UMKC recognizes the talent and dedication of dancers in Kansas City Ballet’s Trainee Program and is offering up to 34 dance credits toward your Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance during your time as a Trainee. Dancers who complete two years with Kansas City Ballet's Trainee Program will be invited to study and continue dancing for just two additional years at the prestigious UMKC Conservatory.
Expand your horizons
A Bachelor of Fine Arts from UMKC Conservatory provides a well-rounded education that can help you in your career, whether that ultimately ends up in dance, an adjacent field or something else entirely.
Greater opportunities, perspectives and experiences
As a Kansas City Ballet Trainee and Conservatory student, you'll be exposed to diverse perspectives, increased training opportunities and more stage time than a typical Trainee. You'll also have the option to live on campus, blending your time as a Trainee with a traditional college residential life experience. Campus housing contracts are subject to approval by the Office of Residential Life.
Develop your network
Connect with other artists and dancers and leverage the extensive connections our institutions have with professional arts communities both locally and nationally.
You're completing the Kansas City Ballet Trainee Program already; why not apply that work toward your degree? Students in the program earn 17 credits per year towards the following courses for a total of 34 credits. Credits earned from the Trainee Program are only transferrable to UMKC. While earning credits as a Trainee, dancers will also attend UMKC general education classes for more credit toward their bachelor's degree. UMKC general education course credits are transferrable to other institutions.
| Course number | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DANCE 141B | Ballet Technique and Theory I | 3 |
| DANCE 142B | Ballet Technique and Theory II | 3 |
| DANCE 141M | Modern Dance Technique and Theory I | 3 |
| DANCE 142M | Modern Dance Technique and Theory II | 3 |
| DANCE 310 | Conservatory Dance Ensemble | 1 |
| DANCE 313A | Partnering/Pas De Deux I | 1 |
| DANCE 313B | Partnering/Pas De Deux II | 1 |
| DANCE 405A | Modern Dance Repertory I | 1 |
| DANCE 415A | Variations I | 1 |
| Total credits | 17 |
Trainees must audition for a second year in the Kansas City Ballet Trainee Program, with acceptance based on their performance and progress during the first year. If accepted, Trainees may continue the coursework as listed below. If not accepted, dancers may be admitted to UMKC as full-time students.
| Course number | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DANCE 241B | Ballet Technique and Theory III | 3 |
| DANCE 242B | Ballet Technique and Theory IV | 3 |
| DANCE 241M | Modern Dance Technique and Theory III | 3 |
| DANCE 242M | Modern Dance Technique and Theory IV | 3 |
| DANCE 310 | Conservatory Dance Ensemble | 1 |
| DANCE 413A | Advanced Pas De Deux I | 1 |
| DANCE 413B | Advanced Pas De Deux II | 1 |
| DANCE 405B | Modern Dance Repertory II | 1 |
| DANCE 415B | Variations II | 1 |
| Total credits | 17 |
