Commercial Dance

A BFA in Commercial Dance allows majors to focus on dance and performance studies. The curriculum has more intensive requirements for dance courses than a BA in Dance, and students complete most coursework within the Dance department. The curriculum spans ballet, contemporary dance, composition, choreography, and other styles to refine technique and self-expression.  

Requirements for the commercial dance major include the following:

• Entrance audition
• 7A total of 83 credits in core major courses in dance technique, theory, and history
• First-Year Program and general education curriculum
• 30 total liberal arts credits fulfilling Bachelor of Fine Arts
• Participation and attendance at on-campus dance performances
• Senior project

General education courses develop the critical thinking, communication, and research skills that apply to virtually any profession. Intensive dance training prepares students for the high standards and creativity of a professional life in dance. Together, they lead to careers in dance performance, choreography, and the industry's business side. 

Review requirements for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance.

 

Courses

The commercial dance program helps you discover and develop your style through individualized instruction, experimentation, and technique. Intensive rehearsal schedules with professional choreographers deepen your practice and allow you to collaborate in a supportive setting. 

The BFA in Commercial Dance curriculum includes: 

• Contemporary 
• Ballet
• Jazz 
• Tap 
• Hip Hop 
• Acting 
• Partnering 
• Dance for Musical Theatre 
• Dance History : Global Contexts 
• Dance Pedagogy 
• Dance on Camera 
• Choreography 
• Creative Process 
• Senior Thesis Seminar I & II
• Performance Project: Guest Choreographer
• Introduction to Music Theory 
• Voice Class Instruction 
• Applied Kinesiology for P.E. and Sport Performance 
• Production Practicum Stage Crew 
• Concepts in Scene Design 
• Stagecraft : Sets and Lights
• Lighting Design 
• Costume Design 
• Playwriting 

While fewer in number than a BA in Dance, general education courses help bridge your creativity to the real world by giving you the broad-based knowledge and analytical skills needed to excel. Round out your major in commercial dance with the practical tools for leading a dance company to success, with specialized dance industry preparation helping you learn how to market yourself and succeed in the arts.

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Career Outcomes with a Commercial Dance BFA

A BFA in Commercial Dance allows more concentrated studies on choreography, technique, and dance styles than other dance majors. Though students take academic courses in other disciplines, the bulk of their credit hours are devoted to dance classes and gaining professional experience through auditions, rehearsals, and performances. 

Commercial dance majors embark on entertainment, media, film, music, and theater careers as dancers, choreographers, consultants, curators, and creative directors. Others may use their artistic background and specialized advertising, marketing, production, and education skills. 

 

Graduates of the program can find work in:

• Dance companies
• Performance arts organizations
• Theme parks and cruise lines
• TV and film studios
• Production companies
• Event management 
• Arts management 
• Dance studios and schools

 

Where Our Dancers Go

Across Manahttanville’s dance programs, our graduates go on to work and perform with respected dance and performance companies in New York City and worldwide. Graduates of our dance majors have gone on to dance with:

• Martha Graham Dance Company
• Lori Belilove & The Isadora Duncan Dance Company
• Boston Dance Theater
• Matthew Westerby Company
• Shift Dance Company
• Dance Visions New York
• Eryc Taylor Dance
• Teresa Fellion Dance

Whether you want to dance, choreograph, or both, hone your craft with the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance degree program. Students have even gone on to create their own dance companies and pursue graduate programs in dance.

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Rehearsals and Performances

Commercial dance majors participate in mainstage productions of the musical theatre department, participate in campus festivals, and continue to hone their craft in dance-focused student clubs and organizations. Auditions are available for dances and performances throughout the year, both within the dance department and in other Fine and Performing Arts programs. 

Guest choreographers offer students many opportunities to learn and perform under the guidance of industry leaders. Dance concerts and showcases put on by these guest choreographers require an intense rehearsal schedule and are staged to fit the tech standards of a professional production. Commercial dance majors also present a senior project highlighting their development as artists.

 

Our exceptional performance spaces include:

• Little Theatre: Mainstage performance space for musicals, dance concerts, and more
• The EX Theatre: A black box space used for experimental theatre, workshops, and events
• Reid Castle: Historical castle used as a backdrop for Manhattanville’s annual Shakespeare Festival
• Pius X Hall: Performance space for dance recitals and workshops
• Berman Theatre Dance Studio: State-of-the-art dance studio with theatre conversion
• Berman Dance Studio: Smaller, wood sprung floor equipped with ballet barres

 

Dance Internships and Networking Opportunities

While most of your time will be spent in dance classes and rehearsals with fellow dance students and commercial dance professors, Manhattanville’s Center for Career Development can help you find more opportunities to enhance your resume and complete real-world experiences.

