Dance | Johnson C. Smith University

Find Your Light. Take the Stage.

Dance is more than movement—it’s a powerful form of expression, storytelling, and connection.

At JCSU, our Dance program will give you the technical foundation and creative freedom to explore your artistry. Whether your passion lies in performance, choreography, or teaching, you'll learn to bring stories to life through rhythm and motion. With opportunities to train in a variety of dance styles and perform on stage, you’ll graduate ready to make your mark in the world of dance.

JCSU Dance Mission Statement

The mission of JCSU Dance is to foster the growth of conscious artists who are willing to challenge and enhance the field of dance. Our curriculum concentrates on classical and contemporary Concert Dance forms such as European-derived dance forms and African Diaspora. Students will train and research in composition, history and research, pedagogy, Dance sciences as well as theory and practice of Dance. The program centers around interdisciplinary collaborations, innovative research, and professional readiness.

What will I learn as a Dance Major?

Students majoring in Dance take movement classes such as various levels of Modern, Ballet and Jazz and electives such as Tap, Pointe and Hip-hop. Additional requirements are Dance Conditioning, African Dance, Kinesiology, Dance Composition and History of Dance.

What will I learn if I minor in Dance?

Dance minors will take various levels of Modern, Ballet, Jazz and African Dance, and electives such as Tap, Pointe and Pedagogy. Minors are also required to take Dance Conditioning, Dance Composition and History or Dance.

How do I audition for the dance program?

For acceptance into the Dance Major, students are welcome to audition in person or via video. Auditions can be scheduled during a tour on campus, or by taking one of our program Dance classes on campus. If you choose to send in a video, you will need to include 2-4 minutes in total of dancing, either Modern, Contemporary or Ballet. Group dances are acceptable if you note in the video which dancer you are. Please email all video submissions to: jotoole@jcsu.edu.

Performing as a dance student

All students are encouraged to audition for the JCSU Repertory Dance Company, which is a traveling company that performs locally and out of state. All students are welcome to choreograph and audition for JCSU Dance concerts in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Dance performances

1 / 4

2 / 4

3 / 4

4 / 4

Student teaching and Internships

Students will have the opportunity to teach dance class in the local Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, who partner with JCSU Dance. This gives the students a hands-on experience for teaching in K-12. Our faculty have local connections with Theme Parks, Cruise Ships, Dance Companies and Dance Studios, to set students up with internships and jobs upon graduation.

Dance Program Staff

leadership contacts

program faculty

Jaclyn A. O'Toole

Assistant Prof. of Dance and Dance Program Coordinator

704.330.1392

Read Jaclyn's Profile