Dance
Five College Dance comprises the dance departments of our member campuses, with each offering its own distinctive program while collaborating as a uniquely rich inter-campus consortium with abundant possibilities for dance students.
Please see our faculty openings including Joint Lecturer for Dance of Africa and African Diaspora on our announcement page.
Boats Leaving, choreographed by Doug Varone, 2019 UMass Amherst Fall Faculty Concert. Photo by Derek Fowles.
On This Page
Mission
Five College Dance advances embodied practice as a critical mode of inquiry, expression, and civic engagement across cultural and historical contexts. We cultivate new generations of artists, scholars, and practitioners to shape the field of dance and dance studies.
Historical
Established in 1978, Five College Dance (FCD) is a creative and intellectual collaboration organized between the dance departments and programs at Amherst, Hampshire, Smith, Mount Holyoke Colleges and University of Massachusetts Amherst. A community of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, musical accompanists, visiting scholars and artists, we create and amplify access to rich, varied artistic and academic opportunities in dance.
Our House, choreographed by Shakia Barron, 2018 Mount Holyoke Fall Faculty Concert. Photo by Charles Flachs.
Our member dance departments and programs collaborate by:
- Coordinating a shared undergraduate dance curriculum with diversely trained faculty and varied course offerings in dance technique, performance, composition and theory
- Producing at least one major repertory project most years, open to all five college students
- Providing performance opportunities on each campus for all five college students
- Opening the great majority of campuses’ events, workshops, professionalization opportunities, masterclasses, residencies, symposia, and field trips to all five college students
Reflect/Respond: A Limón Dance Legacy Concert at UMass Amherst, 2019. Photo by Derek Fowles.
Five College Dance Provides
- Production management and technical supervision for all FCD concerts, events, and auditions, as well as for any FCD contributions to the annual American College Dance Association conference.
- Annual production workshop for students producing their own shows, plus additional production-related learning opportunities
- Annual lecture by a major scholar and/or artist in the field
- Annual concert with a faculty- and guest-choreographed work submitted from each school, featuring students from all campuses
- News from the departments, FCD, and alumni
- Masterclasses from professional dance artists on the UMass Center for Fine Arts season
- Centralized communication hub (social media, listserv, website) to share with students and faculty dance-related events, professional opportunities, news, and programs from the campuses, FCD, the local community, and beyond
- Coordination and facilitation of musician accompanists for most campuses’ technique classes
- Photographing and archiving professional photos of FCD performances and events
- Collaborations with non-dance departments/units and external arts organizations
- Support for the work of individual departments, students, and faculty that benefit the consortium
Links to Campus Dance Programs
Dance Course Grid & New Classes
Please check the college course websites for the most up to date listings. Not that if you don't see classes from all campuses currently listed, they will appear as the campuses release their course schedules for the semester. The five campuses release their schedules on different dates. Visit this page for specific dates.
Bollywood with Chavi Bansal
DANCE 147, Mon & Wed at 11:30 - 12:45, Studio Theater, Mt Holyoke
This Bollywood dance course primarily focuses on teaching the techniques, styles, and cultural aspects of Bollywood dance originating from India. Throughout the course, students will build a solid foundation in rhythm, coordination, strength, and stamina, applicable to various dance styles. The focus will be on fundamental footwork, grooves, rhythm patterns, and expressive hand gestures that define Bollywood dance, enhancing capabilities with precision and grace. By focusing on these fundamental aspects, participants will not only develop their skills in Bollywood dance but also enhance their abilities across styles.
Fall 2023 Dance Courses: Graduate Courses
| Subject | Course # | Sect # | Course Title | Instructor(s) | Institution | Meeting Times |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAN | 521 | 01 | Choreography/Creative Process | Angie Hauser | Smith College | TU TH 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
