"I came to Luther to study biology, but couldn't imagine my life without dance. I was thrilled that the liberal arts allowed me to pursue both of these passions."

-Deveny Miles '17

The dance minor at Luther is for the student who is continuing their study of dance, re-entering dance, or dancing for the first time. Luther supports a radical and progressive approach to that end through Movement Fundamentals, a dance curriculum that nurtures the birthright of moving efficiently, often, and creatively.

Luther offers a dance minor through the Visual & Performing Arts Department, and provides a specialized track in Movement Fundamentals through an Individualized Interdisciplinary Major.

Why Study Dance at Luther?

Dance at Luther focuses on learning the body and developing movement practices. These practices prepare our students for careers in dance or any other field.

Our program promotes respect for all body types and abilities. Dance students develop understanding of body, selfhood, and connection to others in relationship to research, practice, and performance.

Dance at Luther has given many students unique opportunities:

• Contact Improvistion Iowa has chosen Luhter for its annual gathering in 2017. 25 pre-professional and professional dancers participated.
• Four dance students were accepted into Florence Summer Dance Pre-profesional Intensive in Italy, both in 2016 and 2017.
• 13 dance students presented and performed their work at the American College Dance Association in 2017.
• 3 students presented and performed at Performatica International Movement & Dance conference in Mexico.

"Adaptation, improvisation, observation, and creativity – these concepts were not only staples of the material in every dance course, but were practiced in a variety of environments and with a variety of intentions." -Sara Monde '15

Collaborative Productions

The dance program at Luther produces two evening-length dance productions devised by the dance faculty in collaboration with student dance artists every year. We have open auditions and/or interviews for all faculty dance productions. We also support a variety of student-produced dance concerts, events, performances, and co-curricular and curricular dance happenings for all levels of dance enthusiasts and artists.

What Happens After Graduation?

You dance! There are many career paths dancers can take. Dance alumni become dance artists, dance or movement teachers, or continue on to become dance scholars. Dance alumni pursue graduate and professional studies, certification and employment in: performance; choreography; dance or movement education; dance curators; dance studio or company management; somatic movement practices; somatic psychology; movement, dance, creative arts, or massage therapy; medicine; chiropractic arts; and much, much more.