Why Iowa?

Iowa Dance is a close-knit creative community, nestled in the heart of a major university, in a vibrant small city that loves the arts and ideas. Guided by nationally respected artist-professors, you'll dance, study, and perform as part of a well-rounded liberal arts and sciences education.

Prepare for any career

Earn your MFA in choreography or performance

Extraordinary artists, scholars, and teachers

Join the Iowa Dance Family

We're a welcoming and supportive community of creators on a campus full of friendly people doing fascinating things. We invite you to train and perform with professors and fellow students who are as passionate about dance as you–and to develop your artistry, your career, and your knowledge of the world.

Write Your Story

You have lots of interests–and we want you to explore them all as part of our Iowa Dance family. As an undergraduate, we'll encourage you to double-major, to transcend disciplinary boundaries, and to build your unique life and career.

Earn your Masters of Fine Arts in Dance

Your MFA in Dance prepares you to take the next step in your professional journey. If you're an expressive, curious, and passionate dancer seeking an immersive education in a creative community through supportive, comprehensive training, we invite you to experience our graduate program.

undergraduate students practicing ballet at barres in Halsey Hall gym

1 ST

university to award MFA degree in the U.S.

undergraduate student Ellie Daley dressed in black dancing on the steps of Catlett Hall. she is linging forward with her arms stretched over her head in the opposite direction and looking back at the camera

12 +

student-led dance concerts and performances each year

1

The only comprehensive Dance Program in Iowa

dancer in Intermediate Jazz dance class. Primary Instructor, Lovar Kidd

64 %

of BA students are double majors

group of BFA students performing onstage

News and announcements

Meeting students where they are in graduate mentorship

Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Dance Professor Jennifer Kayle is featured in this story about the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award she received this spring.

CLAS faculty members receive grant for interdisciplinary project focused on the Iowa River

Thursday, April 17, 2025
Stephanie Miracle, an assistant professor in the Department of Dance, is leading a project that will guide the audience through an immersive journey.

Events

Dance Faculty/Grad Concert promotional image

Dance Faculty/Grad Concert

Thursday, April 24, 2025 8:00pm
Space Place Theater
Faculty/Grad ConcertAll performances are free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served.It's all part of #NewWorkCity, the spring initiative by #PerformingArtsAtIowa to highlight new work created by our talented graduate students in the performing arts. Join us as we celebrate one part of the full range of creative work happening at the University of Iowa. Keep an eye out for more posts this spring featuring #NewWorkCity: a nod to the energy and creativity that crackles across...
Dance Gala + UI Dance Company Auditions promotional image

Dance Gala + UI Dance Company Auditions

Friday, April 25, 2025 9:30am to 12:00pm
Halsey Hall
Friday, April 25 9:30–10:50 a.m., 11 a.m.–noon Audition for Dance Gala 2025 and UI Dance Company for the 2025-2026 season! The audition sign up and survey will be available April 14 at 9 a.m. Get full details at the online callboard: https://callboard.performingarts.uiowa.edu/dance-callboard/dance-auditions 
Dance Faculty/Grad Concert promotional image

Dance Faculty/Grad Concert

Friday, April 25, 2025 8:00pm
Space Place Theater
Faculty/Grad ConcertAll performances are free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served.It's all part of #NewWorkCity, the spring initiative by #PerformingArtsAtIowa to highlight new work created by our talented graduate students in the performing arts. Join us as we celebrate one part of the full range of creative work happening at the University of Iowa. Keep an eye out for more posts this spring featuring #NewWorkCity: a nod to the energy and creativity that crackles across...
Miyawaki Forest Tree Planting promotional image

Miyawaki Forest Tree Planting

Saturday, April 26, 2025 9:00am to 12:00pm
Hillcrest Hall
This exciting initiative aims to plant 4,000 native tree saplings and shrubs using the Miyawaki Method, a technique for densely planting native trees to create bio-diverse and self-sustaining forests.Getting There:The planting will take place on the northeast side of Hillcrest Residence Hall, east of Lot 13.Parking is limited, so we recommend using public transportation or carpooling.Lot 13: 25 public spots available after 4:30 p.m. weekdays and all day weekends.Lot 14: Public parking available...
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