The dance studio at Grand Canyon University’s Saguaro Hall became active as students gathered for the College of Arts and Media’s Welcome Week open dance sessions. The event, now included on the official Welcome Week calendar for the first time, aimed to bring together returning students and new dance majors.
Bekki Price, assistant professor and chair of dance in the College of Arts and Media, said, “We’ve been doing this for years, but this is the first time we are on the (Welcome Week) calendar. We wanted to welcome our students and others interested in dance.”
Faculty members volunteered to lead informal workshops covering a range of dance styles. Three classes were offered each day during the week, giving participants an overview of different techniques.
The program draws students interested in performing or teaching as well as those seeking creative skills through dance. According to Price, “We have 25 new (dance) majors this year. Another 20 are dance minors.” Currently, there are 75 students majoring in dance and 50 minors enrolled in small class settings that focus on ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and hip-hop.
Ella Campbell, a junior from Minnesota who originally planned to study biology before switching to dance, shared her experience: “I love to teach, I love to dance, and here I am.” She noted that Welcome Week provides a chance for both old friends to reconnect and new students to meet each other. “Lots of new faces every year,” she said. “Our program is smaller than many, which makes it more special.”
Price explained that part of Welcome Week’s purpose is to help ease student transitions into campus life by offering relaxed workshop-style classes. “New students often feel overwhelmed,” she said. “They are excited, but anxious. These informal classes help welcome them to the school.” Students currently come from ten states.
Campbell highlighted another aspect of GCU’s program: its faith-based approach. “I like that this is a faith-based dance program,” she said. “It holds me accountable to my principles and lets me create pieces for shows that reflect my values.” She added that Christian-worldview performances are central when creating work at GCU.
“This is more than just a major and a degree,” Campbell said. “For me, dance is a calling.”
The program focuses not only on technique but also character development and leadership skills among its students. The environment encourages newcomers to become involved; some join after attending introductory sessions out of curiosity.
Community engagement is also emphasized within GCU’s program as students participate with churches, schools, and arts organizations locally. Campbell appreciated these opportunities: “This is something that lets me express my passion and work on different styles of this art,” she said. “GCU has made this very easy.”
