The Hartt Dance Division is dedicated to preparing students for meaningful lifelong professional careers in the demanding and evolving field of Dance. Through rigorous, innovative, and integrated learning experiences our students develop their abilities to successfully navigate unique career journeys. Our culture of deeply supported learning engages students in professionally relevant and diverse performing, teaching, and creative opportunities that have an international scope and real world significance. Our graduates emerge with a substantial set of skills which allow them to thrive in the changing world they are entering.
In order to do this effectively, we have created a unique curriculum which integrates skill sets with broad applications and exposure to the larger field of dance related occupations. Our curriculum supports the performer, the teacher, and the creator.
We offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance in which our students develop their skills through many performance opportunities, and participation in a rigorous conservatory-style curriculum with expert instruction from world-renowned faculty and guest artists. Performance opportunities begin in the first year of study and are available to all majors. Students train in classical ballet, modern dance, and contemporary techniques with additional coursework in music, dance composition, pedagogy, performance techniques, kinesiology, repertory, technology in dance, and dance history. It is our goal to graduate technically competent, knowledgeable artists who can embrace the varied demands of a lifelong career in dance and are prepared to lead the field into the future.
The University of Hartford is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance.
Best College Dance Programs for 2025-2026
For the seventh year in a row, Hartt Dance has been included in DanceUS.org's list of best college dance programs in the USA for 2025-2026. DanceUS.org is the leading portal for dance professionals, learners, and enthusiasts. Our previous story on last year's accolade is below; stay tuned for an update later this spring for an updated story.
Dance Faculty
Dance
Beyond the Stage
In addition, all of our dance majors are eligible to pursue a wide variety of academic minors within the University of Hartford. Business, Entrepreneurial Studies, Performing Arts Management, Communication, Art History, and Psychology are examples of a few of our current students’ choices of minors.
Performance Opportunities
Hartt's Dance Division produces two main-stage concerts every year showcasing students in the works of the most significant choreographers past and present. Concerts are fully produced and often in collaboration with the live music from Hartt musicians. In addition, dance students perform in Musical Theatre and Opera productions as well as in an ever-expanding roster of mentored interdisciplinary collaborative events.
As part of their composition curriculum, fourth year dance majors present two black box concerts of their choreography each year, one of which is in collaboration with Hartt composers. They hold auditions and cast their undergraduate classmates in their work. The educational experience exactly mirrors that of a professional choreographer's responsibilities. Students also commission solo choreography from professional choreographers for this performance.
While matriculating to graduation, students in good standing are selected to perform with many professional companies including Hartford Stage, Hartford Symphony, others.
Victoria Sames
BFA, Ballet Pedagogy and Performance, 2017
Victoria is currently a New York City-based freelance artist working with Twyla Tharp Dance, Pigeonwing Dance, The New Jack Cole Dancers, and in film and television. While at Hartt she performed in works by José Limón, Adam Barruch, Manuel Vignoulle, Gemma Bond and Norbert De La Cruz III. Post-graduation she secured a teaching position working at Ballet Tech under the direction of Eliot Feld and continues to teach, coach and choreograph in and around the tri-state area. She has performed at some of New York’s prestigious theaters such as the Minskoff Theatre for Broadway Cares EFA, The Joyce Theater, Little Island in ‘How Long Blues’, Baruch Performing Arts Center and at the New York Botanical Garden. Under the direction of Gabrielle Lamb, she has performed in ‘The Carpet Series’: a series of over 200 compact outdoor performances to date in parks and on sidewalks across the five boroughs. ‘Rising’, a new work with Pigeonwing Dance performed with the Grammy nominated Neave Trio will be touring and making its NYC debut April, 2026. Featured in a collection of works in Howard Schatz’s newest book ‘Pairs’, she modeled for “Dance Study 1439”. Victoria is a proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA appearing in television and film including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Maestro and A Complete Unknown.
Hartt really prepared me for the endurance and adaptability I've needed to excel in rigorous work environments. The core technical fundamentals I learned while at school I believe to be an incredible grab bag of knowledge I continue to tap into while I learn and grow as an artist.