"Faculty - Assistant Professor of Ballet"

Faculty - Assistant Professor of Ballet

Salary: Depends on Qualifications

Job Type: FT Faculty

Job Number: FY2604994

Closing: 11/12/2025 11:59 PM Mountain

Location: 800 W University Parkway, Orem

Division: VP Academic Affairs

Position Announcement

The Department of Dance invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Ballet position, beginning August 2026. Responsibilities include teaching multiple levels of ballet technique and core curriculum courses, mentoring students, supporting diverse student populations, contributing to administrative duties, and participating in faculty meetings. This tenure-track position requires a sustained commitment to excellence in teaching, ongoing scholarly and/or creative activity, and meaningful service to the department, college, and university.

The mission of the Department of Dance is to foster academic and artistic excellence through an intensive technical and reflective study of dance. Connected through a common core curriculum with several areas of emphasis, our program provides a rich and stimulating environment where students cultivate their technical, aesthetic, creative, and scholarly potential. We value experiences with a variety of teaching methods and curricular perspectives that engage students and promote dance as an artistic and cultural expression with the power to enrich and transform the individual, community, and society.

UVU, located in Orem, Utah, is a comprehensive state institution of higher education with over 46,000 students. Orem is on the western front of the Wasatch Mountains and offers access to numerous outdoor activities including snow sports, hiking, mountain biking, and hunting. The Wasatch Front metropolitan area offers rich cultural opportunities in the arts including world-class music and professional dance companies. The UVU campus is served by a wonderful public transit system, including a rail line that runs along the entire Wasatch Front urban corridor. The UVU School of the Arts has strong ties with other universities and with professionals in the arts in Utah. UVU and the School of the Arts strongly supports undergraduate creative endeavors as well as service learning, offering many opportunities to engage, learn hands on, and make an impact on campus and in the community.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Prepares and teaches studio and theory-based dance courses using engaging, diverse methods aligned with measurable objectives. Delivers theory courses that explore dance history and cultural competencies, promoting critical understanding of varied cultural perspectives within the field. Provides instruction through demonstrations, discussions, experiential learning, and multimedia tools. Choreographs original works and/or re-stages classical repertory for student performances, directs student performance groups, and coordinates informal and formal concerts. Develops and updates instructional materials such as syllabi, assessments, and course resources. Evaluates student learning through written, oral, practical, and performance-based assessments. Maintains a student-centered approach by holding regular office hours and providing academic advising. Keeps accurate records of student grades, attendance, and progress. Participates in curriculum development and departmental planning to ensure program relevance and effectiveness. Engages students through community projects, field trips, and digital learning platforms. Collaborates with faculty, staff, and administration to support a high-quality, inclusive educational environment.
• Devotes time to creative/scholarly/professional activities. Engage in ongoing creative and scholarly activities to support professional growth in ballet and dance. Stay current in the field by researching and integrating materials from academic and professional sources into teaching. Participate in workshops, residencies, and industry programs to maintain and enhance artistic and pedagogical skills. Contribute original creative work or research that advances the discipline and connects with the professional dance community.
• Participates in service to the Dance Department, School of the Arts, and University through committee work and required meetings. Assists the Program Coordinator and Department Chair with administrative duties and departmental initiatives. Contributes to the development of departmental goals and supports institutional service efforts.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

M.F.A. or doctorate, or the foreign equivalent, in dance from an accredited institution. Evidence of professional experience in the dance field. The applicant must have two or more years of experience training and educating pre-professional or professional level dancers.

Preferred Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have produced creative work and presented professional writing or research in refereed and/or other professional venues.

Documents Needed to Apply

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Work Sample (web link to choreography, teaching, or published writing)

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Knowledge

• Comprehensive understanding of classical ballet pedagogy, including methodologies, historical lineages, and stylistic variations.
• Strong foundation in dance theory, including dance history, aesthetics, and cultural studies.
• Understanding of safe dance practices, anatomy, and injury prevention specific to ballet training.
• Awareness of current trends and global perspectives in dance education and cultural context, including aspects of AI.

Skills

• Ability to teach all levels of ballet technique with clarity, rigor, and adaptability.
• Skilled in developing and delivering theory-based coursework that fosters critical thinking and cultural literacy.
• Ability to lead and direct student dance companies, including programming, casting, rehearsals, and production oversight.
• Strong communication and classroom management skills to support student engagement and learning.
• Collaborative and professional in working with faculty, staff, and students on creative and academic initiatives.

Abilities

• Ability to design and teach ballet-specific and theory courses, including Pointe, Partnering, Pedagogy, Allegro, and Choreography.
• Capacity to integrate theory and practice meaningfully across technique and academic coursework.
• Ability to mentor and lead student performance projects, including rehearsals and production oversight.
• Commitment to inclusive teaching practices, ongoing professional development, and departmental service.
• Ability to teach face-to-face and online courses.