Dance Major at TAMIU?

Texas A&M International University has had the privilege to offer its students a minor in dance since 1999. The dance program at TAMIU, offers a variety of dance classes that can be taken for visual and performing arts credit, or for lower and upper level elective hours. While speaking with Department Chair of Fine and Performing Arts,Bede Leyendecker, there was an emphasis on how dance has tremendously grown at TAMIU over the past few years. In adition, TAMIU will be hosting the American College Dance Festival Association (ACDFA), starting Tuesday February 28 through Saturday March 3, 2012. How will the influence of this vast dance conference influence the dance program at TAMIU?

 A minor in dance at TAMIU, offers its students a mix of both technique and performance classes, along with required classes that include, Dance History, Improvisation, Music for Dancers, and Choreography. This degree consists of a total of 23 credits, which is taught by two full time dance professors and one adjunct dance professor. According to Leyendecker, there are currently 300 students taking dance classes, and about 60 minors in the dance program. The experience that these dancers can take from learning from the TAMIU dance program can be unforgettable. Students learn improvisational skills, and the process on how to train their body through the dance technique classes. Bede Leyendecker recognizes that students learn how to work as a team, Leyendecker stated, "dance is usually about being able to pull together as one, and that's probably a very good life learning experience that they can take with them forever."

To acknowledge the dance program and its accomplishments, TAMIU will host the American College Dance Festival Association. As stated in the official ACDFA web site, "The American College Dance Festival Association exists to support and affirm dance in higher education through regional conferences, the adjudication process, and national festivals." Bede Leyendecker was asked about the influence of the American College Dance Festival Association on the TAMIU program, Leyendecker acknowledged, "I think our dance program has a very viable position on campus…I think that the American College Dance Festival is just the combination of all the hard work that has gone on over the last fourteen years in the dance program here at TAMIU."

A degree proposal for a dance major has been written, but in order for this proposal to take effect there must be a third full time dance faculty so that the degree can be implemented. Bede Leyendecker, expressed how the budget to hire a new professor is low due to budget cuts, but they still keep on the lookout for a third full time professor. This new degree would include the certification for those who plan to teach at public schools. Furthermore, Leyendecker talked the possibility of a Bachelor of Fine and Performing Arts degree, this idea she stated "would be able to be implemented more quickly." This degree wouldbe a convination of theatre, dance, and music. She explained how the creation of this degree would be much easier because TAMIU already has faculty for each of these disciplines. Leyendecker stated, "It seems to be a trend, the University of Texas at Austin no longer offers a dance degree, but it is a performing arts degree, and the students have a variety of focuses that they pick from."

Although there is no final decision on the creation of a dance specialization at TAMIU, the idea will be toyed with and plans will be set in motion. Students who are currently enrolled in the minor degree will experience something very innovative and rewarding as a dancer, which is the American College Dance Festival Association. Bede Leyendecker talked about the amount of passion and dedication the faculty and students put into dance when she stated, "It's been said, that to create a piece of choreography is more difficult than writing a book…I know that the day will come when we are able to offer a Bachelors degree for our very deserving students."

(Neguif Angeles can be reached at neguif.angeles@dusty.tamiu.edu)