Dance Program
Find Your Artistic Home in Dance at Central Washington University
At Central Washington University, dance is more than a major—it’s a community. Our program is designed for students who are passionate about movement, creativity, and growth, and who want an educational experience that challenges them artistically while supporting them personally.
Why Dance at CWU?
The CWU Dance Program offers rigorous, well-rounded training grounded in modern, jazz, ballet, composition, and pedagogy. Students are encouraged to explore diverse styles, experiment with interdisciplinary approaches, and develop a strong technical foundation alongside a distinct artistic voice.
What truly sets our program apart is the close mentorship and sense of belonging. Our faculty are dedicated artist‑educators who work closely with students in small classes, fostering meaningful relationships and individualized guidance. You won’t be lost in the crowd here—your goals, ideas, and growth matter.
Students perform regularly, collaborate across disciplines, and have opportunities to create original work, gaining real experience both on stage and behind the scenes. Whether your interests include performance, choreography, teaching, or graduate study, CWU provides the tools and support to help you shape a sustainable and fulfilling path.
A Place to Focus, Create, and Connect
Located in Ellensburg, Washington, CWU offers a vibrant college‑town environment surrounded by incredible natural beauty. This setting gives students space to focus deeply on their craft while building strong connections within the department and across campus. We provide annual guest artist collaborations and aim to primarily highlight Pacific Northwest Artists to create local and regional connections.
Is CWU the Right Fit for You?
If you’re looking for:
- Individualized attention and mentorship
- A collaborative, inclusive dance community
- Strong technique paired with creative exploration
- Frequent performance and choreographic opportunities
Then the CWU Dance Program may be the perfect place for you.
Visit Us
There’s no better way to experience CWU Dance than seeing it for yourself. We invite you to visit campus, observe a class, meet faculty and students, and imagine what your future here could look like.
👉 Schedule a campus visit or contact us to learn more about auditions, admissions, and upcoming events.
We would love to welcome you to Central Washington University and introduce you to our dance community.
We want to see even more students gain real-world, paid working experience before they graduate. With our expert faculty and the strong relationships we have built with our industry partners, we will be able to train more workforce-ready students than our competitors.
Sathy Rajendran, Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies
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Questions? Contact Us
Gabrielle McNeillie
400 East University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7572
Assistant Professor