At CalArts, the spring semester launches with Winter Session, a unique block dedicated in the School of Dance to intensive workshops with guest choreographers. This period, separate from the regular semester, provides a focused environment for immersive learning, where students engage deeply with esteemed visiting artists and develop new approaches to their craft. These intensives foster an atmosphere of rigorous exploration, where students gain insights into contemporary practices and refine their techniques under the guidance of accomplished professionals.
BFA Dance students - Winter Session is also an essential period of preparation for graduating BFA Dance students. Our LAUNCH showcase, the culminating event for fourth-year students and a vital opportunity for them to present their work to the public, takes place in downtown Los Angeles at the end of May. Our BFA 4 students will be working with esteemed choreographers such as Genna Moroni and Lil’ Buck, along with learning Glacial Decoy by Trisha Brown.
MFA Choreography students - Winter Session offers time for intensive rehearsal process to focus on the development, rehearsal and performance of MFA 2 thesis projects. Students and participants can meet and rehearse as needed for the final stage of the production development.
Additionally, Winter Session often includes a selection of interdisciplinary courses open to the entire institute, enabling dancers to collaborate with artists from other fields and gain a broader perspective on artistic creation.
- Herb Alpert Guest Artist: Jonathan Gonzalez teaching Dance Improvisation (open to the institute BFA/MFA) and Ways To Move (open to the Institute MFA only)
- More courses open to the Institute:
Hip Hop Freestyle + Street Dance with faculty member Cricket Colter
Beyond The Noise with faculty member Julie Bour
Dance With Inner Noise with faculty member Chorong Yang
Dance Noise: Moving Sound with faculty member Rosanna Tavarez
Navigating the Job Market with faculty member Ariel Osterweis
I Care About Your Body with MFA student Stephanie Zaletel
Explore Winter Session dance course catalog →
Overall, the Winter Session at CalArts provides a powerful and enriching start to the semester, emphasizing experiential learning. These experiences help students forge practical connections between their studies and the wider dance world, preparing them to thrive in a dynamic, evolving field.