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Dancers from the African Diaspora performing

Master of Arts
Teaching Dance in the Professions: Dances of the African Diaspora

How to Apply

Prepare for a career teaching dance in professional and postsecondary settings such as studios, community colleges, community centers, and more. This concentration is an intensive study of the evolution of African American dance. It is ideal for established dancers and choreographers wishing to develop their pedagogy and research skills as a complement to their artistry, as well as current teachers who want to deepen their knowledge.

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Degree Details

Official Degree Title

Master of Arts in Dance Education: Teaching Dance in the Professions, Dances of the African Diaspora

Format
Full-time or Part-time
Credits
30-36
Start Date
Spring
Application Deadline
Start Date
Fall
Application Deadline

Is the Dances of the African Diaspora Program Right for You?

NYU Steinhardt breaks the mold with the Dances of the African Diaspora concentration, an intensive study of the evolution of African diasporic dance that highlights the importance of understanding the culture behind these styles, while preparing students to be successful educators with strong pedagogical skills.

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Advisors

Michelle Cole

Adjunct Faculty

mec515@nyu.edu

Afaliah Tribune

Adjunct Faculty

ast411@nyu.edu

In this innovative concentration – the first of its kind in the US – you'll have the opportunity to:

  • Learn critical analysis and embodiment of dances of the African diaspora.
  • Explore spirituality and customs as a dynamic and indigenous model of learning.
  • Understand the development and practice of Black Vernacular Dance as an expression of identity, culture and community.    
  • Embody dance techniques of the African Diaspora in education and the choreographic process.
  • Critically examine how colonization, intersectionality of race, identity, and class have disproportionately affected dances of the African diaspora’s spread. 

As a graduate student in this program, you will gain professional development in the theory and practice of dance education, with an emphasis on the historical and cultural contexts from which to teach dance. You'll examine dance for the purpose of developing as a research-informed and proficient teacher who possesses a balance between pedagogy, artistry, and research. A final research project is the culmination of the degree. 

You can complete this degree in just three terms (Fall, Spring, Summer) as a full-time student. Upon graduation, you’ll be well prepared for your career as an innovative educator, or for advancement into doctoral study.

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