History and Mission
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 housed in UTPA’s College of Education’s Department of Health and Kinesiology offering 2 degree tracks and minor in dance: Dance Degree Plan (Teacher Certification), 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 2008, the Dance Program was moved to the College of Arts and Humanities and a new Department of Music and Dance was created. 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, 2 new Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance degree programs were introduced: BFA in Dance and BFA in Dance (Mexican Dance Concentration). In addition to the new BFA programs, 2 revised Bachelor of Arts in Dance degrees are available: BA in Dance (Teacher Certification) and BA in Dance with flexibility of study in other areas provided by 18 free electives. In 2021, the Dance Program experienced a title change from Dance Program to Dance Department.
Mission
The 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.