Dance students at Manhattanville have had help securing and completing internships with agencies, companies, and organizations, including:

• Dance on Camera Festival at Lincoln Center
• Peridance Center
• Gibney Dance Center
• Brooklyn of Academy of Music 

Every semester in the BFA in Commercial Dance, you will meet and network with top professional dancers and choreographers. In technique masterclasses and during preparations for semester performances, guest artists will collaborate with you and improve your connections with real-world dancers. Recent guest artists include:

• Michael Trusnovec (Paul Taylor Dance Company)
• Yoshito Sakuraba (Abarukas Dance Company)
• Candace Brown (Hip Hop, Commercial Choreographer)
• Cameron McKinney (Kizuna Dance Company)
• Larry Goldhuber (Bill T. Jones Dance Company)
• Max Stone (Steps/Peridance Center)
• Julia Ehrstrant (Peridance Center)
• Lauren Grant (Mark Morris Dance Group)
• Leah Ives (Trisha Brown Dance Company)
• Shannon Gillen (VimVigor Dance Company)
• Michaela McGowan (Broadway Dance Center)

 

Dance Teams and Student Organizations

Explore other ways to bring dance to life by joining dance teams and student organizations. Extracurriculars emphasize teamwork, tap into your leadership skills, and look great on a performance resume. They are also fun! Dance teams bond by performing at campus-wide events, holding their own showcases, attending performances in New York City, and practicing global and urban genres. 

Some of these clubs require an audition, while others are open to all students: 

• Broadway at Manhattanville (B@M)
• K-Pop Dance Crew (KDC)
• Latin Fusion Dance Team
• Manhattanville Dance Ensemble (MDE)
• Manhattanville Dance Troupe
• Minds in Motions (MIMO, our hip-hop dance team)
• Royalty Steppers Step Team

Explore Manhattanville’s numerous student clubs and organizations.

 

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Our performance arts programs provide rigorous training, hands-on experiences, and a supportive environment to help you grow as an artist. They also equip you with the tools to forge your dream career, by giving you the practical tools to succeed on the stage and in other aspects of the industry like production, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship. 

If you are interested in a BFA in Commercial Dance, you may also be interested in the following bachelor’s degree programs: 

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Musical Theatre
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art (Studio)

Review a complete list of Manhattanville undergraduate programs.

 

Manhattanville’s flexible and experience-driven approach to dance education allows students to pursue a career that fits their passions. Students can add a double major or minor in one of our Fine and Performing Arts programs or in a subject just as interesting to them.

Dance Minor Requirements

Dance Minor: 19 credits

 

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Entrance Audition and Admissions

The commercial dance audition is an opportunity to demonstrate your unique talent and understanding of technique. It also gives future instructors a holistic vision of who you are. Alongside your Manhattanville application, faculty also use the audition to evaluate your skill level and potential and recommend scholarship awards to incoming students.

All applicants must audition for the BFA in Commercial Dance program. Auditions must be in-person if they live within 100 miles of Manhattanville University. They can submit their audition electronically through the ACCEPTD portal if they are located beyond that limit. The audition should be completed the spring before the fall semester of an applicant’s first year of college. 

The audition requirements are as follows:

• Dance resume detailing when, where, and how long you have trained, performance experience, and any other skills you may have.
• Headshot and/or photo.
• Transcripts from most recent schooling.
• Two-minute dance piece in modern dance, ballet, or jazz.
• Dance can be performed with or without music. Please bring your own recording.
• Choreography and choreographer are your choice.
• Wear comfortable and appropriate clothing. 

 

Apply to the BFA in Commercial Dance at Manhattanville

Explore the possibilities of a professional dance career with the BFA in Commercial Dance program at Manhattanville University. Train under expert faculty and expand your network by taking classes with professional choreographers—complete industry-relevant internships in the world's dance capital—New York City. Refine your technique, acquire practical career skills, and gain the performance experience to set yourself up for success.

Review Manhattanville undergraduate admissions information and learn more about the audition process and portfolio requirements

 

Explore Financial Aid

Manhattanville University has a track record of removing financial barriers to our education—98% of our students receive financial aid. We work with you to secure awards, grants, federal and state aid, loans, and other types of assistance, including fine and performing arts scholarships. 

Learn more about our tuition and fees and explore the financial aid and scholarships we offer. 

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