Skip to main content
  • About
    • Dean's Welcome
    • Maps & Directions
  • Academic Programs
  • UTRGV ARTS
    • Rio Grande Youth Symphony
    • Festiba
  • Schools and Departments
    • School of Art and Design
    • Creative Writing Department
    • School of Music
    • Department of Theatre
    • Dance Department
  • Research
    • The UTRGV Center for Latin American Arts
  • Resources
    • Student Resources
    • Faculty & Staff Resources
DIRECTORY
MAPS
MYUTRGV
UTRGV
The University of Texas
Rio Grande Valley
DIRECTORY
MAPS
MYUTRGV
News
GIVE
Open Search Menu
Menu
utrgv logo
College of Fine Arts
Division of Academic Affairs
  • About
    ▼
    About  Square placeholder image 300px
    About

    Explore creativity at UTRGV's College of Fine Arts – a vibrant hub for artistic expression and innovation. Unleash your passion and talent with expert guidance in a dynamic learning environment.

    • Dean's Welcome
    • Maps & Directions
  • Academic Programs
  • UTRGV ARTS
    ▼
    UTRGV ARTS Square placeholder image 300px
    UTRGV ARTS

    Explore UTRGV's community initiatives promoting literacy, culture, and the arts in the Rio Grande Valley. Learn about FESTIBA and UTRGV ARTS events. all designed to engage the community through visual and performing arts, theatre, dance, music, and creative writing.

    • Rio Grande Youth Symphony
    • Festiba
  • Schools and Departments
    ▼
    Schools and Departments Square placeholder image 300px
    Schools and Departments

    UTRGV's College of Fine Arts is where aspiring creatives come to be inspired. Distributed across two locations in Brownsville and Edinburg, the College of Fine Arts is comprised of the School of Art and Design, the School of Music, the Department of Theatre, the Department of Dance, and the Department of Creative Writing. Learn more about our programs and the endless possibilities for artistic expression that await you.

    • School of Art and Design
    • Creative Writing Department
    • School of Music
    • Department of Theatre
    • Dance Department
  • Research
    ▼
    Research Square placeholder image 300px
    Research

    The Center for Latin American Arts advances scholarship, performances, and the exhibition of arts in the popular, folk, and academic traditions from the United States and Spanish and Portuguese speaking worlds.

    • The UTRGV Center for Latin American Arts
  • Resources
    ▼
    Resources Square placeholder image 300px
    Resources

    Explore UTRGV's College of Fine Arts resources for students and faculty, including scholarships, grants, study abroad, academic advising, and research support. Learn about funding opportunities, ensemble policies, travel grants, application processes, and guidelines. Access essential resources for academic growth, creative activities, and institutional support at UTRGV’s comprehensive student and faculty resource pages.

    • Student Resources
    • Faculty & Staff Resources
Dances perform on stage

Dance Department

Hexagons
  • Home
  • Schools and Departments
  • Dance Department
In This Section
Menu

Dance Department Menu

  • About Dance
  • Current Student Resources
  • UTRGV Dance Companies
  • Dance Department Faculty
  • Dance Department Staff
  • Tickets and Events

Contact Us

Dana Shackelford
Department Chair
Dance Department
EHPE II, Room 115
dana.shackelford@utrgv.edu
(956) 665-2230

Zeydy Garza
Program Specialist
Dance Department
zeydy.garza@utrgv.edu
(956) 665-2230


Mission

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Dance Department’s mission is to provide a broad coverage of dance training, including dance technique and performance skills, choreography, historical and cultural dimensions of dance, and principles of teaching. Students will be prepared to teach dance in a public/private school setting, or to continue dance study at the graduate level or in the professional dance context. 

Vision

To be a leader in educating dancers through degree offerings, pedagogy and practical experience while providing a foundation influenced by regional culture. As a center for dance in the Americas, the Dance program will promote bilingual, bicultural, and biliterate education in an environment committed to a disciplined excellence unhampered by physical or cultural borders. 

Accreditation

The Dance Department is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).

Student Handbook
Technique Proficiency Outcomes

2025 BFA PROGRAM AUDITION

Auditions for both BFA in Dance Degree Programs will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025, on the Edinburg campus, EHPE 2.133  For more information, please contact:

BFA in Dance Program Coordinator: Min Kim min.kim@utrgv.edu 

BFA in Dance (Mexican Dance) Program Coordinator: Miguel Pena miguel.pena@utrgv.edu

Academic Programs

Bachelor's

Dancers performing a ballet on stage

Bachelor's Degree

Dance (BA)

Bachelor of Arts in Dance

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor’s degree in Dance provides a broad coverage of dance training, including dance technique, improvisational and choreographic skills, music for dancers, historical and cultural dimensions of dance, dance production, dance science, and theories of dance. The Dance Department provides students with the opportunity to prepare for a variety of dance careers, offering both a broad base of study and an opportunity for more intensive work in areas of specific interest. 

HERO IMAGE PENDING

Bachelor's Degree

Dance (BFA)

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor’s degree in Dance emphasizes training in dance performance and choreographic skills. This degree is designed to provide students with a broad and thorough base of dance technique training and performance experience to prepare for continued study at the graduate level or to enter the dance field in a professional capacity. 

Big group of dancers performing folklorico on stage with colorful background

Bachelor's Degree

Dance - Teacher Certification (BA)

Bachelor of Arts in Dance - Teacher Certification

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor’s degree in Dance provides a broad coverage of dance training, including dance technique, improvisational and choreographic skills, music for dancers, historical and cultural dimensions of dance, dance production, dance science, and theories of dance. The Dance Department provides students with the opportunity to prepare for a variety of dance careers, offering both a broad base of study and an opportunity for more intensive work in areas of specific interest. 

Contact College of Fine Arts


Brownsville

BMSLC 2.210
Email: cofa@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-2175

Edinburg

ELABS 334
Email: cofa@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-2175

Find us on Social Media


LIKE. FOLLOW. SUBSCRIBE. ADD.


UTRGV
  • CARES, CRRSAA and ARP Reporting
  • Site Policies
  • Required Links
  • Accreditation Statement
  • Fraud Reporting
  • Senate Bill 18
  • Clery Act Reports
  • Web Accessibility
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Sexual Misconduct Policy
  • Reporting Sexual Misconduct
  • Contact UTRGV
  • 1-844-ATUTRGV
  • Facebook
  • X Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Academics
  • Admissions
  • Cost and Financial Aid
  • Student Life
  • Search Programs
  • First-Year Students
  • Transfer
  • International Students
  • Graduate Students
  • Current Students
  • Faculty Resources
  • Staff Resources
  • UTRGV Careers
  • Visit Campus
  • Directory
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley