Gwendolyn Buettner, reporter
Oct. 8, 2024
Tucson, Ariz.
Many students at Arizona’s School of Dance maximize their university education by double majoring.
The school fosters an environment for students to grow not only as dancers, but as well-rounded learners. They uniquely allow students to customize their class schedules to accommodate the requirements of their second major.
Maddy Reznicki, fourth-year double major, said she has many passions, including dance and marketing. This is what drew her to become a marketing major at the Eller College of Management in addition to dance.
“I am super passionate about social media, creating things and building a brand,” she said.
Pursuing dance and business at the same time comes with a busy schedule. As a student worker and a double major, she said her schedule includes 8 a.m. classes, long walks across campus, shifts at the dance office, and various club meetings.
“At the end of the day I either have rehearsals or a club meeting,” she said. “I am a part of our dance club, ‘Dance Collective,’ and also a marketing club, ‘Rising Stars in Marketing.’”
Utilizing different skills across each of her majors she said has been a benefit to her, adding that she uses creativity and vulnerability when dancing and analytical skills in marketing. She also said the sheer ability to double major at Arizona was a draw for her to attend, traveling all the way from her hometown, Vancouver, Washington.
“My favorite thing about the School of Dance – and honestly why I chose to attend the University of Arizona – is the fact that the School of Dance schedule is very flexible,” she said. “I’m able to pick any class that I want to take.”
Similarly, Sophie McCutcheon, a third-year dance and biology major from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, wanted to get the most out of her education. She wanted to improve her chances of securing a job after graduation.
“The biggest reason for the decision to double major came with wanting to get the most out of my education while I was here and out of the money I was spending towards that,” she said.
The amount of support from the School of Dance she said is the main reason she can pursue her passions both in the arts and sciences. Unlike many universities, the ability to create her own schedule allows her to take the required classes for biology.
“A lot of dance schools don’t really allow a second major as an option, period,” she said. “The fact that it is an option here and widely supported is really nice and a big draw for the School of Dance.”
The School of Dance has been a supportive place for double majors for years. Gianni Howell, an associate professor and alumni of the program, said dancers here have gone on to be successful not only in dance, but in other career paths.
“Alumni of this program have led successful careers in pursuing law, entrepreneurship, engineering, and even open heart surgery,” Howell said in a written statement.
Nikki Martin, a fourth-year from Yuba City, California is getting a degree in biology as well to maximize her education. As a major in biology with a biomedical emphasis, she said she can combine her passion for dance and biomedicine through double majoring.
“I’ve always had an inkling for science and medicine and its relationship to dance as far as injury prevention” she said. “I figured biology was a great other option to add on with dance.”
Martin said her days are about 12 hours long, packing in dance and biology classes, an internship, biological research and rehearsals. On top of this, she is also a College of Science ambassador and sometimes presents at research conferences. She added that though she prioritizes dance classes and rehearsals, the School of Dance’s adaptability helps with biology events that may overlap.
“For the most part, they are very accommodating,” she said. “They are super supportive of me pursuing biology.”
Martin said her discipline as a dancer helps in balancing both of her majors. Her endeavors with the College of Science, she added, also influenced her to choreograph pieces inspired by scientific concepts she learned in class.
McCutcheon’s dedication to dance is reflected in her other major too.
“I am able to bring my work ethic, passion, focus, and time management that I have nurtured throughout my dance journey into my STEM classes,” she said in a written statement.
Reznicki added that her dance journey has shown her how to be creative and collaborative in creating marketing campaigns. Her dedication and ambition with dance she said is reflected in her marketing journey too.
The School of Dance continues to provide students with the opportunity to pursue their passions in and outside of dance. Due to the program’s support, dancers can collaborate their interests across multiple departments, expand their knowledge in other subjects and be well-prepared for their professional careers.