For the second year in a row, DanceUS.org has named SMU Meadows School of the Arts’ Division of Dance one of the Best College Dance Programs for 2020-21 in the U.S.

Meadows was the only school in Texas among the 24 programs on the list, which included such other acclaimed schools as Juilliard, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance and more. DanceUS.org is an independent online publication and a leading portal for dance professionals, learners and enthusiasts.

For the fourth time, Meadows was also named one of the top B.F.A. dance programs in the country for 2020-21 by OnStage Blog, a site that focuses on theatre, musical theatre, film and media arts, and performing arts. It previously included Meadows in its “best of dance” lists in 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2019-20.

SMU Meadows Division of Dance students study ballet, modern and jazz as well as comprehensive theoretical courses under highly respected faculty who have danced, choreographed or collaborated with renowned dance artists and companies, including Martha Graham, José Limón, New York City Ballet, the Royal Ballet School, Boston Ballet, Rudra Béjart, Eleo Pomare, Lynn Simonson and Billy Siegenfeld.

Students, the majority of whom double-major or minor in other areas of study, perform the masterworks of 20th-century greats such as Balanchine, Graham, Fosse, Limón and Paul Taylor, as well as contemporary and jazz artists such as Dwight Rhoden, Robert Battle, Takehiro Ueyama and Danny Buraczeski. Students also learn from distinguished guest artists, including New York City Ballet veteran Silas Farley and Meadows Prize winners Shen Wei (choreographer, Shen Wei Dance Arts and Beijing Olympics), Michael Keegan-Dolan (co-founder, Fabulous Beast) and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar (founder, Urban Bush Women).

Alumni have danced with such renowned companies as the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Martha Graham Dance Company, Mark Morris Dance Group, Parsons Dance, MOMIX, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and have appeared in Broadway shows and touring companies as well as other commercial venues worldwide.

Auditions are held each year in the fall and early winter.