<p>I have a friend with a junior year daughter - 4.o, IB classes, etc. who is specifically looking for a school that offers ballet and some liturgical dance. The closer to the west coast, the better. Do any of you experienced dance folks out there know of a place? Thank you!</p>
<p>I suggest reposting here [Dance</a> Major - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/dance-major/]Dance”>Dance Major - College Confidential Forums)</p>
<p>It’s not near the West coast, but Boston College offers (some) ballet and has a liturgical dance group.</p>
<p>I imagine that some Catholic U’s have it. Check LMU, Gonzaga, USanFrancisco, USanDiego, U Portland, Seattle U, St Mary’s in Moraga, etc.</p>
<p>Santa Clara University has it ~</p>
<p>I’m confused – Catholic colleges have liturgical dance troupes, despite the fact that it goes against the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and explicitly prohibited by the U.S. Bishops for masses within this country? </p>
<p>I certainly hope that not many do, given that they are totally illicit under the American bishopric, and valid only under cases of inculturation.</p>
<p>[Dance</a> in the Liturgy](<a href=“http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWDANCE.HTM]Dance”>http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWDANCE.HTM)
[On</a> “Liturgical Dance”](<a href=“http://www.adoremus.org/Dance.html]On”>http://www.adoremus.org/Dance.html)
[Dance</a> in the Liturgy](<a href=“http://www.ourladyswarriors.org/teach/litudanc.htm]Dance”>Dance in the Liturgy)</p>
<p>Not close to the west coast, but Belhaven in MS has a ballet program, and Ballet Magnificat is located in Jackson MS.</p>
<p>[The</a> School of the Arts: Belhaven University](<a href=“http://www.belhaven.edu/arts/index.htm]The”>Arts | Jackson, MS)
[Ballet</a> Magnificat!](<a href=“http://www.balletmagnificat.com/]Ballet”>http://www.balletmagnificat.com/)</p>
<p>Here’s the link to the Boston Liturgical Dance Ensemble:</p>
<p>[About</a> Us](<a href=“http://www.blde.org/About_Us/aboutus.htm]About”>http://www.blde.org/About_Us/aboutus.htm)</p>
<p>The director is a Jesuit.</p>
<p>and now I will go look up “inculturation”</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That doesn’t mean anything to me, as the Jesuit colleges tend to not be line with the Magisterium or the USSCB on many issues and several Jesuit colleges have had their formal alignment with the Church threatened due to blatant disregard for Church teaching. Jesuits are very liberal, with the term meaning the above.</p>
<p>In other words, the fact that the director is a Jesuit does not mean that it’s okay, for the same reason that a low-ranking official in the Department of State does not get to determine the official policy of the United States at his whim.</p>
<p>If you want to discuss this more, maybe another thread would be appropriate. But I appreciate your interest, and the reason I brought it up is that it IS a severe liturgical abuse that runs counter to the Pope’s attempt to bring the masses closer to their goals of communion and sacrifice, and prospective students should be aware that “Catholic” colleges are not necessary what they portray themselves as.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Liturgical dance has been an issue in the Church, but it seems to be okay for certain ethnic groups to do it. </p>
<p>I remember Cardinal Mahoney catching a lot of complaints when girls in leotards did a liturgical dance during Mass at the RE conference I went to years ago. People dancing in leotards really have no place in the Mass.</p>
<p>^Exactly, that would fit under inculturation, but per the essay to which I linked, this does not apply to Western culture.</p>
<p>Saint Mary’s College of California offers a dance major and liturgical dance is sometimes a part of Mass and other religious celebrations. Check here for a contact name and more information:
[url=<a href=“http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/academics/schools/school-of-liberal-arts/departments-programs/performing-arts/dance/index.html]Dance[/url”>http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/academics/schools/school-of-liberal-arts/departments-programs/performing-arts/dance/index.html]Dance[/url</a>]</p>
<p>I was just going to mention that perhaps many of these liturgical dance groups do not perform at Mass.</p>
<p>I know the Boston Liturgical Dance Group is known for the performances they put on around Christmas time – and these are performances people attend like they would the Nutcracker or other holiday fare.</p>
<p>That may be true, but then they are misnomers, as liturgical implies that they would dance during liturgy, which would be mass within the Catholic faith. </p>
<p>I said what I wanted to say; it’s not really up for debate, but I guess if people want to talk about it more, I can’t stop them.</p>
<p>Thank you for the suggestions of colleges that offer dance with a focus in the Christian faith.
Thank you also for the stated opinions, they are worth prayerful consideration. I am proud to have a daughter who wishes to use her God given talent in ballet to use as an expression of her faith. I am hopeful that she will find a school that will help her realize her desire to “praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tamborine and harp.” Psalm 149 :3 </p>
<p>Will take into consideration the use of the word “liturgical” as we have no desire to disrupt the traditions of the Catholic church. Christian dance or worship dance is perhaps a more accurate name for what we are looking for.</p>
<p>Are you familiar with Ballet Magnificat?</p>
<p>[Ballet</a> Magnificat! - World Premier full-time professional Christian ballet company](<a href=“http://www.balletmagnificat.com/A_newfirst.html]Ballet”>http://www.balletmagnificat.com/A_newfirst.html)</p>
<p>Maybe it would be possible for your daughter to take classes with this company while enrolled in a local college. They are located in Jackson, MS.</p>
<p>Good luck on your search! I’m glad to hear that you have such a wonderful daughter.</p>
<p>My daughter’s ballet company sends students every summer to Ballet Magnificat. Her ballet company also has a liturgical division. In addition, there is a Presbyterian-related school, Belhaven University, nearby.</p>
<p>I am familiar with Ballet Magnificat. My daughter went to their summer intensive last year. It is a wonderful company. Belhaven consistently shows up in our research of christian dance studies. It is an extremely narrow focus, but I was hoping to get information on a few more schools. Boston College has a program that looks promising in what they term as liturgical dance. Any personal knowledge about either of these schools would be helpful. Thanks for the input.</p>