Dance program looks to expand
ISSUE: 02/28/07 > A&E > DANCE PROGRAM LOOKS TO EXPAND
With a new theater complex on the way, Belmont’s dance program has the potential for a great amount of growth, both artistically and physically. For the past three years, the university has offered a dance minor to its students, but the creation of a full-fledged major is not completely out of the question as the program looks toward the future.
The department offers four main types of dance: tap, jazz, ballet and modern. Each comes with its own unique set of challenges and difficulties, but this has not slowed the growth of the program. Indeed, it has fueled the ambitions of both the students and the instructors.
“The department has grown from 12 to 35 minors in two and a half years,” said Paul Gatrell, chair of the department of theater and dance. Debbie Belue, adjunct professor of dance, said the department is graduating four times as many students this year as last.
As evidence of this growth, student Rachel Ellis, a ballerina, is studying at Belmont under the Pat Bullard scholarship. This scholarship is awarded only to a prima ballerina. Ellis is a full-time performer in the Nashville Ballet and is majoring in nursing with a minor in dance.
Each student in the program progresses through increasingly difficult levels of study as they work towards a minor. As a result of this, many of the dancers are now much stronger than when they began. They are able to perform more technical dances with a greater skill level. As the department attracts more skilled beginners, it is requiring more hours for students already in the program who wish to complete a minor.
There is much anticipation and excitement among the program’s students in regards to this rapid development. When asked about the minor, students echoed Belue’s comments about the intensity of classes and the continuing growth of the department. Emily Callahorn referred to it as “exciting” and Stephanie Jones said, “It’s gonna rock.”
But one big question still remains: will the department ever be able to offer a dance major?
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The official stance is that the possibility is being examined. There is great support for this move coming from the faculty and the students. One student pointed to the large amount of time that both students and supporters give to the program outside of the classroom as defense for expansion. This level of dedication will be needed as the program continues to grow.
“With the emphasis on performing arts here at Belmont, this would be a perfect place for a dance major,” said Belue. She also commented that the dance department is currently working with Gatrell to try to make this a reality.
“Our long term goal is to have a dance education major and a dance performance major,” said Gatrell. “It is a strong program that has a lot of growth potential ahead of it.”
Students will soon be able to enjoy more practice space as well, another development that could support a potential dance major. The new blackbox theater will be accessible to the department both as a rehearsal space and a performance venue.
Gatrell also showed appreciation for Belmont’s efforts to provide more opportunities for dancers.
“The university has been very supportive of the program. Obviously, with any new program there are challenges and we are working collaboratively to overcome them.”
Gatrell also noted the dance department is looking into a possible partnership with the Nashville Ballet. When asked how likely such a move would be, Gatrell replied that there was a “strong potential” of this happening sometime in the near future. Such collaboration would bode especially well for students interesting in pursuing dance as a career choice.
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