Greenfield Community College

Dance

The Dance Program at Greenfield Community College welcomes all students interested in dance. Whether you are a dedicated dance student, someone who just loves to dance, or an absolute beginner—we invite you to participate.

The Curriculum

Our multicultural curriculum includes studio courses in variety of dance styles. African Dance, Ballet, Jazz, Middle Eastern Dance, Modern Dance, and Tap are offered each semester. Introduction to Dance allows students to experience a variety of dance styles, and to view dance as a form of art, entertainment, and social communication. Courses in Dance History and World Dance and Culture explore the meaning, function, and history of dance from past and present cultures around the world. In Choreography, students create their own solo and group dances, and receive guidance and support for their work. Students in Dance Repertory: Mixed Company gain valuable experience through community performances. A Dance Concert at the end of each semester features student and faculty choreography. 

GCC is a member of the American College Dance Festival Association, and almost every year GCC Dance faculty and a selected group of students attend the four-day ACDFA New England Regional Conference.  In addition to GCC courses, in the Pioneer Valley area students have abundant opportunities to attend dance performances by local artists and professional touring companies.

The Liberal Arts/Dance Option

GCC is one of two Massachusetts Community Colleges offering a Liberal Arts/Dance Concentration major. Students receive both practical and theoretical knowledge of the field of dance. Students who who choose the Dance Option may choose continue to perform, choreograph or teach dance after graduation, or to transfer to four year colleges and universities, including those with dance majors.

Download degree requirements (PDF)

Just For Fun...

Credit-free courses are regularly offered in the evenings. Past courses include: Jitterbug/Swing dance, Salsa, Tango, Middle Eastern "belly dance," Irish Step dance, Latin dance, African dance, and Tap.   Additionally, community members are invited to take the academic dance classes on a credit-free basis.  Please contact the Office of Community Education, 775-1605, for information on credit-free registration. 

The Greenfield Community College Advantage

The advantages of choosing GCC for a Liberal Arts Degree include:

• smaller classes
• personal interaction with faculty
• lower costs
• full-time and part-time status available
• free access to our computer labs and the Internet
• free tutoring assistance
• joint admissions to four-year colleges and universities

For more information

To learn more about the Dance Program, students are encouraged to visit the college, and to watch or participate in a dance class. To schedule an appointment, please call the Dance Coordinator at (413) 775-1262. For additional information about GCC, please call the Office of Admission at (413) 775-1801.

Dance Faculty

• Sharon Arslanian (M.A. Dance, Mills College; M.A. Dance History, U.C., Riverside; Ed.D. Dance, Temple University) is the Coordinator of the Dance Program at GCC. She has taught a variety of dance styles in numerous colleges and community settings including Temple University and Smith College. At GCC, Arslanian teaches Tap, Middle Eastern Dance, Jazz, Introduction to Dance, Dance in Culture, and Dance History.
• Kathy Keillor (B.F.A. Dance, UMASS, M.F.A. Dance, Smith College) was a soloist in the State Ballet of Rhode Island, and Nashua Ballet Company. At GCC Keillor teaches Ballet, Jazz, and Choreography. She directs the company comprised of GCC students and community dancers, Mixed Company, which performs at schools and community centers throughout the Pioneer Valley.
• Ann Sorvino (B.F.A. Dance Juilliard School) is a former member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company. At GCC Sorvino teaches Modern Dance and Choreography. Her own company, Sorvino Dance Project, has performed throughout New England, and in Athens, Greece. Sorvino is also the Dance Director at Stoneleigh Burnham School in Greenfield, MA.
• Sekou Sylla, from Guinea West Africa, teaches the African Dance Course. Before coming to the U.S., Sekou Sylla was a principal dancer and acrobat with the national dance company of Guinea, Les Ballets Africains, and he has performed and taught all over the world.  He is also a master drummer and currently teaches and performs throughout New England through the Young Audiences program.
• Felice Wolfzahn (B.F.A., Dance, Juilliard School, M.F.A. Dance Bennington College) teaches Introduction to Dance, Modern Dance, Pilates Mat Work.  Wolfzahn She also teaches at Mt. Holyoke College, Amherst College and Bennington College.  Felice is a veteran teacher of Contact Improvisation, and has taught in college and universities in the U.S. at the School for New Dance Development in Amsterdam,  and in Israel and Jamaica.