Welcome to the world of professional dance.
Conservatory-style training… A faculty of renowned professionals… Rigorous programs with the best in classical ballet and modern dance … Proximity to a “living laboratory” of New York City dance companies and choreographers… The Conservatory of Dance is one of only a handful of colleges in the world where you can learn what it means to be a professional.

A program in the master-apprentice tradition.
The Conservatory’s program is grounded with a shared emphasis in dance performance and composition – modern and ballet – as well as dance technique. This includes choosing concentrations for your BFA or MFA degree:

BFA
- Modern or Ballet Perfomance
- Dance Composition (Choreoraphy)
- Dance Production

MFA
- Choreography
- Performance/Teaching

No matter what your focus, you will be dancing every day in a demanding schedule: classes in classical ballet and modern dance, modern and ballet partnering, pointe, improvisation and somatics. All while being guided by highly regarded artists who provide the inspiration and mentoring you need to work and perform at your best.

An emphasis on performance – from studio to stage.
Starting freshman year, students in the Conservatory audition for the internationally-renowned Purchase Dance Company that performs repertory and commissioned works and offers two major on-campus concerts a year at The Performing Arts Center of Purchase College.

Students are also auditioned and cast to rehearse and perform in BFA senior projects,  MFA concerts, and with the Purchase Dance Company for tours nationally and internationally, and in works commissioned for them by faculty and alumni as well as major classic and modern masterpieces in dance repertory.