INSTRUCTION

The primary goal of the ASFA Dance Department is to enable students to develop a mastery of dance through participation in a comprehensive curriculum with an emphasis in classical ballet.

Three dance productions are presented annually in ASFA’s theatre and are open to the public. We believe that performance is an essential component to dance training with particular emphasis toward developing young dancers. Stage performances of an eclectic dance repertoire are an integral part of the educational curriculum of the ASFA Dance Department. Throughout the history of the department, students at the Alabama School of Fine Arts have eagerly accepted the challenge of both performing standards of the classical repertory and the creation of exciting new works of visiting or resident choreographers, fully preparing graduates to compete in the professional dance field.

ASFA Dance Department is a host for the annual Alabama Dance Festival organized and funded through the Alabama Dance Council. Schools of dance from throughout the quad state region congregate in Birmingham to audition for scholarships to many nationally reputable summer dance intensive programs including American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Nashville Ballet and several others. The Alabama Dance Festival offers a schedule of dance classes along with performances by guest professional companies (Merce Cunningham Dance Company’s Final World Tour in 2011) and a Showcase which includes performances by several local and out of state schools of dance.

ASFA Dance Department participates in both the National and Regional High School Dance Festivals where ASFA students can audition for University, College and Conservatory dance programs as well as summer dance intensives and participate in a variety of dance classes and workshops during the four day festival.

ASFA Dance Department Alumni include Shawn Black, Kathleen Moore and Wes Chapman (American Ballet Theatre), Anne Mueller (Trey McIntyre Project and Oregon Ballet Theatre), Bennalldra Williams (Urban Bush Women), Marshall Ellis (Orlando Ballet), Therese Laeger (Cleveland Ballet), Brandon Ragland (Alabama Ballet), Jessica Horton (DCDC II), among many others.

 

"Celebrating Spring with Dance" Apr 27-29 (click for showtimes)