Photo Courtesy of Pace University
PACE University
New York, NY
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Commercial Dance is the first of its kind in New York City and ranked as a “Top 30” College Dance Program. Our conservatory-style program prepares students for a career in the entertainment industry – Broadway, television, film, media, and beyond. This major offers comprehensive dance training that bridge the gap between classical dance technique and the professional world of commercial dance. Setting itself apart from the concert dance training common to most university programs, Pace’s Commercial Dance program focuses on dance styles and techniques relevant to the individual performer.Our concentration in choreography is nationally acclaimed, ranking #3 in the U.S.
Third-year students spend a semester in Los Angeles – making Pace one of the only bi-coastal dance training programs in the country.
From the classroom to the stage, we believe creating mentorship opportunities through the creative process drives student success. To this end, access to current industry professionals has been a cornerstone of the program. The classroom setting is equally important; we approach curriculum with a 21st century mindset in regards to training, technique and pedagogy. Each semester students have multiple performance opportunities in student-driven shows as well as main stage productions. Main stage productions feature faculty and guest artist works, everything from new world premieres to noted repertory from major contemporary companies. Past company residences include Paul Taylor (Company B), Jose Limon (Psalm), and residencies with Jessica Lang Dance, 10 Hairy Legs, and more. Additionally, numerous guest artists have created pieces on our dancers for the main stage shows, Dance sPace (Fall) and Dance Out Loud (Spring), in all genres of dance. Guests artists have included: Andy Blankenbuehler, Mandy Moore, Josh Bergasse, Jason Samuels Smith, Al Blackstone, Anthony Morigerato, Bo Park, Chloe Arnold, Ephrat Asherie, Tiler Peck, Brian Friedman, Ray Leeper, Jerry Mitchell and many more.
Rhonda Miller
RHONDA MILLER
RHONDA MILLER Choreographer is proud to be the Creator and Director of the BFA Commercial Dance program at Pace University.
A founder and co-owner of L.A.’s premier dance studio, The Edge, she was the leader for many years of its successful convention business, L.A. DanceForce. After relocating to New York, Rhonda’s work caught the eye of Broadway director-choreographer Jerry Mitchell, who included her on his team for the renowned Broadway Bares. A few of her stage credits include Mary Poppins for Arkansas Rep., All Shook Up, Chicago, Hello Dolly and Sister Act for Maine State Music Theater, On Your Feet and Sister Act for Westchester Broadway.
Some of Rhonda’s television credits include Younger with Sutton Foster, American Film Institute Awards with Catherine Zeta Jones, General Hospital, The Boys for HBO and It’s Garry Shandling’s Show for HBO. Her work has also been seen in commercials and industrials for such Fortune 500 companies as Chrysler, Toys R Us, Warner Brothers and Exxon-Mobil. Recently you may have seen her on a National Avon Commercial and the movie promo for the feature film, “Isn’t it Romantic?”