About the Dance Department

Established in 1974, the Hope College Department of Dance is open to all students at Hope in addition to those pursuing majors or minors. From its beginning, the dance department has maintained the vision set forth by its founder Maxine DeBruyn: “If you have a love of dance, we have a place for you.” The department currently offers two different dance majors and two minors, with coursework that is a combination of theory and technique, including ballet, hip hop, jazz, modern and tap. More than 250 students are enrolled in the department’s courses in any given semester, including approximately 75 who have declared majors or minors. Hope College has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance since 1982, and the Department of Dance has received a variety of honors through the years.

The dance department has a long and proud history of paving new roads. Over the years, the dance department has formed partnerships with many international institutions and organizations, providing performance and research opportunities to its students throughout the globe. These performance and research opportunities include France, Mexico, Singapore, Australia, Germany, Belgium, Scotland, England, South Africa, Ghana and Spain, to name a few. The dance department also has a long history of professional and pre-professional dance companies associated with the department and its faculty. These companies include StrikeTime Dance Theatre, Aerial Dance Theatre, Insync Dance Theatre, dANCEpROjECt, IDT and H2 Dance Co. The department has been a place of inclusivity, acceptance and support for all students and faculty at Hope, and has always created a home for all individuals of marginalized groups (race, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic, religious, etc.) on campus. The dance department continues this proud tradition as a staple of its culture, practice and example of Christian love.

Unique to the Hope College dance department was its guest artist series which, over the last 50 years, has hosted semester-long artists in residence from across the globe. The department has also been in partnership with the Cecchetti Council of America for over 25 years and is excited to be hosting the Cecchettie International Ballet competition in the summer of 2024.

Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, the Hope College Department of Dance cherishes the faculty, staff, students and community members who have helped to build this wonderful program.  Joins us for this year-long celebration, and we hope to see you at Dance 50!

Photos from the Groundbreaking Celebration 

Dance 50 Events

We thank you for your time and efforts to be here for this special occasion. Each of you are a part of the history of this department. This is a celebration and accomplishment for all of us! Your impact is greater than you know, and your legacy will live into the next 50 years! 

Please contact dance@hope.edu with any questions. We can't wait to see you!

Dance 50 Performances

• Thursday, February 15, 7:30 p.m. — DeWitt Theatre
• Friday, February 16, 6 p.m. — 5 Decades of Dance Supporter Reception, DeWitt Student Center, Under the Glass
• Friday, February 16, 7:30 p.m. — DeWitt Theatre (seating is general admission)
• Saturday, February 17, 7:30 p.m. — DeWitt Theatre (seating is general admission)

Dance 50 Swag and Alumni Photos

• Dance 50 Swag — Pre-ordered items will be available for pick up at the bookstore Friday (8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.) and Saturday (11 a.m.–4 p.m.). Be sure to bring your email confirmation with you.
• Anyone who ordered should have received an email with an SN# in it. You will need that email/confirmation number in order to pick up swag.
• Alumni Group Photos
• Saturday, February 17, 12:45 p.m. — Heeringa Dance Wing of DeWitt Theatre
• Saturday, February 17, 2:45 p.m. — Dow 207
• Saturday, February 17, 7 p.m. — Alumni dinner

Saturday, February, 17 — Alumni Master Classes

We are excited that so many of you can join us for the masterclasses offered by our esteemed and beloved faculty and faculty emeritus. This will be a special time to connect, share, reminisce and dance! Class sizes are expected to be extremely large so let’s fill the space with love and support for everyone gathered in the space!

• 8:30 a.m. — Dow and DeVos Field house doors open
  A member of the current dance faculty will be present at the entrance of each building to let you in.
• 9–10:30 a.m.
  • Ballet barre and historic social dance led by: Linda Graham (Dow207)
  • Tap led by: Heather Cornell (DeVos Field House, Wesselink Tap Studio)
• 10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
  • Lester Horton Class led by: Ray Tadio (Dow 207)
  • Contemporary led by: Matthew Farmer (Dow 210)
• 12–1 p.m. — Saturday Lunch at Phelps
  • Prepaid tickets — available at Dow or Maas side of Phelps Dining Hall. Look for Nicki Flinn for tickets.
  • Tickets available at the door with credit card: $8.00
  • Maas Auditorium is reserved for dance alumni
• 1–2:30 p.m.
  • Contemporary led by: Steven Iannacone (Dow 207)
  • Jazz led by: Sharon Wong (Dow 210)
• Celebration & Alumni Dinner
  • 4:15–5:30 p.m. — Alumni Tesimonitals: Share your story – Haworth Lobby
  • 5–5:30 p.m. — Check-in and mingle*
  • 5:30 p.m. — Dinner & remarks (seating is general admission)
  • 7 p.m. — Group Photo (Haworth Ballroom)

*Any performance tickets not picked up by 6:30 will be taken to the DeWitt Theatre Box Office, which opens at 7 p.m.

Questions? Email dance@hope.edu anytime.