conservatory of dance
Undergraduate (BFA) Courses
For the current (or upcoming) semester schedule, search the schedule of classes at Student Services.
DPB 1000–4999 (Ballet)
DPC 1000–4999 (Composition)
DPD 1000–4999 (General Dance)
DPM 1000–4999 (Modern)
Ballet Technique I
DPB 1010 and 1020 / 3 credits (per semester) / Every year
A year-long daily technique class. Placement audition required; placement by faculty. In the fall, students register for DPB 1230 and are then assigned to the appropriate Ballet Technique level.
Ballet Theory
DPB 1030 and 1040 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
Emphasis on the basic techniques of classical ballet.
Ballet Partnering (Pas de Deux)
DPB 1600 and 1610 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
The art of classical ballet partnering is studied and practiced to increase each dancer’s knowledge of the skills required to perform pas de deux.
Men’s Class
DPB 1650 and 1660 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
A year-long class focusing on pirouettes, jumps, and the musical quality of male variations in dance.
Special Ballet Technique: First Year
DPB 1800 (Fall) and 1820 (Spring)
1 credit (per semester) / Every year
Classical ballet technique class for freshman dance majors.
Ballet Technique II
DPB 2010 and 2020 / 3 credits (per semester) / Every year
A year-long daily technique class. Placement audition required; placement by faculty. In the fall, students register for DPB 1230 and are then assigned to the appropriate Ballet Technique level.
Ballet Technique III
DPB 3010 and 3020 / 3 credits (per semester) / Every year
A year-long daily technique class; placement audition required, placement by faculty. In the fall, students register for DPB 1230 and are then assigned to the appropriate Ballet Technique level.
Purchase Dance Corps
DPB 3055 / 1 credit / Every year
Performance in a piece choreographed or staged by a guest artist, faculty member, choreographer, or rehearsal director in The Performing Arts Center, on tour, or in the Dance Theatre Lab. By audition only. Also offered as DPM 3055.
Advanced Pointe I
DPB 3510 and 3520 / 1.5 credits (per semester) / Every year
Audition required.
Advanced Pointe II
DPB 3515 and 3525 / 1.5 credits (per semester) / Every year
A continuation of DPB 3510 and 3520. Audition required.
Prerequisite: DPB 3520
Special Ballet Technique: Upper Level
DPB 3800 (Fall) and 3820 (Spring)
1 credit (per semester) / Every year
Classical ballet technique class; six semesters required (sophomore through senior year).
Ballet Technique IV
DPB 4010 and 4020 / 3 credits (per semester) / Every year
A year-long daily technique class; placement audition required, placement by faculty. In the fall, students register for DPB 1230 and are then assigned to the appropriate Ballet Technique level.
Ballet Partnering II
DPB 4600 and 4610 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
The art of classical ballet partnering at the professional level, in preparation for performance.
Contemporary Off-Pointe Partnering
DPB 4620 and 4630 / 1 credit (per semester)
Special topic (offered irregularly)
An off-pointe partnering class that uses classical ballet partnering to explore more contemporary work. Material is not gender-based.
Improvisation/Composition I
DPC 1010 and 1020 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
A year-long course, required for freshman dance majors. In this workshop, students develop intuition and spontaneity in response to given problems. Working alone or in groups, they become more aware of movement possibilities and begin to make use of these in choreographic forms. Open to students in other disciplines with permission of instructor.
Added Fall 2008/Spring 2009:
Pilates I
DPC 1300 and 1350 / .5 credit (per semester) / Every year
The authentic Pilates mat workout, a technique for core conditioning, for novice or entry-level students. This course is the basis for the Pilates method of body conditioning. The class sessions include work on the Pilates exercises and address the history, philosophy, and methodology of Joseph H. Pilates. Open to students in other disciplines with permission of instructor.
Added Fall 2008/Spring 2009:
Pilates II
DPC 1310 and 1360 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
The authentic Pilates mat workout for students with prior Pilates experience. This course is the basis for the Pilates method of body conditioning. In each class session, students work out; examine the history of the Pilates method and its creator, Joseph H. Pilates; discuss the six principles of the method and the importance of the Powerhouse; and incorporate the five elements of the mind. Open to students in other disciplines with permission of instructor.
Modern Composition II
DPC 2010 and 2020
or
Ballet Composition II
DPC 2015 and 2025
3 credits (per semester) / Every year
A year-long course, required for all sophomore dance majors. Consideration of the individual’s intuitive resources (materials for the dance) and of the expansion and exposition of the material (how to make the dance). In the fall, students register for DPC 2009 (modern) or 2014 (ballet) and are then placed in one of the DPC 2010 or 2015 sections after the end of add/drop. Open to students in other disciplines with permission of instructor.
