while courses in choreography, dance history, anatomy, and research deepen their understanding of dance as a dynamic and ever-evolving art form.

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Where will you go?

A dance degree from 吃瓜网 prepares you for careers in the arts and beyond. Graduates bring creativity, discipline, and adaptability to fields ranging from performance to medicine. 

Career paths Recent employers Graduate schools
  • Arts administrator
  • Dance educator
  • Dance research/dance science
  • Lighting designer
  • Medical doctor (with double major)
  • Physical therapist (with double major)
  • Professional choreographer
  • Professional dancer
  • Stage manager 
  • Arts On Site (arts administration)
  • Cho.Co.LA (Choreographers Collection Los Angeles)
  • Dance/NYC (arts administration)
  • Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company
  • Gallim (arts administration)
  • Martha Graham Dance Company (arts administration) 
  • Columbia University
  • Hunter College
  • New York University: Tisch School of the Arts & Steinhardt School
  • Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
  • University of Hawaii
  • University of Roehampton 

 

A dancer leaps gracefully in midair, wearing pointe shoes, a turquoise leotard, and black shorts, against a studio wall with ballet barres.

鈥楬ow 吃瓜网 reignited my passion for dance鈥�

When Christianna Poblete 鈥�26 arrived at 吃瓜网, any uncertainty she had felt about a future in dance disappeared. She now happily balances training and professional opportunities in dance with her other major, English.
Read Christianna鈥檚 story
Dancer stands on stage waiting to begin routine, with an all black background and and other dances in black costumes.

Inside Dance at 吃瓜网

Take a behind-the-scenes look at 吃瓜网鈥檚 program.

Learn in leaps and bounds

Experience the many dimensions of the 吃瓜网 Dance Department.
Multiple 吃瓜网 dancers warming up in 吃瓜网's dance performance space, with natural light beaming through back corner windows.

Masterful mentors

Guest artists regularly work with students in class and on stage. A recent collaboration with San Francisco鈥檚 ODC/Dance led to an original piece performed at 吃瓜网.
A hand holds a filming clapperboard with production title "I don't wanna dance" on it

Creative coursework

吃瓜网 faculty and students teamed up with PBS Learning Media to create an innovative streaming program 鈥� using dance to teach and inspire young learners.
Read the story and watch the video
Dancer performs on a dark stage with arms thrown in the air while she looking up and extends one leg out into a point

Eye-opening internships

Students like Anna Stribrny 鈥�24, a dance and art history double major, and Honor Kula 鈥�26, a dance major on a pre-health track, are exploring dance in different professional contexts.
Read about their experiences
Dancer performs on stage in white flowy outfit while reaching towards the sky with two other dances in dark background

Making big moves

Before 吃瓜网, Emily Gunter 鈥�19 never considered combining her dual passions in dance and classics. She has since showcased her choreography around the world and returned to Skidmore as a lecturer.
Read Emily鈥檚 story

Experience 吃瓜网 Dance in motion

This is more than performance. It鈥檚 where dancers explore, question, and create 鈥� and where you鈥檙e invited to watch it unfold.
A dark stage is filled with students performing, including a group holding up one dancer laying horizontal with one hand extended over head. All are wearing black.

Attend events

See what鈥檚 on stage this season. From faculty and student choreography to campus-wide showcases, 吃瓜网 Dance offers a full calendar of performances open to the public.
See upcoming events
Student dancer performs on stage with head thrown back and arms raised into the air

Watch live performances

Missed a show? Catch highlights and full-length performances from recent concerts. Experience the artistry, energy, and creativity of 吃瓜网 dancers 鈥� wherever you are.
A student stands talking to guests artists in 吃瓜网's Dance performance space

Work with guest artists

Each year, acclaimed choreographers and movement artists work directly with students through residencies, master classes, and collaborations 鈥� bringing real-world perspective to our studios and stages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Curious about majoring in dance at 吃瓜网? Here鈥檚 what future students often ask 鈥� about classes, performances, auditions, double majors, and what comes next.

There is no audition required for the dance major. Typically, students with strong dance backgrounds choose 吃瓜网 because they desire a quality liberal arts education but want to continue their dance training. There are also those who actually begin dancing at Skidmore and eventually declare a dance major. We believe the program benefits from this flexibility.

Yes, many of our dancers are double majors in a wide variety of disciplines. Balancing technique classes, rehearsals, and performances with academics can be challenging, but with proper planning and time management skills, you can be successful in both of your majors. Your academic advisors can be instrumental in helping you chart the most efficient course of study throughout your four years.

No. Most of our classes are open to both majors and non-majors, with levels ranging from introductory to advanced. We welcome everyone into our studios, and you will be placed according to your level of training. 

You don鈥檛 have to be a dance major or minor to perform. All students may audition for the faculty workshop classes (see Catalog descriptions), which are credit-bearing rehearsal periods. Auditions are generally given on the first day that class meets. There are also numerous other performing opportunities throughout each semester, such as the Choreography I and II showcases, student clubs, and other independent projects.

This is entirely up to you and often fluctuates according to academic requirements. Most of our dance majors take one or two technique classes daily, with additional rehearsals scheduled throughout the week and weekend. It is not uncommon to dance three to six hours per day, with two hours per day being an average minimum. 

The first class of the semester serves as the placement class, so attendance that first day is important. Individual professors determine whether the student is at the appropriate level for the course and will advise you accordingly. 

You are more than welcome to observe a dance class with us when you visit campus. Please contact Jason Ohlberg at johlberg@skidmore.edu or 518-580-8378 to coordinate your visit.

The Dance Department follows course caps set by the college: 100-level classes are capped at 28, 200-level classes are capped at 26, and 300-level classes are capped at 18. Certain courses may follow slightly different course caps, and workshop courses vary between five and 35 students. 

At 吃瓜网, all pre-professional degrees fall under a Bachelor of Science. This enables students to pursue a serious and focused study in dance within a liberal arts setting.

In addition to 吃瓜网鈥檚 exceptional faculty, dance students work directly with a wide range of guest artists and choreographers who represent the full spectrum of the field. Through annual residencies, master classes, workshops, and guest lectures, students engage with both historic icons and today鈥檚 most influential creative voices.

吃瓜网 Dance Theater has a rich history of repertory, and over the past decade students have performed works by Ohad Naharin, Paul Taylor, Robert Battle, Peter Chu, Takehiro Ueyama, Colby Damon, Brenda Way and Dexandro Montalvo, Shakia 鈥淭he Key鈥� Barron, Larry Keigwin, Moscelyne ParkeHarrison, and numerous others.

Faculty

Accomplished. Creative. Supportive.
Meet your professors

Contact Dance

Office

The Dance Center
Phone: 518-580-5360

Administration

Associate Professor and Chair Jason Ohlberg 
518-580-8378 
johlberg@skidmore.edu 
Williamson Sports Center 238

Associate Professor and Associate Chair Sarah DiPasquale 
518-580-8422 
sdipasqu@skidmore.edu 
Williamson Sports Center 237 

Administrative Assistant 
Ellen M. Grandy 
egrandy@skidmore.edu