CCBC Garners National Accreditation For Its Dance Program

Association of Schools of Dance (NASD) has approved the Community College of Baltimore County's Dance program for initial accreditation. This designation is based on an NASD site visit and an intensive self-study.

According to William E. Watson, dean of the School of Liberal Arts, "This achievement makes CCBC one of only two community colleges in the nation to hold national accreditation in all four arts disciplines - Theatre, Music, Dance and Visual Arts."

CCBC President Sandra L. Kurtinitis adds, "This new exalted status for our Dance program positions us to recruit more budding dancers, secure great transfer partnerships, and reflects CCBC's continuing commitment to excellence in all of the Arts."

The CCBC Dance program offers a rigorous program of dance technique, creative courses, performance opportunities and strong dance academics leading to either of two degrees - Associate of Fine Arts: Dance, Fine and Performing Arts and Associate of Arts: Dance, Humanities and Social Sciences. "The majority of students who complete their Dance degree at CCBC transfer to a four-year institution to continue their dance studies," notes Melinda Blomquist, artistic director for the CCBC Dance Company.

The academic mission of the Dance program is to provide students with opportunities to gain personal instruction through small class sizes, study with experienced faculty who are working professionals and be exposed to a broad spectrum of dance - from classical ballet to modern dance. Students will also develop the physical and technical skills necessary to communicate through dance and participate in performance events.

CCBC Dance program alumni include internationally renowned choreographer, dancer and movement director Peter Pucci (Peter Pucci Plus Dancers, Pucci Sport), and dancer, choreographer and CCBC Adjunct Faculty Adrienne Kraus Latanishen (The Collective; Blue Shift Dance Company). Dance program alumni are currently dancing with The Collective, Deep Vision Dance Company, Trajectory Dance Project, Maryland Dance Ensemble, and the Zion Dance Project.

To see the CCBC Dance Company in action, attend its Fall 2018 Dance Concert Nov. 15-17 in the Center for the Arts Theatre at CCBC Catonsville, 800 South Rolling Road, Catonsville, Md. 21228. General admission is $10; seniors, students, CCBC faculty, staff and alumni are $5, and current CCBC students with IDs are free. Call the CCBC Box Office for times and tickets at 443-840-ARTS (2787).

To post a comment, you must register and login.