Prerequisite: DPC 1010 and 1020
Advanced Improvisation
DPC 2200 and 2210 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
A continuation of DPC 1010 and 1020, this workshop focuses on increasing movement possibilities specific to each student. Concepts of body sequencing and thrust/counterthrust are combined with improvisatory techniques. Open to students in other disciplines with permission of instructor.
Prerequisite: DPC 1010 and 1020
Modern Composition III
DPC 3010 and 3020
or
Ballet Composition III
DPC 3015 and 3025
3 credits (per semester) / Every year
A year-long course, required for all junior dance majors. Movement as a theatre form and the use of time, space, and energy in constructing dances. The junior composition project is required to proceed to the senior project. Open to students in other disciplines with permission of instructor.
Prerequisite: DPC 2010 and 2020, or DPC 2015 and 2025
Modern Composition IV
DPC 4010 and 4020
or
Ballet Composition IV
DPC 4015 and 4025
3 credits (per semester) / Every year
A year-long course, required for all dance majors except those in the dance production concentration.
Prerequisite: DPC 3010 and 3020, or DPC 3015 and 3025
Participation in Senior Project
DPC 4890 / 0.5 credit / Every semester
Dancers in senior project productions. Evaluations and selection of participants are made by seniors with approval of the faculty Senior Project Committee.
Participation in M.F.A. Project
DPC 4895 / 0.5 credit / Every semester
Dancers in M.F.A. project productions. M.F.A. students evaluate and select participants with approval of the faculty M.F.A. Project Committee.
Senior Project (Performance Concentrations)
DPC 4990 / 5 credits / Every year
A three-semester graduation requirement for seniors in the dance performance and ballet concentrations, which begins in the junior year, second semester. Credits (2.5 per semester) are awarded in the senior year. Students must perform one repertory piece that reflects technical and artistic work offered at Purchase and one composition piece that demonstrates their ability to work with dancers, movement, music, and theatrical staging. In addition, a proposal, artistic statement, résumé, and professional photo are required. Consult Conservatory guidelines for details.
Senior Project (Composition Concentration)
DPC 4990 / 5 credits / Every year
A year-long graduation requirement for the composition concentration. Students must create and present a maximum of 30 minutes of choreography that includes one solo, duet, or trio and two large group pieces. In addition, a proposal, artistic statement, résumé, and professional photo are required. Consult Conservatory guidelines for details.
Senior Project (Dance Production Concentration)
DPC 4990 / 5 credits / Every year
A year-long graduation requirement for the dance production concentration. Students must complete two projects: (1) produce a senior project concert involving publicity and programming, scheduling rehearsals, producing the performance, designing or executing costumes, and designing lights for the concert; and (2) stage manage a senior concert. Sequence of projects is the student’s choice. A paper summarizing the project is also required.
Dance Freshman Seminar
DPD 1030 / 1 credit / Fall
A course for all new dance majors, covering the Conservatory of Dance B.F.A. Student Handbook; a general introduction to the dance profession and New York City; workshops on health, life skills, and computer skills; information on library and research methods; and campus information.
Lighting for Dance
DPD 1100 / 3 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly, Fall)
Students learn the principles of focus, color, angle, and intensity used in the design of dance lighting. Drafting skills are developed, and theatre lab experience in a practical, hands-on workshop format is part of the course.
Anatomy for Dancers
DPD 1250 / 4 credits / Spring
A lecture course, required for freshman dance majors, in which students study the skeletal structure, muscles, tendons, and ligaments; movement range in joints; and injury care, cure, and prevention through the principles of Swedish massage.
Frequency and description revised Fall 2008 (9/03/08):
Music I
DPD 1650 and 1660 / 2 credits (per semester)
Special topic (offered irregularly)
A year-long course covering the basic elements of music: melody, harmony, and the relationship of musical and dance rhythm. Basic notation skills. Functional emphasis on relating music to dance. Limited to dance majors.
Added Fall 2008/Spring 2009 (9/03/08);
replaces DPD 1650/1660 in the BFA requirements:
Topics in Music
DPD 1655 and 1665 / 2 credits (per semester) / Every year
A year-long eclectic exploration of music’s many human dimensions as they relate to the development of the professional dancer. Topics may include melody; theatrical aspects of music; what constitutes style and musicality; and how music’s human dimensions relate to movement, both in class and in performance. Required for all freshman dance majors.
Dance Production I
DPD 1710 and 1720 / 2 credits (per semester) / Every year
A year-long course, required for all freshman dance majors. An introduction to basic dance production techniques, including lighting, sound/recording, stage management, and running crew. Involves classwork and crew assignments on dance productions. Open to students in other disciplines with permission of instructor.
