Performance Opportunities

Dance majors experience unique performance opportunities within our pre-professional company. From performing works by guest artists in three mainstage productions per academic year in our historic Casino Theatre, to our one-of-a-kind Jazz Lounge performances at Ochre Court with world-renowned jazz musicians, to jazz performances on the grounds of the historic Newport Jazz Festival, our students are stretched to explore their creative potential as performing artists.

Students in the company work with an average of 8-10 guest artists per year. Past choreographers include Naila Ansari, Rich Ashworth, Joshua Blake Carter, Alicia-Lynn Nascimento Castro, Brandi Coleman, Kimberley Cooper/Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Mike Esperanza, Melanie George/Jazz Is…Dance Project, Betsi Graves/Urbanity Dance, Monique Haley, Duane Lee Holland, Carlos R. A. Jones, Kat Pantos/Pantos Project, Nailah Randall-Bellinger, Alvon Reed, Ashley Rich, Pat Taylor/JazzAntiqua Dance & Music Ensemble and Maurice Watson.

Emerging Artists

Starting in their sophomore year, student choreographers have extensive opportunities to present their works on campus and receive close mentorship from our dance faculty and influential dance-makers in the field. Accomplished students have been invited to present their works at festivals including WAXworks (Brooklyn, New York), Jazz Choreography Enterprises Jazz Dance Project (New York City), Small Plates Choreography Festival (Newburgh, New York), Upsurge Dance Festival (virtual), Boston Contemporary Jazz Festival (Boston, Massachusetts), Southern Vermont Jazz Festival (Brattleboro, Vermont) and Bridging the Gap: A jazz dance and music festival (Newport, Rhode Island).