Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Florida State University’s School of Dance, in partnership with the College of Music, is launching a new Dance Accompanying Certificate program this fall. The program is designed to develop the skills, experience, and musical adaptability needed for musicians to work alongside performers and choreographers in academic institutions, conservatories, and professional dance studios.
Why it matters
Programs specifically focused on training musicians to accompany dance are extremely rare, making this new certificate program at FSU unique. By offering this specialized training, FSU is helping to fill a gap in the field and provide valuable skills to both its music and dance students.
The details
The Dance Accompanying Certificate is open to a wide range of instrumentalists, including those with formal or informal training at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Students will gain hands-on experience accompanying School of Dance classes under the guidance of experienced faculty from both the School of Dance and the College of Music. The program is the only university certificate of its kind in the U.S. with a specific emphasis on musical accompaniment for dance.
The Dance Accompanying Certificate program will launch this fall at Florida State University.
The players
Daniel Smith
School of Dance assistant professor and director of the new certificate program.
College of Fine Arts
The college overseeing the new Dance Accompanying Certificate program.
College of Music
The college partnering with the School of Dance to offer the new certificate program.
Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›
What they’re saying
“This certificate offers students a rare hands-on opportunity to develop both the musical and collaborative skills needed to work with dancers. Dance accompanying is a sophisticated musical practice that requires creativity, artistic awareness and a deep sensitivity to movement.”
— Daniel Smith, School of Dance assistant professor and director of the certificate program (Mirage News)
What’s next
Applications for the new Dance Accompanying Certificate program at Florida State University will open this fall.
The takeaway
By launching this unique certificate program, FSU is helping to address a significant gap in the training of musicians to work alongside dancers, providing valuable skills and experience that will benefit both its music and dance students as well as the broader dance field.