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We visited Macalester two years ago, after acceptance, and were favorably impressed by the Dance prof--modern, U. of Utah, former pro, warm and friendly--and the studios and theater. Dance is part of the Dept. of Theater and Dance. Theater is strong at Macalester and in the Twin Cities in general (the Guthrie). Ballet and world dance forms are taught by visiting faculty, from the U of Minnesota and elsewhere. Jazz and tap were not offered.
The dance concert we saw was run smoothly by students--the prof. spent the hour before the concert showing us around--and was very well-attended by members of the community as well as students. The performers varied in ability from first-year beginners (competent and well-rehearsed) to dancers at upper intermediate levels. We did not see advanced/professional dancers, but were told there were good connections with the dance community in the Twin Cities and a couple of former students were currently dancing in companies in the area.
DD ultimately decided on a BFA dance program, but we'd both recommend Macalester to a dancer who wants an excellent liberal arts college, where he or she would be able to dance, perform, and improve, especially for a scholarly student with an interest in modern and world dance and theater arts. Dance classes are predominantly female, but not exclusively. That's partly because Macalester attracts international students, including a number from African countries--the former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is an alumnus. We also noted that Macalester has a strong, traditional art department, an architecture program with Washington U. in St. Louis, and an exchange arrangement with the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
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