Academic Programs
Dance is a unique, powerful modality, and at Dean you'll be challenged to develop your proficiency and knowledge while broadening your perspective.
The Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance at Dean College provides rigorous, well-rounded technical training within a purposeful liberal arts curriculum.
Raising the Barre
For more than 50 years, Dean has been a nationally recognized educational center for dance and the only college in New England that offers both bachelor's and associate degrees in dance.
For those pursuing focused studies in dance performance, teaching, choreography, studio management and other allied fields, our bachelor of arts in dance and our bachelor of fine arts in dance programs are an ideal blend of the academic study and training needed to prepare students for success, both on and off the stage. Some of our students elect to first pursue an associate degree in dance, which prepares them for transition into Dean's bachelor of arts in dance degree program or into another four-year program.
In the News
Below are recent news stories featuring talented faculty and staff members, as well as students, from the Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance.
- Dean College Students Participate in Banner Ceremony at the New England Patriots Home Opener
- Amanda Donahue, our certified athletic trainer, was featured in the articles below:
- Why Choreography Should Be More Than An Elective, According to Dean College Faculty Members
- Making History: A Dean College Student's Journey to Becoming a New England Patriots Cheerleader
- Dean College partners with Jacob's Pillow. The partnership program supports dance as a means of research, discourse, and artistic expression for faculty, artists, scholars and students.
- Assistant professor of dance, Kristina Berger is featured in Jacob's Pillow film, from a performance with Erick Hawkins Dance Company.
- Learn more about our School of Dance's adjustments to address pandemic risks that mirror the professional dance world.
Awards and Recognition
Below are awards that Dean College has received.
- Dean College ranked #42 on Learn.org’s 50 Best Visual and Performing Arts Degrees for 2020-2021. This ranking is based on the types of degrees offered, performance opportunities, and studio and creation spaces open to students.
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Dean College was ranked #5 in Best Undergraduate Teaching in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Regional Colleges, North category.
Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance Faculty
Meet our hard-working faculty who are both subject-matter experts and dance professionals.
Box Office
Performances are at the heart of our dance program. Visit our box office to purchase tickets to watch our talented students perform.
Study Dance Abroad
Combine your dance studies with Spanish-language immersion and a unique travel experience. Through our partnership with DanceAbroad Argentina, you can spend a semester in Buenos Aires, earning college credit and immersing yourself in another culture.
School of Dance By The Numbers
100%
of bachelor degree students graduate with performance experiences.
50+
years Dean has been a nationally recognized educational center for dance.
100%
of students receive training for successful careers on or off the stage.
More Information
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The Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance prepares students to perform at Dean and beyond.
Dance is movement with meaning.
Beginning in your first semester, you have opportunities to connect your classwork to the stage.
Choreographic works by Dean students have been chosen for performances in the ACDF in the ACDF gala at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
Dean's first-year dance seminars will help you discover the relationship of dance to other fields of study.
Pursuing a Dance degree at Dean will be challenging, but we will offer you all the support you need to succeed.
Dean Dance seniors, faculty and staff on the stage of the David H. Koch Theatre at Lincoln Center with New York City Ballet’s Silas Farley.
Experience master classes with dancers from Boston Ballet, Cirque du Soleil and many more.
Beginning in your first semester, you have opportunities to connect your classwork to the stage.
Jay T Jenkins ’77, recognized around the world as the versatile creator of the “JAZZ FUNK” style, shared his in-depth knowledge of classic jazz and musical theater in a dance master class with Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance students. Jay T's experience includes choreography for feature films, industrials, music videos and recording artists’ concert tours. He has worked with Prince, Salt N’ Pepa, Kool Moe Dee, Cyndi Lauper, Jennifer Lopez, Color Me Badd and many others.
A liberal arts core will complement your training. You can also broaden your career options by adding a double-major or minor.
Dean College Dance seniors with master class instructors Tracie Stanfield and James Kinney at Ripley Grier Studios in New York City.
As a dance major at Dean, you have the opportunity to participate in student concerts, faculty and guest artist concerts, a freshman showcase and senior performances.
Many of our dancers earn roles in Dean's musical and theatre productions.