The Florida State University School of Dance will launch a one-of-a-kind certificate program this fall, providing formal training for musicians interested in working in the dance field.
Created in partnership with the College of Music, the new Dance Accompanying Certificate is designed to develop the skills, experience and musical adaptability needed to work alongside performers and choreographers in academic institutions, conservatories and professional studios.
"This certificate offers students a rare hands-on opportunity to develop both the musical and collaborative skills needed to work with dancers," said Daniel Smith, School of Dance assistant professor and director of the certificate program. "Dance accompanying is a sophisticated musical practice that requires creativity, artistic awareness and a deep sensitivity to movement."
The program is the only university certificate of its kind in the nation with a specific emphasis on musical accompaniment for dance. It is also noteworthy in its openness to a wide range of instrumentalists, including those formally or informally trained at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
"Programs devoted specifically to training musicians to accompany dance are exceedingly rare," Smith said. "FSU, with its strong dance and music programs, is in a prime position to provide this specialized training to many kinds of musicians, benefiting our students as well as the field at large."
Students in the program will gain hands-on experience accompanying School of Dance classes under the guidance of experienced music faculty from both the School of Dance and the College of Music.
Applications for the program open this fall.
To learn more about the program and how to apply, visit the College of Fine Arts website at dance.fsu.edu and click "explore our programs."
