About the Program:
The Dance Studies program at CSU Channel Islands centers on dance and movement as the embodied understanding of the human experience. Dance is where bodies--both individual and communal--find deeper connection to communities, social ideas, a complex global world, and human subjectivity. Throughout their journey at CI, regardless of ability or previous access, students will connect dance to heritage, history, and social structures, preparing them to be mindful citizens and dance artists, creating a more equitable world in the twenty-first century.
The Dance Studies Major prepares students to find their own creative identities by harnessing their knowledge of bodies, cultures, and global awareness, to work in the interconnected spheres of Hollywood, Broadway, concert dance, digital platforms, education, community organizing, arts activism, dance making, somatic practice, dance therapy, social work, arts administration, and to simply embrace the joy of dancing.
The Dance faculty at CSU Channel Islands has a wide range of experiences and awards such as the Associate Choreographer for the 20th Anniversary National Tour of Rent, the American Music Awards with Selena Gomez, Disney Special Events and Television Specials, award for Best Choreography from BroadwayWorld.Com, the CSU Faculty Innovation and Leadership Award, CSUCI President’s Award, the Christina Lindborg Schlundt Lecture Award, and more. As a student you will be prepared for a wide range of careers in dance and related fields through high impact practices shaped by people who know what is needed to have a lifelong career in dance. Students who have graduated from the dance program have entered into a diverse range of careers as talent agents, social workers using dance, professional dancers and artists, arts administrators, and dance educators.
Upcoming Events
Join us for Cal State Channel Islands, Dance Studies’ inaugural spring dance concert, ((echo/pulse)) in Malibu Hall’s black box theater. This 90-minute show will include original works in the styles of Hip Hop, Contemporary, Modern, Latin Ballroom, Tap, Hoop Dance, and more. From first-time choreographers to seasoned professionals this collection of works encapsulates the skill, spirit, and creativity of the cohort at CI Dance Studies.
Faculty and guest artists choreographers include Chair of Department of Dance, Music, and Theatre, Heather Castillo; Founder and Director of Selcouth Dance Theater Company Marianna Varviani; Artist-in-Residence Julian Xiong, and Lecturer Carina Fourmyle.
Student Choreographers and Performers include Anahi Aguilar, Natasha Arce, Jade Barth, Morgan Brito-Moore, Kortni Godsey, Jordyn Jaglowski, Jessica López-Hernandez, Estephanie Oregel, Rodrigo Ortiz-Martinez, Alberto Sanchez, Madison Simpson, Semira Steward, Marieanna Thao, Promise Walters, Samantha Yankee, and Adien Yniguez, and Sarah Ysordia.
Tickets are available at https://commerce.cashnet.com/PERART. This performance is appropriate for all ages. All children and student tickets are free for all performances. For more details, please visit the CI Dance Studies Flow Page.
Thursday, May,1 @ 8pm
Friday May 2 @ 8pm
Saturday May 3 @ 2pm & 8pm
CSUCI Dance Studies will hold its second annual culmination event which features Capstone presentations by Dance Studies minor Sarah Ysordia and majors Jade Barth, Jessica López Hernandez, and Estephanie Oregel, as well as a website presentation by major Gabriella Perry who previously presented her capstone last year. These presentations touch on subjects such as the experiences of first-generation Latine arts graduates, hoop/flow arts and its movement through time, the recognition of Mexican social dances, and accessibility in dance studies.
May 14, 2025, 4:00pm; Malibu Hall 120
Follow us on Instagram! @CIDanceStudies
Curriculum and flowchart (PDF, 39.4KB)