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
Born and raised in Oxnard and Ventura, Anthony Thomas was discovered by Janet Jackson at the age of 20. He catapulted to worldwide fame for his groundbreaking choreography on Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 album. An overnight sensation, Thomas' Rhythm Nation 1814 tele-musical won a Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video, MTV's Music Award for Best Choreography, and the MTV Vanguard Award. The video is ranked on MTV and VH1's lists of Greatest 100 Videos of all time. He recently published a memoir about his experience titled, Anthony Thomas’ Rhythm Nation Experience: The behind the scenes story of Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation” 1714 Album project and tour.
He will set the legendary Rhythm Nation choreography on CSUCI Dance Studies students, alumni, and dancers from throughout
Ventura County. This will be performed during CSUCI’s Homecoming events on Saturday,
October 11, 2025.
Located on the CSUCI campus, Malibu 120 will once again transform from a dance studio
to an electrifying black box theater this coming November. This year our student choreographers
include Natasha Arce, Kortni Godsey, Jessica López Hernández, Madison Simpson and
Mahala Emeka, Amy Wanwoerkom, and Promise Walters.CI dance students will also perform
choreography from Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation set by legendary choreographer Anthony
Thomas. From energetic rhythms to slow melodic riffs, CI dancers will take the stage
to present their semester long compositions.
The hip hop program at CI Dance Studies led by @seoulsonyk is designed to introduce
students to many dance styles under the umbrella of #hiphopdance: breaking, house,
party dances, Vogue, Dancehall, popping, locking, waacking, and tap. To find out more
information about the #dancestudies major and minor programs, please visit our website
in our bio.
Follow us on Instagram! @CIDanceStudies
Curriculum and flowchart (PDF, 39.4KB)