In this book, Klein seeks to develop a rubric that can assist colleges, universities, and communities in providing stronger outcomes for students seeking a career path in dance. Beginning with an overview of the historical development of dance and dance education in the United States, this book closely examines the current cultural, educational, and political structures, functions, and mechanisms that influence prevailing public views of this art form in mainstream American life. These views frame fundamental topics for the field of post-secondary dance education regarding curriculum, instruction, and definitions of professional career possibilities. The analysis and interpretation of this research is filtered through a specific lens, with the intention of discovering the effective and ineffective principles and practices within the three examined institutions, which can be applied to developing high success rates of employment among students graduating from future programs. It is further hoped that this study will serve as a catalyst for inter-academic dialogue, in order to strengthen and advocate for the integrity and position of dance education in American colleges and universities.
About the Author: Kathleen E. Klein is the founding director of dance at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida. For the past thirty years, she has also served as the executive director of Klein Dance, Inc., operating a thriving school for dance, a small alternative performing space, and the Klein Dance Company. She was employed by the School of Hartford Ballet in Connecticut while attending a rigorous teacher training program and dancing a demanding performance schedule. She has an extensive background in dance technique, pointe and partnering, ballet theory, kinesiology, dance history, music theory and most important for her students, child psychology and pedagogy. Prior to her engagement at Palm Beach Atlantic University, Klein ran the dance department for Palm Beach Community College (Lake Worth, FL) for six years and also taught dance technique and dance history courses at Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, FL). Klein completed her Ph.D. in Global Leadership at Lynn University in 2004. A Phi Kappa Phi member committed to community service, she is a member of Americans for the Arts, the American Association of University Women, the Florida Dance Association, Florida Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and the Palm Beach County Cultural Council.