Tanner Dance At Home: Tanner Dance is providing resources to families staying home during this time. We are updating the content on an ongoing basis. Click here to visit our Online Education and Outreach page.
COVID-19 update: Tanner Dance has decided to cancel all onsite classes and in person programming until further notice. We have online resources in place for students. Read our full statement here.
Tanner Dance at the University of Utah
Virginia Tanner created the Tanner Dance Program in 1949, and today the program continues to nurture an appreciation of dance, music, literature, theater and visual arts in a beautiful home, the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts and Education Complex. The program reaches over 40,000 children and adults throughout Utah each year.
Message from Director Mary Ann Lee!
Registration for Fall 2020-Spring 2021 classes
Registration for Fall 2020-Spring 2021 classes will open on April 20, 2020.
Tanner Dance Contemporary Companies Auditions 2020-2021
IN MOTION, MOMENTUM + TIPPING POINT DANCE COMPANIES
SUBMISSIONS DUE FRIDAY, MAY 15
In Motion Dance Company (7th and 8th Grades):
In Motion Dance Company is a performing group at Tanner Dance for dancers entering 7th and 8th grade. The focus of this company is to provide dancers with strong and versatile technique, in-depth creative processing skills, and more opportunities on stage. Curriculum focuses on contemporary and ballet technique, as well as improvisation and composition. Company members learn and perform choreography by guest choreographers, Tanner Dance staff, and students in the program.
Momentum Dance Company and Tipping Point Company (9th through 12th Grades):
Momentum Dance Company and Tipping Point Dance Company are performing groups for dancers entering 9th-12th grade. These programs are designed for students who are committed to their own growth as dancers within a disciplined work environment. The goals of the program are to train dancers to become technically strong and versatile movers; engaging, confident performers; inquisitive choreographers; and artistic community leaders.
The program connects dancers to professional dance artists and university programs through master classes and choreographic projects. Curriculum focuses on contemporary and ballet technique, as well as improvisation and composition. Company members learn and perform choreography by guest choreographers, Tanner Dance staff, and students in the program.
Summer Camps and Classes at Tanner Dance
Registration for summer camps and classes is now open!
Welcome to Tanner Dance!
Virginia Tanner began teaching children’s dance classes in the early 1940s, but it was in 1949 when the Children’s Dance Theatre gave its first official performance at Kingsbury Hall on the University of Utah campus. We mark the beginning of this incredible program of dance for children from that time when Doris Humphrey, a leader in American modern dance first saw Virginia’s small company perform and wrote to Virginia, “Your children have left an indelible impression with me of true creative dance. Your children offer a wonderful proof of the power of the young artist, guided wisely, untarnished by dogma or routine, un-stereotyped and lovely. This source of fresh ideas in dance-art is a treasure house to which you have found the key. Only to one who believes in children and understands them could this treasure have been unlocked. Congratulations for bringing Children’s Dance Theatre to reality, and for being its faithful guardian and creator. Their performance I saw in Salt Lake gave me a lift in spirit which I shall always remember. I think beautiful children dancing have more to teach us than we have to teach them.”
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"We love that everyone involved in the program sincerely cares about our children as people, and wants them to feel good about who they are."
-Tanner Dance parent
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"We seek to engage the mind and spirit of every child, to train the body as an instrument, to embrace the hard work of dance, and finally, to set the imagination free."
-Mary Ann Lee
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"The motivating force behind my work is not only developing excellent dancers, but more importantly, developing young people who are useful, imaginative, worthwhile human beings."
-virginia tanner
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"Without reserve; each child spun, ran, waved his arms, or joined a friend. The freedom of movement and limitless expression touched me. I wrote a Facebook post titled, 'The Gift of a Child with Behavioral Problems'. In it, I said, 'You’ll wonder how this ungainly bird could ever be expected to leave the nest without leaving a path of destruction in its wake.' Watching my son leap and twirl, I thought of this quote. Thanks to you, I saw my bird fly."
-arts in education parent
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"Whether they spoke English or Swahili, whether they were Autistic or neurotypical, whether they were able or disabled, EVERY second grader at Granger was a choreographer, a dancer, an artist, and a performer this year. A wheelchair-bound 2nd grader with a severe and painful skin condition told his teacher, ‘When I go to dance, I feel like I am normal. When I dance, I feel like I am free. "
-Principal, Granger Elementary
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"I came away from the parent meeting tonight just full of love and joy and gratitude for CDT. It is a privilege to be a part of this nurturing, strong, visionary company, as a musician and as a parent. I am so happy that my little girls get to "grow up" in the arms of this place. It matters so much to me! "
-tanner dance parent
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"Besides the fact that our son loves the Elevate and the Dancers with Disabilities classes that he attends, they are also wonderfully therapeutic for him. Through these programs he makes and meets goals that are quite constant with speech and physical therapy. For speech, he works on pronunciation and participation in social experiences that could not be duplicated elsewhere. The increase in strength and agility and the joy in movement that he experiences every week are obvious physical benefits. Participating in Elevate is a dream come true both for him and for us, as his parents!"
-dancers with disabilities parent
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"I feel so blessed to have found a place that reflects the values I want to instill in my children, a place that honors character and goodness. It truly is the happiest place to dance!"
-tanner dance parent
CHILDREN'S DANCE THEATRE
Children’s Dance Theatre (CDT), the performing arm of the University of Utah Tanner Dance Program, was established in 1949 by Virginia Tanner. The company of 280 young dancers, ages 8 through 18, performs for more than 30,000 Utahns annually. Under Mary Ann Lee’s artistic direction since 1979, the organization continues to grow in size and programming, earning state, national, and international recognition.
Please refer to your Tanner Dance eNews emails, or click below for important studio dates. Bookmarking our calendar on your computer and phone is a great way to stay up-to-date!
The Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts & Education Complex is available for rental
Our facility is the perfect location for a range of events. Our complex hosts a black box theatre, six large studios with pianos, an outdoor deck, and open lobby. Whether you are planning a wedding reception, corporate retreat, community meeting, or fundraising event, find yourself inside the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts & Education Complex. We also have space for film screenings, piano and dance recitals, and studio and rehearsal space. Our professional technical and event support staff are available to help you manage all aspects of your event.
The Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts & Education Complex is truly a unique and vibrant space. All areas are accessible to persons with disabilities. Please plan rentals with plenty of lead time, as even the smallest of rentals need at least two weeks preparation.
For information, please contact Amy Buchanan at amy.buchanan@utah.edu or 801-587-3726.
QUESTIONS
Main Office
801-581-7374
tannerdance@utah.edu
PARKING
University Commuter Services
801-581-6415
LOCATION
Tanner Dance is located in the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts & Education Complex (BTSAEC) at the University of Utah.
1721 Campus Center Drive Salt Lake City, Utah 84112