Belhaven University's Dance Department Celebrates 30 Years of Excellence
September 9, 2024 (Jackson, Miss.) - Belhaven University’s Dance Department is celebrating 30 years of excellence in dance instruction. This 30th anniversary will highlight the departments commitment to the art of dance and its many renowned professors and alumni from the past and present.
To commemorate this milestone, the university is inviting dance alumni and their families to a special reunion on campus from November 8-9, 2024. The 30th Anniversary of Belhaven University Dance will feature a variety of activities including open dance classes, social events, an improv jam, a tour of the new facilities, and complimentary attendance at the Fall Dance Concert.
Krista Bower, Chair of the Dance Department and Dean of the School of Fine Arts, expressed her enthusiasm for the occasion: "We are thrilled to reconnect with dance alumni as we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Belhaven University Dance Department. God's faithfulness and blessings have been evident throughout the development of the program. We are eager to share memories while also looking ahead to the bright future of the Dance Department."
Cynthia Newland, currently an adjunct instructor of dance, was Belhaven’s Chair of the Dance Department from 2003-2016. Over the years, Newland has seen many changes but has noticed one aspect that has not changed and has remained a constant. “The University’s mission to prepare students academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships and in the world of ideas has remained constant,” observed Newland. “By fostering a supportive environment where academic rigor meets spiritual growth, Belhaven University encourages students to engage with diverse perspectives, collaborate across disciplines, and develop a holistic understanding of their calling to impact the world for Christ.”
The Dance Department at Belhaven University has a rich history that dates back to 1994 when a dance minor was established in collaboration with Ballet Magnificat, a professional Christian ballet company based in Jackson, MS. This partnership led to the sharing of facilities and faculty, setting the foundation for the dance major program that launched in 1997. The department's growth continued with the construction of two spacious dance studios in 2000.
In 2005, Belhaven University received prestigious accreditation from the National Association of Schools for Dance. This accomplishment made Belhaven one of only 39 colleges and universities in the country to be nationally accredited in all four fine arts programs: Dance, Theatre, Music, and Visual Arts. The following year, the Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center, a 42,756-square-foot facility featuring five state-of-the-art dance studios, faculty offices, and a dance clinic, was opened, thanks to a generous gift from the Irby family.
The Dance Department has continued to expand its offerings and reputation. In 2013, Belhaven added an MFA in Dance program, making it the only evangelical Christian university in the nation to offer a terminal degree in dance. The department also hosted the American College Dance Association's (ACDA) South Regional Conference in both 2013 and 2024, drawing hundreds of students and faculty to campus for classes, lectures, performances, and adjudication. Additionally, the department was honored with invitations to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in 2016 and 2018 as part of ACDA's National College Dance Festival.
In 2020, the Dance Department began a Pilates Instructor Training program, enabling students to earn Pilates Mat and Reformer teaching certifications alongside their degrees. In 2023, Belhaven acquired the archives of the International Guild for Musicians in Dance, solidifying its status as a leader in fostering collaboration between live music and dance.
Belhaven Dance alumni have made significant impacts in the dance world, working as performers, choreographers, educators, administrators, and producers globally. Notable alumni affiliations include Texas Ballet Theater, Doug Varone and Dancers, Ballet 5:8, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Marigny Opera Ballet, Inlet Dance Theatre, Ballet Arkansas, Bruce Wood Dance, Ad Deum Dance Company, Zion Dance Project, The Georgia Ballet, and more.