Dance

dancers in various positions on stage

The Barnard College Department of Dance, located in a world dance capital, offers an interdisciplinary program that integrates the study of dance within a liberal arts setting of intellectual and creative exploration. Making, thinking about, and writing about art are an essential part of the liberal arts education. For this reason, the Department of Dance offers technique courses for students of all levels of expertise, while opening its other courses to majors and non-majors alike, who may also audition for its productions. The Department partners with cultural institutions in New York City to connect students with the professional world.

The major builds upon studio courses, the department's productions at Miller Theater, New York Live Arts, and other venues, as well as a rich array of Dance Studies courses, allowing students' creative work to develop in dialogue with critical inquiry into the history, culture, and theory of theatrical and global dance forms and performance, typically enhanced by study in other disciplines. Students work with accomplished artists whose work enriches contemporary American dance; they also study with outstanding research scholars.

dance

Our Faculty

Marjorie Folkman Headshot

Marjorie Folkman

Chair & Associate Professor of Professional Practice
Department Chair

Seth Williams

Assistant Professor
Gabri Christa headshot

Gabri Christa

Professor of Professional Practice
Colleen Thomas-Young Headshot

Colleen Thomas-Young

Professor of Professional Practice in Dance

Caroline Fermin

Term Lecturer
Vincent McCloskey, photo by Alexis Silver

Vincent McCloskey

Term Associate

Uttara Coorlawala

Adjunct Professor
Cynthia Anderson Dance Dept Adj Faculty

Cynthia Anderson

Adjunct Lecturer
Ehizoje Azeke

Ehizoje Azeke

Adjunct Lecturers
RebeccaBliss

Rebecca Bliss

Adjunct Lecturer
Woman with short hair sitting on a couch

Lisa Boudreau

Adjunct Lecturer
Siobhan Burke

Siobhan Burke

Adjunct Lecturer

Maguette Camara

Adjunct Lecturer
Antonio Carmena Headshot

Antonio Carmena

Adjunct Lecturer
Francesca Dominguez

Francesca Dominguez

Adjunct Lecturer
Dormeshia Tap Dancer Faculty

Dormeshia

Adjunct Lecturer
Woman with White Tank Top

Allison Easter

Adjunct Lecturer
Headshot

Tamisha Guy

Adjunct Lecturer
Chisa Hidaka

Chisa Hidaka

Adjunct Lecturer
Danielle Kipnis headshot

Danielle Kipnis

Adjunct Lecturer
Headshot of Jodi Melnick Dancing

Jodi Melnick

Adjunct Lecturer
Bo Park headshot

Bo Park

Adjunct Lecturer
Kelly Peters headshot

Kelly Peters

Adjunct Lecturer
FacultyHeadshot-filler

Unity Phelan

Adjunct Lecturer
Juan Rodriguez

Juan Rodriguez

Adjunct Lecturer
Carol Teitelbaum Headshot

Carol Teitelbaum

Adjunct Lecturer
Female with Black fringe top, hair pulled back in ponytail braid on a white background.

Nelida Tirado

Adjunct Lecturer
Woman glancing to the side as she poses

Caitlin Trainor

Adjunct Lecturer

Ashley Tuttle

Adjunct Lecturer

FAQ

About The Barnard College Department of Dance
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The Barnard College Department of Dance is the center for performance and research for all of Barnard College and Columbia University. All current Barnard, Columbia College, or General Studies students may participate in the department’s academic and artistic programming at any level – from beginner to advanced. The majority of our Dance Majors are double majors, and the Department of Dance does not require its students to audition to enroll in most department courses. During the first week of each semester, Instructors will assess all students in studio/technique classes to ensure they are enrolled in the appropriate class level. In addition, the department offers a rich array of Dance Studies courses that connect the research and scholarship of dance with live performance and events in New York City. Every semester, the Department of Dance produces concerts of original works and staged repertory by emerging and established choreographers at New York Live Arts and Miller Theater at Columbia University.

The department regularly hosts virtual information sessions (typically in October and April) for prospective and admitted students.  This is the best forum for you to hear about department programming and to ask current faculty and students questions.  Please email dance@barnard.edu if you would like to be notified of our next virtual information session.

Prospective students should address questions about applications and campus visits to the appropriate admissions offices at Barnard and/or Columbia. Though Barnard and Columbia offer campus tours, the Department of Dance does not currently allow prospective students to observe dance classes unless a particular course is specified through the Admissions Department. Faculty are not involved in admissions decisions and are unable to review or otherwise advise on your application.  Please address all application questions directly to the appropriate admissions officer.  Admitted/incoming students may address questions to dance@barnard.edu.

How can I take a tour of Barnard ?
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Is there live accompaniment for dance courses?
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Who can take a dance course?
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How many dance courses can I take per semester?
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How is level determined in technique courses?
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How many faculty members are there?
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Can I major in two departments?
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Can I audit a dance course?
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What's Coming Up

19 Nov
Performing Arts

Fall 2026 Barnard/Columbia Dance: Night 1

7:30 PM
New York Live Arts
20 Nov
Performing Arts

Fall 2026 Barnard/Columbia Dance: Night 2

7:30 PM
New York Live Arts
21 Nov
Performing Arts

Fall 2026 Barnard/Columbia Dance: Matinée

2:00 PM
New York Live Arts
21 Nov
Performing Arts

Fall 2026 Barnard/Columbia Dance: Night 3

7:30 PM
New York Live Arts
20 Jan
Performing Arts

Spring 2027 Rehearsal & Performance Auditions: #1

6:00 PM
Miller Theatre
20 Jan
Performing Arts

Spring 2027 Rehearsal & Performance Auditions: #2

7:30 PM
Miller Theatre
21 Jan
Performing Arts

Spring 2027 Rehearsal & Performance Auditions: #3

6:00 PM
Miller Theatre
21 Jan
Performing Arts

Spring 2027 Rehearsal & Performance Auditions: #4

7:30 PM
Miller Theatre
26 Mar
Performing Arts

2027 Senior Creative Thesis Concert: Night 1

6:00 PM
Minor Latham Playhouse
27 Mar
Performing Arts

2027 Senior Creative Thesis Concert: Night 2

6:00 PM
Minor Latham Playhouse
23 Apr
Performing Arts

Spring 2027 Barnard/Columbia Dance: Night 1

7:00 PM
Miller Theatre
24 Apr
Performing Arts

Spring 2027 Barnard/Columbia Dance: Matinée

2:00 PM
Miller Theatre
24 Apr
Performing Arts

Spring 2027 Barnard/Columbia Dance: Night 2

7:00 PM
Miller Theatre

Contact Us

General Inquiries
Karen Arciola
karciola@barnard.edu

Mei Xing
mx2345@barnard.edu

Prospective Student Inquiries
Marjorie Folkman
mfolkman@barnard.edu
  
Space Inquiries
Tim Cryan
tcryan@barnard.edu