Students of dance at The University of North Carolina Wilmington receive intensive and exciting studio instruction while pursuing a comprehensive liberal arts education.  The main goal of the dance area is to motivate each student to strive for creative self expression and excellence while achieving his or her own level of artistic and academic success.  Dance classes are designed to develop and challenge the technical and artistic ability of each student in a nurturing and stimulating environment. 

Along with Modern and Ballet classes, students can choose to take either Introduction to Dance (an introductory class which incorporates dance history and appreciation and the understanding of dance as an art form) or Movement Exploration (an exploration of basic choreographic phrases and movement theory).   Each class will challenge the dance student to participate on both an artistic and intellectual level as they strive to reach their own potential as creative and independent artists. 

Master classes are an important part of dance training at UNCW.  Guest artists have come from such nationally renowned companies as Ronald K. Brown/Evidence Dance Company, Ailey II, Hubbard Street II, The African American Dance Ensemble, Bruce Wood Dance Company, and a host of others, presented by the UNCW Arts in Action Series. 

UNCW dance students also have the opportunity to take class and perform with The Dance Cooperative, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing affordable, professional classes to both the UNCW and Wilmington community.  The Dance Cooperative hosts many performance opportunities for students including annual concerts, the Wilmington leg of The North Carolina Dance Festival, and “Dance-a-lorus”, a collaborative event with Cucalorus International Film Festival. 

In April 2008, the department showcased its first ever dance concert interspersed with musical theatre. Dance pieces were choreographed by part-time faculty, Nancy Podrasky Carson, student, Allison Cornett, and guests, Karola Luttringhaus of Alban Elved (UNCW's resident dance company), and Philip McGee. Musical theatre pieces were directed by part-time music faculty, Marina De Ratmiroff. Costumes were designed by faculty, Mark D. Sorensen and Margaret Robbs. Lighting was designed by faculty, Fereshteh Rostampour and student, Andrew Wellons. Faculty Craig Steenerson provided technical direction and sound. The show was a tremendous success.

In July 2007, UNCW hosted the first month-long Carolina Ballet Residency that culminated in sell-out performances in both the Cultural Arts Building and Kenan Auditorium. Carolina Ballet will return for 5 weeks this summer.

In June 2006, dance professor, Nancy Carson performed in The Kenan Hall SRO with the Dance Cooperative in Summer Nights Under the Stars; a collaborative effort between UNCW Theatre and UNCW Public Service and Continuing studies.