Courses to Begin Fall 2008

American Ballet Theatre and New York University have entered into a partnership to offer the first ever Master of Arts in Dance Education with a concentration in Ballet Pedagogy. This ground-breaking degree is offered through the Dance Education Program at the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development through its Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions. The new program can be completed in three semesters of full-time study. The program will welcome its first class in Fall 2008.

The NYU/ABT collaboration is a 36-point master’s degree program that prepares dance teachers for studios, conservatories, and company schools, as well as for further doctoral study in dance education and teaching in higher education. Students in the program will examine the study of ballet technique for the express purpose of developing research-informed and proficient teachers who possess a complete understanding of the use of the biomechanics of movement, artistic imagery, and the development of students on professional and recreational tracks of study. Integrated fieldwork studies with American Ballet Theatre’s training programs and ballet company will give students the opportunity to cultivate professional networks in the dance capital of the world. Students will also visit other exemplary artistic, teaching, and learning venues in New York City.

Unique courses in the curriculum include Methods & Materials for Teaching Dance, Teaching Performance and Composition, Ballet Fieldwork and Analysis, Creative Movement for the Studio School, Dancing Jazz through History, Dance Education Research, Principles and Processes of Dance Administration, and Teaching Apprenticeship. Students can also select from a diverse selection of courses such as African Dance, Dance for the Special Child, and Hip-Hop. Culminating projects for the degree include the development of a unique syllabus with a related research project and business plan tailored to individual teaching contexts.

ABT faculty for the NYU Master’s degree program include Franco De Vita, principal of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre and Raymond Lukens, a faculty member at ABT’s JKO School. NYU Steinhardt Dance Education faculty include Dr. Susan Koff, director of the dance education program, and Barbara Bashaw, associate director.

“This academic partnership between NYU Steinhardt and American Ballet Theatre is unique in the world of higher education,” said Mary Brabeck, dean of the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. “It is just one example of the kinds of partnerships Steinhardt is forging with cultural and educational organizations throughout New York City. This new curriculum, drawing on the expertise and talent of both ABT and NYU Dance Education faculty, will provide a wealth of learning opportunities for our students.”

“We are delighted to be partnering with NYU on such an extraordinary program,” said Rachel Moore, executive director of American Ballet Theatre. “The opportunity to marry excellence in academics with excellence in dance pedagogy is thrilling. Through this program ABT and NYU will be working together to raise the quality of dance training across America. I believe this will be a tremendous step forward for the dance field and will benefit many young artists nationally.”

Applications for the NYU/ABT Master’s degree program are available through the NYU Steinhardt Office of Graduate Admissions at http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/graduate_admissions/. Applications for Fall 2008 must be submitted by January 6, 2008.

Additional information on the M.A. program in ABT Ballet Pedagogy at NYU Steinhardt can be obtained through NYU’s website at: http://.steinhardt.nyu.edu/ABTBalletPedagogy.

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