Future Bobcats step into the spotlight during Dance at OHIO
The School of Dance welcomed future Bobcats to an immersive day of workshops, performances and community connection during its annual Dance at OHIO event.
Bella Moyers-Chavez, '26 | February 4, 2026
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When the doors of Putnam Hall opened on a crisp November morning, the rhythm of Ohio University’s dance community filled the air. Dance at OHIO, hosted by the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts’ School of Dance, offered prospective students a hands-on look at life as an OHIO dancer, complete with classes, performances and conversations with current students, alumni and faculty.
Move, learn and connect
The full-day event began with a welcome breakfast and a mini resource fair where guests explored the School of Dance’s BFA and BA programs, along with certificate options in performing arts health and wellness, entrepreneurship and production. Visitors met representatives from student organizations including The Movement, Athens Black Contemporary Dancers and the nationally recognized OHIO Dance Team.
Photo credit: James Hamilton
Attendees participated in technique classes in ballet, jazz, hip-hop and modern dance throughout the day. Parents joined their own engagement sessions, learning how the university supports students pursuing artistic careers.
“It’s really special to see how collaborative it all is,” said senior BFA dance major Lainey Harbert. “Everything feels connected, from the student groups to the way professors encourage us to get out and teach, perform and learn beyond the classroom.”
Harbert and fellow senior dance student Gwendolyn Cardimen said the School of Dance’s focus on experiential learning sets it apart. Both students have performed and taught outside of Athens through partnerships and festivals, gaining early exposure to the professional world.
“We’re not just learning about opportunities, we’re living them,” Cardimen said.
From the studio to the stage
The day concluded with the Dance at OHIO showcase, where current students and guests performed together in the Shirley Wimmer Studio Theater. The performance captured the spirit of the program, which is innovative, community-driven and deeply personal.
That sense of support extends beyond the studio through unique resources such as the SHAPe Clinic, a health and wellness space located in Putnam Hall that offers free athletic training services for performing artists.
“That was one of the reasons I chose OHIO,” Cardimen said. “It’s rare to find a school that treats dancers like athletes and gives us access to the care we need.”
Students receive specialized care and wellness support for performance-related injuries at the SHAPe Clinic, a collaborative facility between the College of Fine Arts and the College of Health Sciences and Professions.
Preparing artists for every stage
For many, Dance at OHIO represents more than just a recruitment event. It is a glimpse into the university’s philosophy of balancing artistry with practical preparation. The program’s graduates have gone on to careers in performance, education, arts administration, therapy and entrepreneurship.
Harbert said the program encourages students to think beyond traditional paths. “I’ve learned how to teach, choreograph and collaborate across disciplines,” she said. “It’s not just about perfecting technique, it’s about finding your voice as an artist.”
As the day ended, students and families left with more than just a brochure. They left with a deeper understanding of what it means to dance at OHIO, where students learn to grow, create and belong.
