Job Information
University of Utah Assistant Professor, Dance in Salt Lake City, Utah
Position Information
Proposed Faculty Rank Assistant Professor
Department 00076 - School of Dance
City Salt Lake City, UT
Track Tenure Track
New Position to Begin July 1, 2025
Details
The University of Utah School of Dance invites applicants for a full-time, tenure-line Assistant Professor position to begin July 1, 2025. In support of the long-standing and nationally recognized BFA in Ballet and the nation’s only MFA in Ballet degree, this faculty line will focus on teaching in the areas of ballet technique and pointe with an additional teaching and research focus in either the re-staging of historic ballet repertoire and/or the in-depth study of ballet pedagogy.
The School of Dance has committed to thoughtfully situating ballet as a social and cultural construct, ever in need of evolution and innovative reimagining. As such, we seek a colleague interested in exploring ballet through a critical lens, capable of considering ballet’s historical complexities while honoring the legacy and traditions of ballet and exploring ways of progressing the art form. The ideal candidate will have experience teaching professional or pre-professional level ballet technique and pointe in either professional, conservatory, or higher education contexts.
The University of Utah has been classified by the Carnegie Foundation among research universities with the “highest research activity” in the nation and is the flagship of the Utah System of Higher Education. As a reflection of the research-focused university, the successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to research and to research-informed teaching, be actively engaged in research that furthers the field of dance, and demonstrate the potential to achieve tenure at a research-intensive university. In the School of Dance, the definition of research is broad and may include restaging historic works, performance and choreography, and peer-reviewed publication, among other modes of research dissemination. To learn more about research in the School of Dance, visit the Research page on ourwebsite.
The teaching load averages 12 credit hours per academic year (typically 6 credit hours per semester). The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate courses in ballet technique and pointe, and may also restage classical works on our student body, teach courses in ballet pedagogy, repertoire, dance histories, and/or other areas of expertise. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to curriculum development, faculty governance, and the administrative life of the School of Dance, and may serve in various service roles, as needed.
About the School of Dance
The School of Dance is one of five academic units housed within the College of Fine Arts. Dance at the University of Utah has a rich history and ongoing legacy. One of the first US universities to offer degrees in dance, the U (as it is known colloquially) has one of the largest and longest-standing dance programs in the country. We have evolved into a vibrant, innovative, and forward-thinking School of Dance accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance and celebrate nine decades of successful alumni. We are an incubator for dance education and artistic exploration, a community in which renowned faculty connect individually with students, nurturing young artists and cultivating an environment that fosters personal and artistic growth. We offer unique and plentiful performance opportunities, a range of scholarly and creative inquiry, rigorous and challenging coursework, and interdisciplinary explorations.
Our curriculum possesses both breadth and depth, offering coursework in anatomy, choreography, dance education, dance studies, history, music, pedagogy, screendance, somatics, and various dance techniques. Comprehensive programs of study maintain a balanced emphasis on both performance and scholarship in a professional and welcoming atmosphere.
Admission is competitive, and our student body is comprised of approximately 200 undergraduates and 10 graduate students seeking professional quality dance training and meaningful educational experiences in the following degree programs: BFA in Ballet, BFA in Modern Dance, BFA in Ballet with Teaching Emphasis, BFA in Modern Dance Teaching, Certificate in Ballet Studio Teaching, Minor in Modern Dance, MFA in Ballet, MFA in Modern Dance, and a Graduate Certificate in Screendance.
The School of Dance is housed in the beautiful Marriott Center for Dance, a state-of-the-art facility that includes a 333-seat professional fully staffed theatre and costume shop, a black box theatre space, six large dance studios, a private faculty studio, and a cross-training space with an on-site athletic trainer. Additional information about The School of Dance can be foundhere.
The School of Dance is committed to viewpoint diversity, academic freedom, and open inquiry. We strive to recruit faculty who will further enhance our diversity of viewpoints, and we make every attempt to support faculty members’ academic, professional, and personal success. Additional information about The School of Dance can be foundhere.
About the University
The University of Utah is the state’s public flagship institution of higher education with an enrollment of approximately 35,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offers 111undergraduate and over 100 graduate degree programs. A member of the American Association of Universities ( AAU ), the University of Utah is classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the 146 research universities with the “highest research activity” in the nation. The university has been named by Forbes as one of the top ten employers in the state and recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best national universities. The University of Utah has several campus-wide initiatives that contribute to a rich campus climate, attract academic and professional talent, improve access to higher education for historically underrepresented groups, and strengthen the U’s ability to educate the next generation of leaders.
About Salt Lake City
The University is located in Salt Lake City, the center of a metropolitan area with a population of approximately 1.26 million residents. The city is known for extensive arts and cultural activities, boasts a new major international airport, and has received international recognition for its light rail system, foodie culture, downtown renewal, and increasing diversity. Hosting a vibrant arts community and dance scene, Salt Lake City is home to thriving long-standing performing arts entities including Ballet West, Repertory Dance Theatre, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Pioneer Theatre Company, Utah Symphony, Utah Opera, and Sundance Film Festival, among others. Located at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, Salt Lake City offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation, with ten world-class ski resorts and five national parks within hours of the city. Salt Lake City is home to a robust array of diverse communities facilitating numerous opportunities for interaction with a range of civic and political organizations, given the city’s role as the governmental and social nerve center of the state. In 2023, U.S News and World Report ranked Utah as the best state in the U.S.A. and Salt Lake City as one of the top 100 best places to live in the nation. Salt Lake City currently holds a 100/100rating on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index for its inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ community.
Application
Salary Range (commensurate with experience): $60,000 – $70,000
Review of applications will begin December 15th, 2024.
Required Qualifications
Terminal degree, MFA or PhD in Dance or similar area, or commensurate professional experience with a bachelaureate degree
At least 3 years of experience teaching ballet and pointe, in professional, pre-professional, conservatory, and/or higher education settings
Must demonstrate a capacity to re-stage historic ballet repertoire at the national level and/or a commitment to the in-depth study of ballet pedagogy
Applicants will submit:
Cover letter that addresses the specifics of the position
Link to video of the applicant teaching a pointe specific class (class should be at least 45 minutes)
Curriculum vitae
3-4 Research samples (i.e. video of stagings of historic repertoire, video of original choreography, and/or academic writing) via links or documents
3 letters of recommendation that speak to applicant’s experience teaching ballet (references will be contacted by the system immediately upon application submission)
Contact information for 5 references
Transcripts from most recent conferred degree (copies are acceptable for the application process; official versions will be required upon hire)
EEO/Non-Discrimination Information
All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at:
https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu
Notice
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
Special Instructions for Candidates
Open Date 10/22/2024
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Requisition Number PRN01298CF
Type Faculty