Loyola University Chicago Dance Program

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Loyola University Chicago Dance Program

Loyola University Chicago's Official Dance Program Page

This major offers conservatory level dance training in ballet within the context of Loyola’s Ignatian liberal arts curriculum. Director:
Sandra Kaufmann

Full-time Faculty:
Sarah Cullen-Fuller
Amy Wilkinson

Part-time Faculty:
Mei-Kuang Chen
Deborah Goodman
Mari Jo Irbe
Cora Mitchell
Sarita Smith-Childs

08/18/2026

Welcome Class of 2030! We invite all majors, minors, and students taking dance courses to attend 2026 Dance Orientation and Academic Advising this Friday, August 21.

All incoming dance students level II or above should plan to attend the Dance Welcome Orientation and Academic Advising Session. Students will have the opportunity to meet with faculty, learn about the dance program at Loyola, receive advising on technique course level placement and learn about extracurricular dance clubs and performance opportunities. We will also hold orientations for incoming dance majors and provide information and advising about the dance minor.

Orientation Schedule
Friday, August 21
10:00a.m. - Welcome Orientation/Course Advising, Dance Minor, and Dance Club Welcome and Advising
11:00a.m. - Orientation for all incoming BA Dance Students
Sarah Gabel Rehearsal Studio, Mundelein 409, 4th Floor

04/20/2026

The Spring Dance Informance is on Friday! Dance Informances take place at the end of each semester and celebrate all of our dance courses. We are offering standing room only at this time!

Newhart Family Theatre, Mundelein Center for the Fine and Performing Arts
Friday, April 24
This performance is SOLD OUT.
Standby tickets are available starting 1 hour prior to every performance at the Mundelein Center Info Desk on the first floor!

04/17/2026

Choreographing the Future: 'Tethered Than Torn'
Congratulations to senior dancer and choreographer Kara Hoag for her feature in the Loyola Phoenix about her work 'Tethered than Torn', a powerful piece exploring the shifting nature of human connection.

Don’t miss the final performance of her piece tomorrow at the Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium at the Mundelein Center.

Article Link in Bio
Written by Sophia Reass
Photos by Sophia Reass

04/01/2026

Choreographing the future: Hyperindependence and Human Connection
Congratulations to 2026 Student Choreograpaher Ellie Slowiak for her feature in the Loyola Phoenix. Go check out the article by Sophia Reass to learn more about Ellie's work for the Dance Composition Showcase.

🔗Article Link in Bio
📰Written by Sophia Reass
📸Photos by Sophia Reass

03/30/2026

Loyola Weekend 2026 🐺

It was a pleasure meeting with committed students yesterday at the DFPA tables. Be sure to find us during orientation this summer!

To learn more about our programs, visit our website using the link in bio.

03/25/2026

The 2026 Dance Composition Showcase is just one month away! This spring course invites student artists to dive into the creative process of choreography—experimenting with movement, exploring improvisation, and collaborating with their dancers to bring original ideas to life. Each piece you’ll see is the result of months of discovery and artistic growth.

Come support these incredible student choreographers: Elina Lioris, Gianna Mele, Trinity Bryant, Laine Dunn, Lizzy Bruening, Skylar Klund, Halle Lorena, Ellie Slowiak, Crystal Ornelas, Emaan Pirzada, Charlotte Buehler, Liv Brendelson

11 original works will make their debut on the Newhart Stage. Get your tickets now to celebrate these young choreographers and their talented casts!

Saturday, April 25, 7:30 p.m.
Newhart Family Theatre, Mundelein Center for the Fine and Performing Arts
Ticket Link in Bio

02/20/2026

Senior Solo Showcase is one day away! Meet Amber Stephenson! Amber will perform "In for a Penny, In for a Pound" choreographed by Virginia VanLieshout.

In Amber's time at Loyola, she has been given the wonderful opportunity to learn from guest artists and choreographers. She has performed two historical modern works - Martha Graham's Primitive Mysteries and José Limón's A Choreographic Offering. In addition to performance, Amber has found a love for lighting design, working design and lights operation for The Dance Company (a Loyola dance club), Lifeline Theatre, Deos Contemporary Ballet . She has plans to pursue an Arts Administration Master's Degree upon graduation.

Senior Solo Showcase
February 21 and 22, 12.00p.m
Palm Court, Mundelein Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 4th Floor
Ticket Link in Bio

Photography by Carolyn McCabe

02/19/2026

Senior Solo Showcase is 2 days away! Meet Cristina Guzman! Cristina will perform "I've made it" choreographed by Jasmin Taylor.

Cristina is a recipient of the Serra Family Scholarship for Dance and serves as the Vice President of the Loyola Dance Honors Society. She has performed in several Dance Informances and Mainstage dance concerts as a dancer and as a member of the costume crew. Cristina has also been featured in a dance film and has attended the American College Dance Association Conference.

Senior Solo Showcase
February 21 and 22, 12.00p.m
Palm Court, Mundelein Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 4th Floor
Ticket Link in Bio

Photography by Carolyn McCabe

02/18/2026

Senior Solo Showcase is 3 days away! Meet Laine Dunn! Laine will perform “Only fools are satisfied” choreographed by Maria Blanco.

During their time at Loyola, they have performed in “Missa Laudato Si”, “Interdepen/Dance”, the Dance Composition showcase, and more. They are also thrilled to be taking their original work “The Humanity of it All” to the 2026 American College Dance Association Conference.

Senior Solo Showcase
February 21 and 22, 12.00p.m
Palm Court, Mundelein Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 4th Floor
Ticket Link in Bio

Photography by Carolyn McCabe

02/17/2026

Senior Solo Showcase is 4 days away! Meet Kara Hoag! Kara will perform "As Light Moves"choreographed by Braeden Barnes.

At Loyola, Kara serves as President of the Dance Honor Society and is the 2025 recipient of the Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Award. She has performed in multiple Mainstage productions, Dance Composition Showcases, with Chicago Festival Ballet, and at several American College Dance Association (ACDA) conferences, including two gala performances.

Senior Solo Showcase
February 21 and 22, 12.00p.m
Palm Court, Mundelein Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 4th Floor
Ticket Link in Bio

Photography by Carolyn McCabe

Address

Department Of Fine And Performing Arts/1032 West Sheridan Road, Mundelein Center
Chicago, IL
60660

Telephone

(773) 508-7510

Website

http://luc.edu/dfpa/dance/index.shtml

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