| DAN | 540 | 01 | History & Literature of Dance | Olive Demar | Smith College | M 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM |
Fall 2023 Dance Courses: Technique
| Subject | Course # | Sect # | Course Title | Instructor(s) | Institution | Meeting Times |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THDA | 120H | 01 | Dance: Beg./Int. Ballet | Eleanor Goudie-Averill | Amherst College | M/W | 12:30 PM - 1:50 PM |
| THDA | 122H | 01 | Beg./Int. Hip Hop | Djeffrey Jean-Philippe | Amherst College | M/W | 2:00 PM - 3:20 PM |
| THDA | 145H | 01 | Dance: Beg./Int. Jazz | Francesca Baron | Amherst College | TU/TH | 2:30 PM - 3:50 PM |
| THDA | 315H | 01 | Dance: Adv. Contemporary | Jenna Riegel | Amherst College | TU/TH | 4:00 PM - 5:20 PM |
| CSI | 0128 | 1 | Choreographies of Protest | Amy Jordan | Hampshire College | 01:00PM-02:20PM M;01:00PM-02:20PM W |
| HACU | 0145 | 1 | Moving, Making, Meaning | Lailye Weidman | Hampshire College | 10:30AM-11:50AM TU;10:30AM-11:50AM TH |
| DANCE | 107 | 01 | Intro to Ballet & Modern | Chavi Bansal | Mount Holyoke College | TTH 03:15PM-04:30PM |
| DANCE | 127 | 01 | Renaissance & Baroque Dance | Nona Monahin,Margaret Pash | Mount Holyoke College | TH 07:15PM-08:45PM |
| DANCE | 133 | 01 | Introduction to Breakin' | Andres Ramirez | Mount Holyoke College | MW 11:30AM-12:45PM |
| DANCE | 133 | 02 | Introduction to Breakin' | Andres Ramirez | Mount Holyoke College | MW 01:45PM-03:00PM |
| DANCE | 147 | 01 | Bollywood Dance | Chavi Bansal | Mount Holyoke College | MW 11:30AM-12:45PM |
| DANCE | 216MA | 01 | Intermediate Modern | Chavi Bansal | Mount Holyoke College | MW 10:00AM-11:15AM |
| DANCE | 219 | 01 | Intermediate Improvisation | Chavi Bansal | Mount Holyoke College | TTH 01:45PM-03:00PM |
| DANCE | 234 | 01 | House Dance | Shakia Barron | Mount Holyoke College | TTH 01:45PM-03:00PM |
| DANCE | 272QF | 01 | Queer & Feminist Performance | Meredith Bove | Mount Holyoke College | MW 11:30AM-12:45PM |
| DANCE | 305CR | 01 | Repertory: Contemporary | Eleanor Goudie-Averill | Mount Holyoke College | MW 06:00PM-09:00PM |
| DANCE | 305RM | 01 | Repertory: Modern | Barbie Diewald | Mount Holyoke College | TTH 06:00PM-09:00PM |
| DANCE | 305ST | 01 | Repertory: Street Styles | Shakia Barron | Mount Holyoke College | F 01:00PM-04:00PM |
| DANCE | 318 | 01 | Advanced Modern | Barbie Diewald | Mount Holyoke College | TTH 10:30AM-11:45AM |
| DANCE | 325 | 01 | Advanced Ballet | Barbie Diewald | Mount Holyoke College | TTH 09:00AM-10:15AM |
| DAN | 101sf | 01 | T-Studio:Strength&Flexibility | Yun Lee | Smith College | M W F 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
| DAN | 114 | 01 | Beginning Contemporary Dance 2 | Gabriella Jae Carmichael | Smith College | W F 9:25 AM - 10:40 AM |
| DAN | 119 | 01 | Beginning Contact Improv | Gabrielle Revlock | Smith College | M W 9:25 AM - 10:40 AM |
| DAN | 120 | 01 | Beginning Ballet 1 | Caitlin Angela Canty | Smith College | M W 10:50 AM - 12:05 PM |
| DAN | 121 | 01 | Beginning Ballet 2 | Gabriella Jae Carmichael | Smith College | TU TH 1:20 PM - 2:35 PM |
| DAN | 130 | 01 | Beginning Jazz Dance | Niki A. Farahani | Smith College | M W 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM |
| DAN | 133 | 01 | Dance for Every Body | Maddy Sher,Laura Pattee David | Smith College | TU TH 1:20 PM - 2:35 PM |
| DAN | 142wa | 01 | T-West African Dance | Alpha Kaba | Smith College | TU TH 4:10 PM - 5:25 PM |
| DAN | 144 | 01 | Tango I | Laura Grandi | Smith College | M W 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
| DAN | 146 | 01 | Beginner Hip Hop Dance | Daniel Guzman | Smith College | M W 10:50 AM - 12:05 PM |
| DAN | 215 | 01 | Intermed Contemporary Dance 1 | Angie Hauser | Smith College | TU TH 1:10 PM - 2:35 PM |
| DAN | 219 | 01 | Intermediate Contact Improv | Chris Aiken | Smith College | W F 10:50 AM - 12:15 PM |
| DAN | 222 | 01 | Intermediate Ballet 1 | Rodger Fleming Blum | Smith College | M W 9:25 AM - 10:40 AM |
| DAN | 324 | 01 | Advanced Ballet 1 | Rodger Fleming Blum | Smith College | TU TH 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM |
| DAN | 327 | 01 | Advanced Pointe Technique | Eleanor Goudie-Averill | Smith College | M 3:05 PM - 4:30 PM |
| DANCE | 113 | 01 | Modern Dance I | Duane Holland, Jr | UMass Amherst | TU TH 10:00AM 11:15AM |
| DANCE | 120 | 01 | Ballet I | Thomas Vacanti | UMass Amherst | M W F 12:20PM 1:10PM |
| DANCE | 130 | 01 | Jazz Dance I | Lauren Cox | UMass Amherst | TU TH 11:30AM 12:45PM |
