Celebrating 100 Years of Dance Excellence at UW

Julia Wagner · 2026-03-13

You know, sometimes you just need to pause and celebrate the milestones. That's exactly what's happening right now at the University of Wisconsin's Dance Department. They're marking their 100th anniversary, and honestly, it's a pretty big deal. Think about it—a century of movement, expression, and artistic evolution. That's generations of dancers, choreographers, and educators who've walked through those studio doors. Or should I say, danced through them. ### What a Century of Dance Looks Like A hundred years in dance isn't just about counting seasons. It's about watching styles transform, seeing techniques evolve, and witnessing how each generation builds on what came before. From the early days of modern dance pioneers to today's fusion of contemporary styles, this department has been there through it all. They've seen dance move from formal concert halls to experimental black box theaters. They've watched as technology changed how we create and share movement. And through it all, they've maintained that essential human connection—the one that makes dance matter. ### More Than Just Steps Here's what really stands out about a program that lasts this long: - **It creates community** – Dance departments become families. They're spaces where artists support each other through grueling rehearsals and exhilarating performances - **It preserves tradition while embracing innovation** – That balance is tricky, but essential for staying relevant across decades - **It impacts far beyond the studio** – Graduates go on to teach, perform, choreograph, and advocate for the arts in communities nationwide - **It demonstrates resilience** – Surviving 100 years means weathering cultural shifts, funding challenges, and changing educational landscapes As one faculty member put it, "We're not just teaching dance—we're stewarding a legacy while preparing artists for a future we can't yet imagine." ### Why This Anniversary Matters to Dance Professionals If you're running a studio or teaching classes, you might wonder why a university anniversary matters to you. Well, it actually matters quite a bit. Programs like UW's create the ecosystem we all operate within. They train the teachers who might eventually work in your studio. They develop the choreographers whose work you might adapt for your recitals. They contribute to research about dance pedagogy that influences how we all teach. Their success raises the profile of dance education everywhere. When a major university department thrives for a century, it sends a message that dance matters—as an art form, as education, as a profession. ### Looking Forward While Honoring the Past The celebration isn't just about looking backward, though. That's what's really exciting. The department is using this milestone to launch new initiatives and imagine their next century. They're talking about expanded community partnerships. They're exploring how dance intersects with other disciplines. They're considering how to make dance education more accessible and inclusive. The anniversary becomes a springboard, not just a memorial. For those of us in the dance world, whether we're studio owners, independent choreographers, or teaching artists, there's something inspiring about this. It reminds us that what we do has lasting value. That the hours spent in studios, the careful corrections, the creative breakthroughs—they accumulate into something meaningful over time. So here's to 100 years of movement at UW. And here's to all of us continuing to build on that foundation, in our own studios and classrooms, for the next generation of dancers waiting to discover their passion.