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Motherhood in Motion
Jingqiu Guan’s Research Choreographs the Invisible Labor of Motherhood
What the Ground Holds
Tristian Griffin summons ancestry through movement
Master of Fine Arts in Dance
Applications are open for the Duke Dance MFAEIP Program through December 18
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News

  • Jingqiu Guan in front of a self expression tunnel covered in spray painted art on Duke University's campus.
    Jingqiu Guan’s Research Choreographs the Invisible Labor of Motherhood
  • A collage of Natalia Melbard in the lab and on the dance floor at Duke University.
    This Duke BME Student Isn’t Just Building Devices — She’s Finding Balance
  • Duke Dance students pose with a Martha Graham poster in New York City.
    Duke Dance Students Take Their Practice to New York City
  • Headshot of Michela Arietti.
    Michela Arietti '26: From Ballet to Brain Science
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Duke University Dance Program

The Duke University Dance Program focuses on dance as an integral part of the human experience and a medium for rigorous intellectual creativity. Our program prepares exceptionally aware, creative and socially responsible individuals. Our aim is to engage students in the profound potential for dance as embodied knowledge in the service of society. The Dance Program curriculum is designed to encourage the exploration of dance from interdisciplinary perspectives: historical, cultural, aesthetic, literary, technological, musical, scientific and creative.

Undergraduate Program

Offering a major and minor, our provides unique opportunities to encounter global dance traditions and movement experimentation for discovery, inquiry and discourse. The curriculum is designed to suit the interests of students with varied levels of experience in dance, encouraging them in multi- and inter-disciplinary engagements.

Read more about the undergraduate program

Featured Courses

Featured Course
Dancing States of Mind: The Self, Social and Political Practice of Dance
DANCE 309S

Practice-based studio work, discussion, and readings in current political discourse, System Theory, contemporary philosophy and cultural theory. Reveals the culturally constructed nature of dance in… read more about Dancing States of Mind: The Self, Social and Political Practice of Dance »

African & African Diaspora Dance Technique: Foundations, Lineages, and Living Practice
DANCE 242

** available as of 2026-08-15 read more about African & African Diaspora Dance Technique: Foundations, Lineages, and Living Practice »

See All Courses

Graduate Program

The Master of Fine Arts in Dance: Embodied Interdisciplinary Praxis is a 2-year, full-time terminal degree in Dance. The program endorses dance as a politically, socially and spiritually transformative force in society. The MFA encourages practice-based, interdisciplinary research that has the potential to result in tangible contributions to society at large.

Read more about the graduate program

Faculty & Student Research

Tristian Griffin makes a powerful dance movement with his arms. On one arm is bright red paint.
Tristian Griffin, MFA '26: Documenting Ancestry Through Movement
April 27, 2026
headshot of Aissatou Diallo
Follow a Capstone Project In Progress
March 5, 2026
whale puppet and handlers march through parade
MFA in Dance Alum & Arts+ Residency
August 8, 2025
Clay Taliaferro in black and white
Dance Emeritus Clay Taliaferro Honored by American Dance Festival
June 6, 2025
Sade Jones dancing
The Class of 2025’s Got Talent
May 7, 2025
Iyun Harrison and Leah Esemuede
Duets Episode 4: Turn the Lights On
August 13, 2024
André Harris Jr. presenting his original spoken word accompanied by images from the Black Lives Matter movement
When Isolation Ignites Change: New Course Fuses Arts Activism with Technology
March 11, 2024
Iyun Harrison
Iyun Ashani Harrison: ADF 2024 Made in NC artist
December 19, 2023
SarahAnne Perel
SarahAnne Perel is pursuing a career without limits
November 17, 2023
Michael Klein
Michael Kliën reflects on ethical questions in his work
November 14, 2023
mfa 2023
Congratulations, MFA in Dance Class of 2023
May 2, 2023
Iyun Harrison ACC
Iyun Ashani Harrison to speak on antiracist teaching and professional practices
October 10, 2022

Alumni Highlights

Spencer Paez T'13
Spencer Paez T'13
Maurice Ivy Dowell, T'16
Maurice Ivy Dowell, T'16
Lexy Lattimore, T'14
Lexy Lattimore, T'14
Rebecca Pham, T14
Rebecca Pham, T14
Anne Talkington, T'15
Anne Talkington, T'15
Elisa Schreiber, T'05
Elisa Schreiber, T'05
Stephanie Joe, T'16
Stephanie Joe, T'16
Kara Medoff Barnett, T'2000
Kara Medoff Barnett, T'2000
Anna Hevia T'12
Anna Hevia T'12

Read All Alumni Highlights

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Dance Program

2020 Campus Drive
Rubenstein Arts Center, Suite 209
Box 90686
Durham, NC 27705
Phn: 919.660.3353
Fax: 919.668.7858

danceprogram@duke.edu

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