About the Program
Our Dance Performance program trains versatile, forward-thinking artists for dynamic careers as performers, teachers, choreographers, and creative leaders in the field. You will dive deeply into technique, performance, and choreography while gaining real-world teaching experience and professional skills that translate across the evolving dance industry. As a student, you learn in an intensive, conservatory-style setting with access to the full academic and creative resources of the University of Hartford, from world-class faculty to interdisciplinary collaborations across campus. You are challenged every day in the studio and on stage but supported by a tight-knit community that prioritizes wellbeing, individuality, and artistic risk-taking.
This program is built for dancers who want to perform, create, teach, and lead—locally and globally—while staying curious, socially engaged, and adaptable throughout their careers. You graduate as a technically strong, informed artist ready to navigate multiple paths in the contemporary dance landscape and contribute meaningfully to the communities you serve.
For more information, and to see a complete list of degree requirements, visit the Course Catalog.
Career Ready
While at Hartt, there are four concert series produced each year. Two series feature professional works by professional leading choreographers, past and present (Balanchine, Tudor, Limón, Graham, Cunningham, Lar Lubovitch, Pascal Rioult, Hope Boykin, etc.) Two are directed and produced by graduating seniors who create their own group works and commission solos for themselves from professional choreographers.
Graduates perform all over the world with top companies like Paul Taylor, Martha Graham, Repertory Dance Theater, Broadway, José Limón, Charlotte Ballet, Whim W'him, Boston Dance Theater, and more. Many are also employed in teaching jobs with prestigious programs such as Feld Ballets, New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater and a host of top training programs.
Alexzander Larson
BFA, Dance Performance, 2022
Alexzander Larson (he/him), originally from Portland, Oregon, holds a BFA in Dance (’22) from The Hartt School. During this time, he had the privilege of performing works by José Limón, Merce Cunningham, Lar Lubovitch, Gabrielle Lamb, Jaclyn Buglisi, and Sir Richard Alston to name a few. In 2022 he was the inaugural recipient of the Merce Cunningham Trust’s Barbara Ensley Award. Alex has had the pleasure of dancing with Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, Des Moines Metropolitan Opera with choreographer Issac Martin Lerner, Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance, Cornfield Dance, Matthew Westerby Dance, and The Merce Cunningham Trust. He is currently a dancer with The Metropolitan Opera Ballet in NYC.
Hartt truly prepared me for my life as an artist post-graduation. I have so much gratitude for the faculty at Hartt. Their knowledge and generosity is rare; you won’t find it just anywhere!
Success Stories
Dance Faculty
Dance