Dance

Associate in Art
Dance

View the full list of Curriculum Guides (applicable for students admitted prior to Fall 2024) and Degree Maps (applicable for students admitted Fall 2024 and after).

Barton Dance Theater (DANC 1001 – 2 credits) 

Dance Composition I (DANC 1010- 3 credits)

Tap Dance I (DANC 1016 – 2 credits) 

Modern Dance I & II (DANC 1020 & 1030 - 2 & 3 credits) 

Ballet I, II & III (DANC 1035, 1036 & 1038 – 2 & 3 credits)

Pointe/Pre-Pointe (DANC 1037- 1 credit)

Jazz Dance I & II (DANC 1100 & 1102 - 2 credits)

History of Dance I (DANC 1040 – 3 credits) 

History of Dance II (DANC 1042- 3 credits)

Dance Teaching Methodologies (DANC 1110- 3 credits)

Dance Internship (DANC 1115- 1 credit)

Barton Dance Theatre (BDT) is committed to bringing high quality dance experiences with artistic motivation to Barton students and beyond. BDT members learn, rehearse and perform challenging dances from a diverse range of styles with intent to represent the college at a wide range of local and national venues. Giving students the experience of what working in a dance company is like while gaining two college credit hours, BDT is an excellent choice for those looking to work in the field of dance or for those who pursue dancing with commitment, energy, and perseverance.

BDT (course DANC 1001) meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. After being accepted by audition, students must register for the 2-credit hour class to participate.

BDT Company Requirements: 

• Acceptance by audition.
• A minimum of two years dance experience in Modern/Contemporary Dance, Jazz Dance, and/or Ballet.
• Be actively enrolled and attending dance technique classes in the fall semester at Barton or regional dance studio.

Upcoming BDT Auditions

The class-style audition can be done either virtually through Zoom or live. Please contact Danika Bielek at bielekd@bartonccc.edu or (620)792-9253.

• Check shows.bartonccc.edu for audition schedules!

Barton Dance Theatre Alumni

Danika Bielek
Dance Instructor, Dance Program Coordinator, & Director of Barton Dance Theatre

With 25 + years of working as a dance educator, Danika Bielek has taught students from beginners through professionals of all ages, including instructing at multiple colleges, preparing dancers for YAGP, and teaching Olympic trainees in Colorado Springs to understand how the moving arts can benefit their sport. In addition to being a dance educator, she is also a Yoga instructor. She has a B.F.A. cum laude in Dance Performance/Choreography at Arizona State University. After spending days in the studio, her love for dancing continued to Phoenix nightclubs where she began Salsa dancing.

In 2013 Ms. Bielek began studying dance as a form of therapy for many purposes- whether it be maintaining a mind-to-body connection in aging adults or building self-confidence in abused children, with Dance for PD and Gibney Dance. She performed professionally for over a decade with modern, ballet, improvisation, and Afro-Caribbean companies by Daniel Nagrin, CK Ganyo, Cliff Keuter, Bill Evans, Marion Kirk Jones, David Taylor, Cleo Parker Robinson, and Brazilian choreographer, Rosangela Silvestre. Other career highlights include choreographing a Heart Ball Gala for the American Heart Association, founding Composite Dance Theatre, being a featured choreographer on the PBS’s series Dance Horizons, and is currently one of the Rehearsal Directors for the Prairie Nutcracker in Central Kansas. Ms. Bielek is passionate over arts advocacy and has worked as an arts administrator as the Dance Chair at Pikes Peak Community College, Executive Director & Dance Director of the Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts and is currently a dance representative with the Kansas Creative Arts & Industries Commission.

In addition to enjoying life as a dance instructor and Director of Barton Dance Theatre, she also serves as the Fine & Performing Arts Coordinator at Barton Community College. She is Mom to a “sciencey” adult son, Nigel, and lives with her musician husband Scot, and silly dachshund, Franz.

Mara Klenda 
Ballet & Pointe Instructor

Mara Whitaker Klenda began her ballet training at the age of three in Tacoma, Washington. She has studied with David Howard, George de la Pena, Rebecca Wright, Kimberly Glasco, Boston Ballet School, Wichita State University, and chiefly with Nancy Hervey and Jill Landrith at Nancy Hervey School of Ballet in Wichita, Kansas. In 1989, Mara joined Ballet Wichita, formerly Metropolitan Ballet of Wichita, as a junior member. In 1995 she was promoted to soloist, and to principal in 1998. Her roles include Sugar Plum Fairy, Dew Drop Fairy, and nearly every other female role in "The Nutcracker", Effie in "La Sylphide", Mazurka in "Les Sylphide", "Paquita", Little Swan in "Swan Lake" , the title role in Snow White and many others. Mara created roles in Jill Landrith's "Merlin's Song", "Blue", "Torch", and others. Mara also worked with guest choreographers Sean Duus of Kansas City Ballet and Rebecca Wright, formerly of American Ballet Theatre. In 1999 Mara was awarded the Kansas Cultural Trust. Mara has been a ballet teacher and choreographer in Kansas for over a decade. She has taught at the Nancy Hervey School of Ballet, the school of Ballet Wichita. She has also been on staff at the Center For World Dance, The Movement Authority, Wichita YMCA, Goddard Public Schools and Artistree at the Forum in Hutchinson, KS.  She is currently Ballet Mistress at Tamara Howe School of Dance and Artistic Director of Ballet Salina. She is excited to share her vast knowledge of and passion for ballet technique with Barton Community College’s dance students!

Classes for Adults & High School Students

We welcome and invite high school students and adults from the community to join dance technique classes for personal enjoyment. Barton specifically offers lunchtime and evening classes to be available to working adults.

Dance for Aging Adults

Our program has unique movement classes designed for seniors to help increase balance, promote better posture and develop a stronger mind-to-body connection necessary for mobility. DANC 1003- Dancing for Mobility (DANC 1003) meets on Monday and Wednesdays from 1:30 - 2:45 pm.

“Barton’s Dance Department helped me in many ways. I learned how to handle a busy schedule and social life at the same time. I learned how to be a leader. I learned how to teach others to dance, and life-lessons as well. I grew as a dancer with the amazing dance works Miss Danika taught me and I’ve brought good technique with me to the University of Houston. I made many friendships and even got to experience New York City! The Barton Dance Department will always have a special place in my heart!”

Chandlor Buffalo - Barton Class of 2025
University of Houston Dance Major and Dance Team Member

“The Barton Dance program has helped to shape my dance career for a future. Working with Danika and learning from the program has helped me to transition to dance at a university level. I gained many new skills and major improvements in my overall technique that has also led me to have a great summer intensive opportunity in Chicago. Throughout my time at Barton, I grew both as a dancer and as a young adult. Without this program I would not be pursuing dance.”

Sydney Mason - Barton Class of 2022
Wichita State University Dance Major

Visit the What Can I Do with My Major? webpage to find helpful resources on career paths, employers and more!