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

HQ Review: MADCO and Jennifer Kayle present PULSE/imPULSE

Friday, March 20, 2026
At a time when the world feels like it’s burning down, we reach for a remedy; a quick pick-me-up, an escape, or the great salve of self introspection. MADCO’s PULSE/imPULSE concert Feb 20 at COCA’s Staenberg Performance Lab explored each approach with collaborator Jennifer Kayle, head of the University of Iowa’s Department of Dance. The evening highlighted the active artistic exchange between Iowa City and St. Louis.

March News from the UI Department of Dance

Monday, March 9, 2026
An opportunity to share your memories of Halsey Hall, and an invitation to join us in Iowa City

Events

Dance Thesis Concert: Lauren Linder, Mikey Rioux promotional image

Dance Thesis Concert: Lauren Linder, Mikey Rioux

Thursday, April 2, 2026 8:00pm
Space Place Theater

Free and open to the public.

This performance will feature works choreographed by graduate students Lauren Linder and Mikey Rioux from the University of Iowa Department of Dance.

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...

Dance Thesis Concert: Lauren Linder, Mikey Rioux promotional image

Dance Thesis Concert: Lauren Linder, Mikey Rioux

Friday, April 3, 2026 8:00pm
Space Place Theater

Free and open to the public.

This performance will feature works choreographed by graduate students Lauren Linder and Mikey Rioux from the University of Iowa Department of Dance.

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...

Dance Thesis Concert: Lauren Linder, Mikey Rioux promotional image

Dance Thesis Concert: Lauren Linder, Mikey Rioux

Saturday, April 4, 2026 8:00pm
Space Place Theater

Free and open to the public.

This performance will feature works choreographed by graduate students Lauren Linder and Mikey Rioux from the University of Iowa Department of Dance.

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...

Dance BFA Concert promotional image

Dance BFA Concert

Thursday, April 16, 2026 8:00pm
Space Place Theater

This performance will feature works choreographed by Bachelor of Fine Arts students Evelyn Becker, Madison Burkhart, Ruby Gentzler, Claudia Jacobson, Allyson Meinders, Emily Pyburn, and Lindsey Wildman from the University of Iowa Department of Dance.

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