The Ballet Department at the University of Utah has a history of excellence dating from 1951. In this groundbreaking year, William F. Christensen — noted dancer, teacher, and founder of the San Francisco Ballet Company — returned to his native Utah and founded one of the first ballet programs in an American university.

Faculty and graduates of the University of Utah’s Ballet Department were fundamental in the formation and growth of Ballet West, one of three major professional dance companies in Salt Lake City. Through the excellence and professional success of their faculty, students, and alumni, the Department of Ballet continues to attract a cosmopolitan enrollment of students from all 50 states and abroad. Many alumni are currently dancing professionally, or working as dance teachers and administrators in colleges, universities and other educational and professional organizations throughout the world.