The Department of Dance at Columbia College is one of 51 institutions nationally accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD). The Department prepares students for careers in the performance, teaching, and administration of dance as a fine art.

The curriculum is firmly rooted in the study of dance technique. Daily technique classes are offered on three levels in ballet, modern dance, and a series of diversity classes each semester designed to broaden the student's understanding of world dance. The program is designed to give each student a strong foundation in choreography and performance. Courses in dance history, aesthetics, dance analysis, dance education, anatomy, kinesiology, physiology and music round out the curriculum.

Dance majors at Columbia College have the opportunity to interact with many of today's finest dancers and choreographers on the national scene. The dance faculty believes mentoring is essential for educating the next generation of artist educators. A strong student dance community creates a serious working environment among peers.

Guest Artists and Companies

An outstanding guest artist/company residency brings the best of contemporary dance to campus for residencies lasting from three days to two weeks. Guest choreographers in recent years have included:

• Laura Dean of Laura Dean Dancers and Musicians
  
• Randy James of Randy James Dance Works
  
• Shapiro and Smith of Shapiro and Smith Dance
  
• Lisa Wheeler
  
• Sean Curan

Guest artists and companies have included:

• Dance Alloy
  
• Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
  
• Joe Goode Performance Group
  
• Chuck Davis African-American Dance Ensemble
  
• Mark Haim
  
• Celeste Miller
  
• Nicholas Leichter

The department also regularly participates in the American Dance Festival Association Conferences and has hosted the Southeastern Regional Conference twice. Student performers have been invited to represent the region in Washington, DC, and have performed at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC.

SOSOHO

The SoSoHo Performance Series was established in 1987 by the Department of Dance to bring artistically excellent, cutting-edge dance to Columbia and the surrounding community. Since its inception, the series has showcased many of the major artists and rising stars on the national contemporary dance scene.

South Carolina Center for Dance Education

The South Carolina Center for Dance Education was established as a natural extension of the dance department's national leadership role in dance education. Founded in 1993 and based at Columbia College, the Center offers innovative and creative initiatives using dance and movement as a means to empower classroom teachers and energize dance specialists.

The Center is a collaboration between the South Carolina State Department of Education, the South Carolina Arts Commission, and Columbia College.

The Power Company

The Power Company is a newly created professional dance company at Columbia College directed by Martha Brim, professor of dance. The group was developed to create and preserve some of contemporary dance's most cutting-edge repertory.