Dance

The mission of the MiraCosta Dance department is to create artistic and academic excellence by engaging our students in a diversity of dance techniques, choreography, performance and scholarly practices. We foster student engagement through creative and critical thinking and value artistic exploration enriching the individual, classroom and community.

Students may take courses to prepare for a dance major to transfer to a four-year institution, to earn an A.A. degree in dance, or to meet general education requirements. Performance opportunities are available to both majors and non-majors.

MCC Dance Presents

Career Options

Examples of careers in dance or dance-related fields include the following: Artistic Director/Rehearsal Director, Arts Administrator, Arts Council Director, Arts Lawyer, Athletic Trainer, Choreographer, College/University Educator, Costume or Lighting Designer, Dance Company Manager, Dance Critic, Dance Ethnologist/Historian, Dance Instructor, Dance Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy Assistant, Dance Studio Owner, Dance Writer, Grant Writer, Nutritionist/Dietician, Producer/Talent Agent, Professional Dancer, Publicist, Sales/Marketing Representative, Special Events Coordinator, Stage Manager, and Yoga/Pilates Instructor.

Note: Some of the careers listed require further education

Dance Major Spotlight

Caitlin Han

Jingwen Han (Caitlin) is an international student from China and this is how she found MiraCosta College. "In China, I had a teacher who helped me search American colleges that offer Dance as a major... I chose MiraCosta... it seemed like a really great place, and it's close to the ocean, because I am from the middle of China, and we don't have the ocean. MiraCosta offers a very rich dance culture, like Ballet, Jazz, and Pacific Island Dance, which makes me feel more comfortable. I like the smaller class sizes at MiraCosta because it has helped me with learning and speaking English, and it allows the teachers to work one-on-one with the students to help us grow our strengths." Caitlin received her Dance AA degree in Spring 2022 at MCC.

Learn more about the Dance program-

Edenly Gonzalez

Meet Dance Major, Edenly Gonzalez! Edenly discovered dance as her passion when she was in high school. Her inspiration to dance came from the energy and joy when she saw herself dance on video, and now her passion has grown into a desire to teach others about dance. She believes that if dance can make that big of a difference in her own life, it can do that for others as well. While she particularly enjoys learning Pacific Island Dance, her current area of expertise is Hip Hop. She received her Dance AA degree in Spring 2022 at MiraCosta and is currently completing her Dance Instructor Certificate.

Learn more about the Dance program-

Sathu Jois

Dance Major, Sathu Jois, started dancing at age 2, strengthening her passion and resolve over the years. Bonding with dance and getting closer to being herself made all the difference, and allowed her to work through difficult times, using dance as her creative outlet, where she could “leave everything on the floor.” MiraCosta has been the best two years of her life thus far, because of everything she has learned about herself and dance. Sathu received her Dance AA degree in Spring 2022 at MiraCosta and transferred to Loyola/Marymount.

Learn more about the Dance program-

What Dance Professionals Say About Our Dancers

                     		I appreciated the raw physicality of the dancers…the carving and not touching is
                     compelling. 
                     	
- Gesel Mason, 2017

                     		I enjoyed how dancers were very versatile, and embodied the piece… Beautiful to
                     see how people with different proportions, weights, heights tackle the partnering.
                     
                     	
- Ori Flomin, 2017

                     		I liked the investigation of each other's space without touching... possibilities
                     of romance. 
                     	
- Maura Keefe, 2017

Academic Programs in Dance

The academic maps will give you an idea of the classes you need to take. However, please meet with a counselor to personalize your education plan.

KEY:Certificate of ProficiencyCertificate of AchievementAssociate DegreeBachelor's Degree

Dance (prior training)	MAP	CAREERS
Dance (no prior training)	MAP	CAREERS
Dance Instructor (prior training)	MAP	CAREERS
Dance Instructor (no prior training)	MAP	CAREERS

Additional Resources

Be Our Partner: Donor Information
Dance Faculty
Dance Classes in the Catalog
Dance Videos: Check out some of the amazing performances by MiraCosta College students.
Photo Gallery: See some of the captured moments in the photo gallery.
Friends of Dance: Learn about Friends of Dance, a non-profit community support organization that benefits students in Dance.
Request Additional Information: Learn more about all that MiraCosta College has to offer.