University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

The programme balances practical studio work, creative composition and scholarly study. Core studio modules develop technique across multiple dance forms, typically including ballet, modern/contemporary, jazz, improvisation and contact work, alongside focused study in Hawaiian, Polynesian and other Pacific dance traditions. Choreography and composition modules train students in creative processes, score-making, collaborative devising and production skills. Academic units explore dance history, ethnography of dance, movement analysis, anatomy and kinesiology for dancers, and performance studies.

Students take ensemble and performance lab courses that provide regular public performance opportunities and experience in rehearsal practice, stagecraft and production. Electives and interdisciplinary options allow study in related areas such as music, theatre, Asian and Pacific Islander studies, education and community arts practice. Final-year work commonly includes a choreographic project or capstone performance alongside reflective research or a written dissertation.

• Technique classes: ballet, modern/contemporary, jazz
• Hawaiian and Pacific dance forms: hula, Polynesian dance traditions
• Choreography, composition and improvisation
• Dance history, ethnography and cultural context
• Anatomy, kinesiology and injury prevention for dancers
• Performance lab, production and stagecraft
• Interdisciplinary electives and research methods

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have completed secondary education or an equivalent qualification. Admission typically requires an audition and may request a portfolio or a short statement of purpose outlining dance experience and goals. Auditions assess technical proficiency, musicality, movement quality and potential for further development; they usually include prepared material plus set technique exercises. Academic transcripts are reviewed as part of the application.

International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through recognised tests or prior study in English. Mature applicants with substantial practical experience in dance are considered, and transfer students should consult the department about credit recognition and prerequisite studio levels.

Career prospects

Graduates enter a wide range of careers across the creative and cultural sectors. Typical pathways include work as professional performers and company dancers, choreographers and rehearsal directors, and teachers in community, private studio and school settings (additional teaching certification may be required for public school roles). Other routes include arts administration, production and stage management, cultural programming and outreach, festival curation, and community-engaged arts practice.

With further study or complementary qualifications, graduates can pursue careers in dance therapy, higher education, research, or specialist roles in movement science, physiotherapy support for performers and interdisciplinary performance-making. The programme’s grounding in Hawaiian and Pacific dance also supports roles in cultural preservation, education and tourism-related performance industries.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Studying dance at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offers a unique fusion of rigorous contemporary training and deep engagement with Indigenous Hawaiian and Pacific dance traditions, reflecting the university’s geographical and cultural location. The department’s faculty include practitioners and scholars with expertise in choreography, ethnodance, pedagogy and performance, providing mentorship across performance and research pathways.

Students benefit from dedicated studio spaces and performance venues, regular public and community-facing performance opportunities, and interdisciplinary links across Pacific Islands Studies, music and theatre. The programme’s community connections and cultural focus make it especially suited to students who want to develop technical skills while engaging responsibly with local dance practices and cultural contexts.