Bachelor Degree Sacred Dance

achelor of Sacred Dance (BSD) — Academy of Ministries

Vision
Form Spirit-led artist-leaders who embody Scripture, shepherd communities, and innovate worship through movement, grounded in tradition and amplified by ethical technology.

Why the BSD at Academy of Ministries
- Scripture-rooted artistry: rigorous theological reflection woven into creative practice.
- Deep formation: prayerful embodiment, discernment, humility, pastoral presence.
- Versatile technique: modern, ballet, African, Afro-Caribbean, Middle Eastern, improvisation, with Laban/Bartenieff fundamentals.
- Leadership that serves: rehearse, teach, pastor teams, and direct ministries with cultural intelligence and care.
- Ethical innovation: leverage AI and digital tools with clear boundaries that honor people, cultures, and Sabbath.

What you’ll learn
- Spiritual formation for sustainable, Spirit-led practice.
- Dance technique that is safe, versatile, and expressive.
- Choreography for congregations and stage, biblically rooted and theologically sound.
- Leadership and pedagogy for teams, classes, and ministries.
- Theological integration across Scripture, church history, liturgy, and ethics.
- Technology fluency for choreography, teaching, media, research, and community engagement.

AI and digital technology, wisely integrated
- Teaching: motion-capture/pose apps for alignment feedback, AI-assisted lesson planning, reflective learning journals, captioning/transcription for accessibility.
- Performance/design: projection mapping, interactive visuals, AR/VR sacred spaces, AI-assisted music/soundscapes, lighting and stagecraft software, livestream/OBS.
- Research: AI text analysis of liturgy/hymns, global sacred-dance digital archives, movement-notation tools, data-informed ministry evaluation.
- Administration/community: digital portfolios, planning/scheduling apps, privacy-first consent workflows, engagement analytics.
- Ethics: consent, choreography copyright, dataset bias, cultural appropriation, Sabbath/tech boundaries.

Program at a glance
- Format: 8 semesters (4 years), ensemble work and ministry practicum each year.
- Learning model: studio + seminar + fieldwork; in-person training with digital enhancement.
- Experiences: worship services, stage productions, community partnerships, capstone performance, and a polished digital portfolio.
- Mentoring: faculty advising, pastoral care, and peer formation groups.

Sample courses
- Spiritual Formation I–IV: Embodied Prayer and Scripture
- Technique Sequence: Modern, Ballet, African, Afro-Caribbean, Middle Eastern, Improvisation
- Movement Literacy: Laban/Bartenieff
- Choreography I–III: Congregational and Stage Works
- Leadership and Pedagogy for Ministry Teams
- Theological Reflection: Scripture, Liturgy, Church History, Ethics
- Tech Studios: Motion Capture, Projection/AR/VR, Media and Livestream
- Ethics of Technology and Cultural Intelligence
- Capstone: Sacred Dance Production and Ministry Portfolio

Who this is for
- Emerging worship artists, dance ministers, choreographers, and teaching artists called to shepherd communities through movement.
- Leaders seeking robust theology, excellent technique, and ethical tech fluency.

Outcomes
- Worship arts director, dance ministry pastor, choreographer, teaching artist, creative producer, community arts leader.
- Graduates embody Scripture, lead with care, create with integrity, and innovate responsibly.

Ready to begin?
- Apply: submit application, testimony of call, audition/portfolio.
- Visit: sit in on class, meet faculty, attend chapel.
- Talk to an advisor: