Department of Humanities
Dance at Coppin State University—Where Creativity, Culture, and Community Move Together!
Welcome to Coppin State University’s Dance Program! A space where movement meets meaning. Our program nurtures versatile, visionary artists through rigorous training in performance, choreography, technology, and cultural studies. Grounded in the rich traditions of the African diaspora and committed to innovation, our students learn to lead, collaborate, and advocate through dance.
Whether you're aspiring to perform, teach, create, or lead in the arts, Coppin Dance prepares you to make an impact on stage, in your community, and the world.
Mission
Our mission is to cultivate a dynamic and inclusive dance education that empowers students through rigorous training in dance performance, technology, and production. We center the cultural and historical significance of dance, especially within the African diaspora, to broaden perspectives through scholarship and creative inquiry.
We are committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive community where diversity is celebrated, and dance serves as a catalyst for civic engagement, social change, and economic growth.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Master Technical Proficiency: Demonstrate skill in traditional and contemporary dance forms.
- Understand Culture and History: Examine the cultural, historical, and political roots of dance with an emphasis on African diasporic forms.
- Think Critically and Research Deeply: Analyze performances, texts, and traditions through scholarly inquiry and embodied practice.
- Choreograph with Purpose: Create innovative work that reflects personal voice, cultural knowledge, and artistic expression.
- Prepare for Professional Careers: Navigate the professional world of dance through training in entrepreneurship, education, and leadership.
- Collaborate Across Disciplines: Integrate dance with technology and other art forms to produce collaborative, interdisciplinary projects.
- Lead with Integrity: Commit to ethical practice, equity, and lifelong learning as artists and advocates in the global dance community.
Why Choose Coppin Dance?
- Small class sizes with personalized mentorship
- Training in studio and site-specific performance
- Cultural immersion in African and African American dance traditions
- Opportunities to choreograph, produce, and perform in concerts and community events
- Access to masterclasses, internships, and interdisciplinary collaborations
Meet Our Faculty
At Coppin State University, our dance faculty are more than educators—they are practicing artists, scholars, choreographers, and community leaders who bring real-world experience and cultural depth into every classroom.
Our team is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of dancers through personalized instruction, creative collaboration, and a commitment to excellence rooted in Contemporary and Traditional forms.
Our Faculty Expertise Includes:
- Modern, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Ballet Techniques
- African and African American Dance Forms
- Dance Pedagogy and Curriculum Design
- Choreography and Creative Research
- Community Arts and Civic Engagement
- Dance Technology and Production
- Arts Administration and Leadership
Guest Artists & Mentors
We regularly invite guest choreographers, alums, and industry professionals to lead masterclasses, workshops, and projects, offering our students access to a wide range of voices and perspectives in the field.
Performances & Events
Coppin’s dance program centers performance as a core part of the learning experience. Through studio-based work, mainstage concerts, and off-campus opportunities, students engage in continuous practice that refines technique and expands artistic vision.
On-campus performances include:
- Fall Dance Concert - A showcase of course projects and original choreography
- Spring Dance Concert - A culminating performance featuring faculty, student, and guest choreographed works
- Studio Night Informal Showings - Informal, student-led performance labs
- Coppin Community Events and Performances
Off-campus opportunities may include:
- CELEBRATION: Black History Month Showcase at the Gordon Center
- American College Dance Festival Adjudication Concert
- Local school residencies, community festivals, and events
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Have questions about our Dance Program? Someone has probably already asked us! Check out what prospective students are most curious about, and if you still have questions after reviewing, reach out to us!
Yes, you must audition to be considered for admission to the dance program. In addition to attending the movement placement audition, you must also prepare a 2-3 minute uniquely choreographed piece. Interested in dance as a minor? Dance minors don’t need to audition to register for classes.
While you do have to be admitted before you can register for courses, you don’t have to wait until you’re admitted to chat with the dance director! You are welcome to schedule a conversation anytime during your application or admission process to chat about your career goals, program criteria, or other related topics.
At the beginning of the semester, each instructor communicates with students about any required attire for courses.
Our dance studio can accommodate 15-20 students in a movement class.
Yes! A master drummer accompanies our modern and African dance classes.
Yes! We are the proud home of the Coppin State University Dance Ensemble. Auditions are open at the start of every semester. To be eligible to join, be sure you’re registered for at least 1 dance technique course.
The Dance Ensemble sponsors masterclasses and workshops throughout the year, and an artists-in-residence program for visiting artists working in dance and technology.
Writing Center
The Dance Program lives in the Department of Humanities in the School of Arts & Sciences within the College of Arts & Sciences, and Education.