Western Dance History I and II
DPD 2060 and 2070 / 2 credits (per semester) / I: Fall; II: Spring
A survey of Western theatrical dance. The roots of the ballet in Renaissance Italy and France through 20th-century developments in ballet and modern dance are studied as our cultural heritage. Required for all sophomore dance majors. Offered as SOA 2260 and 2270 for students in other disciplines.
Music II
DPD 2650 and 2660 / 3 credits (per semester) / Every year
A year-long course, required for sophomore dance majors. A study of music literature from a historical perspective beginning with the Gregorian chant and focusing primarily on Western cultures. Dancers learn how to listen to music with intention, what to listen for, and how to use it artistically as a performer and/or choreographer. Musical communication skills are developed for application in teaching and in collaborations with musicians and composers. Extensive listening and discussion. Limited to dance majors.
Prerequisite: DPD 1650 and 1660
Sophomore Project
DPD 2880 / 1 credit / Spring
An evaluation of sophomores in all dance concentrations. Requirements include completion of a sophomore credit audit, a ballet technique jury class, a modern technique jury class, and preparation of one composition piece. Required for all sophomore dance majors.
Dance History in Music, Performance, and Choreography
DPD 3110 and 3120 / 2 credits (per semester) / Every year
A year-long course, required for all dance majors in the junior or senior year. Examines the elements of 20th-century choreography historically, musically, and aesthetically through videos, library research, research papers, and discussion.
Music III
DPD 3650 / 3 credits / Fall
Required for junior dance majors. Focuses primarily on contemporary European and American music literature. Conclusion of a three-year sequence (DPD 1650 and 1660, required for freshmen; DPD 2650 and 2660, required for sophomores). Must be taken in sequence. Limited to dance majors.
Prerequisite: DPD 2650 and 2660
Junior Project
DPD 3880 / 0.5 credit / Spring
An evaluation of juniors in all dance concentrations, designed to prepare students for their senior projects. Requirements include: completion of a junior credit audit and a written junior project proposal; preparation of one composition piece, to be presented to the faculty; a performance; and completion of a crew assignment. Required for all junior dance majors.
Independent Study in Dance Production
DPD 3900 / Variable credits / Every semester
Independent studies designed to develop skills in lighting, stage management, rehearsal direction, etc. Open to students in other disciplines with permission of instructor.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Student/Teacher Practicum
DPD 4800 and 4805 / 2 credits (per semester) / Every year
Students apply and are selected to be mentored in teaching ballet or modern technique classes for students in other disciplines.
Shared Student/Teacher Practicum
DPD 4810 and 4820 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
Students apply and are selected to be mentored in teaching ballet and modern technique classes with another person for students in other disciplines.
Modern Dance Technique I
DPM 1010 and 1020 / 3 credits (per semester) / Every year
A year-long daily technique course. Placement audition required; placement by faculty. In the fall, students register for DPM 1230 and are then assigned to the appropriate Modern Technique level.
Modern Partnering
DPM 1510 and 1520 / 1 credit / Every semester
Explores the movement ranges of modern partnering, trust, and the physical expertise required through choreographed combinations mastered weekly in class.
Special Modern Technique: First Year
DPM 1800 (Fall) and 1820 (Spring)
1 credit (per semester) / Every year
Class in modern/contemporary dance technique for freshman dance majors.
Modern Dance Technique II
DPM 2010 and 2020 / 3 credits (per semester) / Every year
A year-long daily technique course. Placement audition required; placement by faculty. In the fall, students register for DPM 1230 and are then assigned to the appropriate Modern Technique level.
Modern Dance Technique III
DPM 3010 and 3020 / 3 credits (per semester) / Every year
A year-long daily technique course. Placement audition required; placement by faculty. In the fall, students register for DPM 1230 and are then assigned to the appropriate Modern Technique level.
Modern Repertory
DPM 3050 and 3060 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
Students work under the direction of faculty choreographers on repertory material designed for this course. Content includes artistic interpretation, style, musicality, and coaching relevant to the movement presented weekly and developed throughout the semester.
Purchase Dance Corps
DPM 3055 Refer to DPB 3055 for description.
Special Modern Technique: Upper Level
DPM 3800 (Fall) and 3820 (Spring)
1 credit (per semester) / Every year
Class in modern/contemporary dance technique; six semesters required (sophomore through senior year).
Modern Dance Technique IV
DPM 4010 and 4020 / 3 credits (per semester) / Every year
A year-long daily technique course. Placement audition required; placement by faculty. Two semesters of Modern Dance Technique IV are required for B.F.A. dance performance students. In the fall, students register for DPM 1230 and are then assigned to the appropriate Modern Technique level.
Updated Sept. 3, 2008