| DANCE | 191P | 01 | S- Hip Hop | Duane Holland, Jr | UMass Amherst | TU TH 1:00PM 2:15PM |
| DANCE | 215 | 01 | Modern Dance III | UMass Amherst | TU TH 4:00PM 5:15PM | |
| DANCE | 222 | 01 | Ballet III | Thomas Vacanti | UMass Amherst | M W F 1:25PM 2:15PM |
| DANCE | 305 | 01 | Advanced Dance in Repertory | Molly Lynch | UMass Amherst | TU TH 10:00AM 11:15AM |
| DANCE | 334 | 01 | Jazz Dance V | Lauren Cox | UMass Amherst | TU TH 2:30PM 3:45PM |
| DANCE | 391D | 01 | S-Ballet Pointe/Variations | Thomas Vacanti | UMass Amherst | M W 2:30PM 3:45PM |
Fall 2023 Dance Courses: Creative Studies: Choreography, Composition, and Improvisation
| Subject | Course # | Sect # | Course Title | Instructor(s) | Institution | Meeting Times |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THDA | 111 | 01 | Language of Movement | Jungeun Kim | Amherst College | TU/TH | 2:00 PM - 3:50 PM |
| THDA | 218H | 01 | Dance: Contemporary Rep. | Jenna Riegel | Amherst College | TU/TH | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM |
| THDA | 218H | 02 | Dance: Contemporary Rep. | Jungeun Kim | Amherst College | TU/TH | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM |
| THDA | 250 | 01 | Bodies in Motion | Jungeun Kim | Amherst College | TU/TH | 9:30 AM - 11:20 AM |
| HACU | 0145 | 1 | Moving, Making, Meaning | Lailye Weidman | Hampshire College | 10:30AM-11:50AM TU;10:30AM-11:50AM TH |
| DANCE | 151 | 01 | Elementary Composition | Shakia Barron | Mount Holyoke College | MW 01:45PM-03:00PM |
| DAN | 207 | 01 | Intermediate Repertory | Sarah Shostak Konner | Smith College | M W 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM |
| DAN | 207 | 02 | Intermediate Repertory | Duane Lee Holland Jr. | Smith College | M W 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM |
| DAN | 219 | 01 | Intermediate Contact Improv | Chris Aiken | Smith College | W F 10:50 AM - 12:15 PM |
| DAN | 252 | 01 | Intermediate Dance Composition | Sarah Shostak Konner | Smith College | W 1:20 PM - 2:35 PM; M 1:40 PM - 2:55 PM |
| DAN | 252 | L01 | Intermediate Dance Composition | Sarah Shostak Konner | Smith College | W 3:10 PM - 4:00 PM; M 3:05 PM - 3:55 PM |
| DAN | 305 | 01 | Advanced Repertory | Rodger Fleming Blum | Smith College | TU TH 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
| DAN | 309 | 01 | Advanced Repertory | Angie Hauser | Smith College | W F 1:20 PM - 3:20 PM |
| DANCE | 192D | 01 | S-Improv & Mvmnt Exploration | Lauren Cox | UMass Amherst | M W 1:25PM 2:15PM |
| DANCE | 252 | 01 | Intermed Composition | Duane Holland, Jr | UMass Amherst | TU TH 11:30AM 12:45PM |
Fall 2023 Dance Courses: Scientific Aspects of Dance and Anatomy
| Subject | Course # | Sect # | Course Title | Instructor(s) | Institution | Meeting Times |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAN | 241 | 01 | Scientific Foundation of Dance | Chris Aiken | Smith College | TU TH 10:50 AM - 12:05 PM |
Fall 2023 Dance Courses: Movement and Rhythmic Analysis
| Subject | Course # | Sect # | Course Title | Instructor(s) | Institution | Meeting Times |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DANCE | 287 | 01 | Rhythmic Analysis | Peter Jones | Mount Holyoke College | MW 03:15PM-04:30PM |
Fall 2023 Dance Courses: Related Topics and Seminars
| Subject | Course # | Sect # | Course Title | Instructor(s) | Institution | Meeting Times |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THDA | 125H | 01 | Craft of Speaking I | Ron Bashford | Amherst College | M/W/F | 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM |
| CSI | 0128 | 1 | Choreographies of Protest | Amy Jordan | Hampshire College | 01:00PM-02:20PM M;01:00PM-02:20PM W |
| HACU | 0145 | 1 | Moving, Making, Meaning | Lailye Weidman | Hampshire College | 10:30AM-11:50AM TU;10:30AM-11:50AM TH |
| HACU | 0239 | 1 | Dance Production | Matthew Adelson | Hampshire College | 09:00AM-10:20AM M;09:00AM-10:20AM W |
| DANCE | 390 | 01 | Senior Capstone Seminar | Barbie Diewald | Mount Holyoke College | M 04:30PM-06:00PM |
| DAN | 200 | 01 | Dance Production | Yun Lee | Smith College | |
| DAN | 201 | 01 | Dance Production | Yun Lee | Smith College | |
| DANCE | 261 | 01 | Dance Education Introduction | Ann Biddle | UMass Amherst | W F 9:00AM 11:00AM |
| DANCE | 365 | 01 | Dance Production | Matthew Adelson | UMass Amherst | M W 9:00AM 10:20AM |
| DANCE | 368 | 01 | Writing About Dance | Ann Biddle | UMass Amherst | TU TH 2:30PM 3:45PM |
| DANCE | 495A | 01 | Sem-Senior Project | Molly Lynch | UMass Amherst | TU TH 1:00PM 2:15PM |
Follow us on: Facebook, Instagram; sign up for our newsletter!
