Florida State University announced on March 17 that its School of Dance will introduce a new certificate program in dance accompanying this fall, aimed at providing formal training for musicians interested in working within the dance field.
The initiative is significant as it addresses a gap in specialized education for musicians who wish to collaborate with dancers and choreographers. The new Dance Accompanying Certificate, developed in partnership with the College of Music, is designed to equip students with the skills and adaptability needed for roles in academic institutions, conservatories, and professional studios.
“This certificate offers students a rare hands-on opportunity to develop both the musical and collaborative skills needed to work with dancers,” said Daniel Smith, School of Dance assistant professor and director of the certificate program. “Dance accompanying is a sophisticated musical practice that requires creativity, artistic awareness and a deep sensitivity to movement.”
According to Florida State University, the program stands out as the only university certificate of its kind in the United States focused specifically on musical accompaniment for dance. It welcomes a broad range of instrumentalists—both formally or informally trained—at undergraduate and graduate levels. Smith said, “Programs devoted specifically to training musicians to accompany dance are exceedingly rare. FSU, with its strong dance and music programs, is in a prime position to provide this specialized training to many kinds of musicians, benefiting our students as well as the field at large.”
Students enrolled will gain practical experience by accompanying School of Dance classes under guidance from experienced faculty members from both participating colleges. Applications for the new program will open this fall.
More information about applying can be found on the College of Fine Arts website at dance.fsu.edu.
