Dance, Minor - COLA, UNH

Undergraduate

Dance

Develop your artistry through diverse dance styles from classical ballet and jazz to contemporary and aerial dance, while gaining practical experience in dance history and choreography.
2026
Degree
Minor
Location
Durham, NH
Courses
5
Credit
20 hrs.
Full-time
- -
Part-time
- -
Dance students wearing red, doing aerial dance

Theater and Dance

The Dance minor at UNH offers students from any discipline a strong foundation in both movement and creative process. Through technique classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and aerial dance—paired with coursework in choreography, dance pedagogy, and dance history—students gain tools to explore dance as both an art form and a mode of communication.

With multiple performance opportunities annually and guidance from a distinguished faculty, the minor supports careers in performance, choreography, education or interdisciplinary arts. 

Department of Theater and Dance

Contact Cards

Paul Creative Arts Center, Room Dbi22ab, Durham, NH 03824
(603) 862-3038

What is dance?

The Dance Minor at UNH is a dynamic complement to any major, offering students a well-rounded introduction to the art of dance. This program provides a comprehensive curriculum in dance technique, theory, and performance, allowing students to develop artistic and professional skills in a supportive environment.  With its comprehensive curriculum and rich performance opportunities, the Dance Minor equips students to pursue their passion for dance while enhancing career prospects in both artistic and interdisciplinary fields. 

Why study dance at UNH?

Dance Minors at UNH have the opportunity to study diverse dance styles, including Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, and Aerial Dance. The program also includes courses in dance history, choreography, composition, and pedagogy, as well as innovative offerings like Dance Technology (Compocinema) and Famous Dancers of the 21st Century. Students are encouraged to participate in the department’s extensive annual performances, such as the UNH Dance Company Concert, Ballet Showcases, and Aerial Dance Showcases. Professional development opportunities include internships, guest artist workshops, and study-abroad experiences like The London Experience, which explores the intersections of theatre, dance, and culture. 

Potential career areas

  • Performance
  • Choreography
  • Dance Education
  • Arts Administration
  • Dance and Movement Therapy

Curriculum & Requirements

01
Program Description
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The Dance Minor at UNH is a dynamic complement to any major, offering students a well-rounded introduction to the art of dance. This program provides a comprehensive curriculum in dance technique, theory, and performance, allowing students to develop artistic and professional skills in a supportive environment. With its comprehensive curriculum and rich performance opportunities, the Dance Minor equips students to pursue their passion for dance while enhancing career prospects in both artistic and interdisciplinary fields.

Dance Minors at UNH have the opportunity to study diverse dance styles, including Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, and Aerial Dance. The program also includes courses in dance history, choreography, composition and pedagogy, as well as innovative offerings like Dance Technology (Compocinema) and Famous Dancers of the 21st Century.

Students are encouraged to participate in the department’s extensive annual performances, such as the UNH Dance Company Concert, Ballet Showcases, and Aerial Dance Showcases. Professional development opportunities include internships, guest artist workshops, and study-abroad experiences like The London Experience, which explores the intersections of theatre, dance, and culture.

Contact Gay Nardone, (603) 862-1728

02
Requirements for the Program
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Academic policies related to Minors.

Students who major in Theatre or one of its theatre options may minor in Dance provided no more than 8 credits are used to satisfy both major and minor requirements.

Required Courses

Select up to 16 credits from the following:16
THDA 462
Ballet I
THDA 562
Ballet II
THDA 662
Ballet III
THDA 463
Theatre Dance I
THDA 563
Theatre Dance II
THDA 663
Theatre Dance III
THDA 665
Aerial DanceII
THDA 576
Pointe
Select at least 4 credits from the following: 14
THDA 633
Dance Composition
THDA 564
Compocinema
THDA 732
Choreography
THDA 786
Dance Pedagogy
Total Credits20
1

Courses in this section are taught on a rotational basis and are not offered every semester. Students are encouraged to fulfill this requirement by the end of their Junior year. Course substitutions in this section are not permitted.