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

University of Iowa has used $25M in P3 funds for hiring, retention

Tuesday, June 24, 2025
$3 million in P3 funds in the new year will go toward Performing Arts Annex (PAX) renovations — which are expected to wrap in August 2026, providing a new home for the Department of Dance.

Department of Dance April e-News

Monday, April 28, 2025
Sharing announcements, awards, and accomplishments from Iowa Department of Dance alumni, faculty, and students--including a retirement announcement.

Events

Dance Gala promotional image

Dance Gala

Friday, October 17, 2025 7:30pm
Hancher Auditorium
A celebration of dance featuring the artistry of University of Iowa students and faculty.The University of Iowa Department of Dance presents new and restaged works by faculty members–including Gloria Sitso Ahlijah, Eloy Barragán, Christopher-Rasheem McMillan, and Jenn Pray–and creative collaborators. The program also includes Trisha Brown's Foray Forêt staged by Melinda Jean Myers, a UI assistant professor and former member of Brown's company. The work will also be performed by UI dance students...
Dance Gala promotional image

Dance Gala

Saturday, October 18, 2025 7:30pm
Hancher Auditorium
A celebration of dance featuring the artistry of University of Iowa students and faculty.The University of Iowa Department of Dance presents new and restaged works by faculty members–including Gloria Sitso Ahlijah, Eloy Barragán, Christopher-Rasheem McMillan, and Jenn Pray–and creative collaborators. The program also includes Trisha Brown's Foray Forêt staged by Melinda Jean Myers, a UI assistant professor and former member of Brown's company. The work will also be performed by UI dance students...
International Writing Program & Dance Collaboration promotional image

International Writing Program & Dance Collaboration

Saturday, October 25, 2025 8:00pm
Space Place Theater
An Iowa tradition connects writers from around the world and Department of Dance students.Every year, the University of Iowa's International Writing Program welcomes distinguished writers from around the world for a three-month residency. These visiting writers connect with students and faculty in the UI Department of Dance to develop a collaborative performance. Dancers and writers converse across written, spoken, and movement languages, but also through a shared creative practice. It's an...

Trisha Brown Dance Company

Friday, November 7, 2025 7:30pm
Hancher Auditorium
Dancing with Bob: Rauschenberg, Brown & Cunningham OnstagePart of Hancher's 53rd seasonIn collaboration with the Merce Cunningham Trust and the Robert Rauschenberg FoundationPresented in collaboration with the University of Iowa Department of Dance and School of Art, Art History, and DesignAn essential company honors a vital artist in a program also featuring UI dancers.In celebration of the centennial of iconoclastic American artist Robert Rauschenberg, the Trisha Brown Dance Company performs D...
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