Hartsville’s Coker College to offer state’s only BFA program for dance

Hartsville’s Coker College to offer state’s only BFA program for dance

Coker College in Hartsville, S.C., will launch a new Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance for Fall 2014.  The new degree, which will be offered in addition to the current Bachelor of Arts program and dance minor, will make Coker the only school in South Carolina with a BFA program for dance.

“The establishment of a BFA in dance at Coker affords us the opportunity to leverage the rigor already in our program, along with the talents and skills of our faculty, to provide an exceptional course of study for current and future students,” said Coker College Provost Tracy Parkinson.

With nearly twice the amount of required credit hours, the BFA will be a more rigorous degree than the BA. Three specialized degree tracks will help students hone and polish their raw skills, while personalized, professional training will give BFA students even more opportunities to choreograph and perform—all while fostering close ties with faculty and other students.

“I am very excited that Coker is now offering this degree,” said Angela M. Gallo, associate professor of dance and coordinator of the dance program.  “This will give our students a tremendous opportunity. We are also happy to be starting the K-12 certification in dance, as it will fill a void in this area of the state.”

Approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Coker’s program will offer three specialized degree tracks: Performance and Choreography, Dance/Movement Therapies and Dance Education (with K-12 certification to begin Fall 2015). The selection of an emphasis area allows the dance major to tailor the BFA program to his or her personal career goals.

Students are required to audition for the BFA program and can apply online at coker.edu/apply-now.

For more information, contact Angela M. Gallo at (843) 383-8381 or agallo@coker.edu.

Images: Coker College

The dance major at Coker College offers students a broad range of courses that prepare them for several career options in dance and provides opportunities for students to enter into advanced professional dance training.  The mission of the dance program, within the context of a liberal arts degree program, ensures graduates are prepared both for performance-related work and for additional study at the graduate level.

Via: Coker College