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The Master of Fine Arts Degree is given through
Smith College and the basic courses are offered on Smith's campus. The dance program
at Smith, however, is part of the Five College Dance Department and most Five College
dance faculty members participate in the teaching and advising of graduate students.
The MFA program is designed to focus on the art of expressive
choreography and meaningful performance. It is the belief of this department
that thoughtful choreography and engaging movement are vital parts of our society
and culture. Dance should contribute to an understanding of the issues that
face our diverse population. Creating dance is challenging, exhausting, and
ultimately, extremely rewarding work. The degree program is much
more than a schedule of classes and a thesis. It is an opportunity to secure
two years for concentration on choreographic study and development. Much of
the exploration happens in the formal classroom, but resources abound in the talents,
energies, and minds of peers, the Five College dance faculty and the academic and
creative communities within the Pioneer Valley.
Learn
more about graduate study at Smith >
All students are strongly recommended to come to Smith
for an audition in order to see the college and facilities and to meet the faculty.
Auditions for students who wish to enter in the fall of 2009 will be held Friday,
February 13, 2009. Appointments should be made by February 1 by calling
the department at (413) 585-3232. Visitors have the option, when possible, of lodging
with a current graduate student.
The audition consists of a technique class in ballet,
modern, and jazz styles, live presentation of a three to five minute solo choreographed
by the applicant, a faculty interview, tours of the campus, lunch meeting with current
graduate students, and attendance of an evening performance.
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| 8:30 a.m. |
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Scott Dance Studio available for warm
up (located in the Scott Gymnasium complex) |
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| 9 a.m. |
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Ballet Barre and Combinations |
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| 9:30 a.m. |
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Modern Combinations |
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| 10 a.m. |
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Jazz Combinations |
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| 10:30 a.m. |
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Break |
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| 10:45 a.m. |
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Candidates’ Choreographic Showings |
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| noon |
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Lunch in the Green Room, Mendenhall
Center for the Performing Arts |
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| 1 p.m. |
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Panel Interviews; brief tour of the
performing arts facilities: Crew House Studio, Josten Library, theatres, Berenson
Studios |
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| 4 p .m. |
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Candidates are free to explore downtown
Northampton |
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| 8 p.m. |
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Candidates are invited to attend the
MFA Thesis Dance Concert in Theatre 14, Mendenhall Performing Arts Center |
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If coming to Smith is impossible, the applicant should
send a DVD or VHS videotape of his or her performance and choreography. The DVD or
tape should include very clear accompanying information. International applicants
who plan to send videotapes should check with the Department of Dance before sending
a tape in a different format. Please note: Audition in person is preferable to videotape
or DVD. Applicants who do not audition in person are not eligible for teaching assistantships.
The course of study for the M.F.A. degree will
take two years and two years of residence is required.
The following courses must be completed before
the M.F.A. degree is granted:
Student must be at advanced level in one form
of dance technique, including improvisational and non-western forms.
In the first year, students are required to
choreograph one solo and one group work and have it shown in a public presentation.
First year students must perform in at least one dance that is choreographed by a
Five College faculty member or a Master of Fine Arts student.
At the end of both semesters of the first year,
each student will meet with the Smith dance faculty to discuss course work, choreography,
technique, and preliminary plans for the MFA presentation. Faculty concerns dealing
with artistic and academic progress will be discussed at this time. Students are
notified if they have successfully completed all of the first year graduate requirements.
A concert presentation of dances is required
for the degree. There should be a minimum of 20 minutes of choreography, which can
be one dance or several, with accompanying lighting and costume designs. A paper
in support of the thesis is also required, and will include a statement of artistic
perspective, concepts used in choreography, supporting research, and the candidate's
evaluation of the thesis choreography. In addition, the degree candidate will be
responsible for the organization of all production aspects of the performance. |
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