About

The Dance Department at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers a broad and balanced curriculum that prepares students for a variety of careers in dance, as well as intensive studies in specific areas of interest. The program's multicultural emphasis sets it apart from other dance programs, offering technique classes in Ballet, Modern, Mexican Folklorico, and Flamenco. Through the certified teacher preparation program, dance educators are trained in dance technique, choreography, and instructional methods in a wide range of dance styles that reflect the cultural heritage of the region. At UTRGV, dance is most prominently displayed through the dance performance companies. Among the most active and distinguished groups on the UTRGV campus is the nationally and internationally recognized Ballet Folklorico. We provide live dance concerts, performances, lecture demonstrations, workshops, and expertise to the broader community, the state, and the nation through the Ballet Folklorico, the Dance Ensemble, the Ballet Company, and the Ballet Español.

History

Dance at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (The University of Texas-Pan American, UTPA, prior to the Fall of 2015) was originally housed in the Department of Health and Kinesiology in the early 1950’s. Two student dance organizations, Ballet Folklorico and eventually the Dance Ensemble, allowed students to engage in dance practice and performance prior to dance becoming a degree-granting program. In May 1998, an 18-hour dance specialization was approved as a content area with the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree. In May 2001, the U.T. Board of Regents approved the establishment of a Bachelor of Science in Dance degree in UTPA’s College of Education’s Department of Health and Kinesiology, offering two degree tracks and a minor in dance: the Dance Degree Plan (Teacher Certification), and the Dance Degree Plan (Performance). In 2004, the two degree tracks changed from Bachelor of Science degrees to Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Dance. In the fall of 2015, with the creation of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), the Dance Program became part of the UTRGV College of Fine Arts. In 2020, two new Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance degree programs were introduced: BFA in Dance and BFA in Dance (Mexican Dance). In addition to the new BFA programs, two revised Bachelor of Arts in Dance degrees are available: BA in Dance (Teacher Certification) and a liberal arts BA in Dance, which provides the flexibility for study in other areas while majoring in dance. In 2021, the Dance Program experienced a title change from Dance Program to Dance Department.

Facilities and More

Dance Studio 3 PAC B1.135

The facilities of the Dance Program include three spacious dance studios, an intimate 300-seat Jeffers Theatre, a Library Auditorium, and a newly constructed 1,000 seat Performing Arts Center.

Dance Studios

Dance Studio #1 EHPE II.133

Dance Studio #2 EHPE II.117

Dance Studio #3 PAC B1.135

Performing Arts Center

Jeffers Theatre

The Department supports four Dance companies specializing in Ballet Folklórico, Ballet, Flamenco and Modern Dance. These companies undertake numerous public concerts.

The Dance Department has A strong record of community engagement, especially with public school dance programs.

Students have the opportunity to present at regional American College Dance Association Conferences.

The UTRGV Ballet Folklórico Company have performed in four ACDA South-Central Regional Gala concerts and were also selected to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in National Gala Concerts in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018. In 2018, the company was honored with the distinction of being selected to perform at the historically famous Jacob's Pillow Summer Festival.

In 2013, UTRGV dance faculty, Min Kim's work Bitter Sorrow was selected for the ACDA South-Central Regional ACDA Gala concert. In 2015, BA dance major, Courtney Wantland's work Fin was selected for the ACDA South-Central Regional Gala concert.

Many UTRGV Dance graduates are employed as dance educators in several school districts and private dance studios throughout South Texas and beyond. Others have advanced to complete graduate studies earning MFA and MA degrees in Dance. Jessica Peña (BA, 2014) is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Performance as Public Practice in the University of Texas at Austin's Department of Theatre and Dance.

Former BA and BFA dancers Erick Perales (BA, 2019) and Lupe Garza (BFA, 2020) are dancers in the NYC based dance company, Ballet Nepantla. https://www.balletnepantla.com/

Raul Passamentt (BFA - Mexican Dance, 2022) and Jennifer Lozano (BA, 2017) are dancers with Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández based in México City. https://www.balletfolkloricodemexico.com.mx/

The Alumni Dance Company was established in 2018 by Assistant Professor, Miguel Peña and is showcased in the summer Ballet Folklórico production, Leyendas. Money generated through ticket sales goes towards the Francisco Muñoz Endowed Scholarship to benefit future dance majors that pursue a study of Méxican Ballet Folklórico dance.

In collaboration with the Director of the Center of Latin American Arts, Katherine McAllen, Dance faculty member, Sonia Chapa, was awarded the Alice Kieberg Reynolds grant in the amount of $20,000 in 2022 for the A La Música y Arte Project. The project includes productions and presentations of flamenco dance concerts, Latin American music workshops, and student art exhibitions in the Rio Grande Valley. Funds are also being used to cover expenses of UTRGV students and faculty travels to Madrid, Spain to study flamenco music and dance.

About

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History

Facilities and More