Dec 13, 2024  
Butler University Bulletin 2024-2025 
    
Butler University Bulletin 2024-2025

Jordan College of the Arts


Administration
Lisa Brooks, DMA, Dean; Wendy Meaden, MFA, Associate Dean; Doug Spaniol, DMA, Associate Dean; Derek Reid, MA, Associate Dean for IDEA

Professors
Larry Attaway, BM; Kathleen Boyd, DMA; Timothy R. Brimmer, DA; Lisa Brooks, DMA; Marek Cholewa; Richard Clark, MM; Penny Dimmick, DA; William Fisher, MFA equivalent; Robert Koharchik, MFA; Wendy Meaden, MFA; David Murray, MM; Matthew Pivec, DMA; Cynthia Pratt, MFA; Derek Reid, MA; Michael Schelle, PhD; Doug Spaniol, DMA; Eric Stark, DMA; Diane Timmerman, MFA

Associate Professors
Elaina Artemiev, PhD; Frank Felice, PhD; Ramón Flowers, MFA; William Grubb, DMA; Nicholas Johnson, PhD; Brenda Johnston, MAM; Becky Marsh, PhD; Steve Nyktas, MFA; John Perkins, DMA; Gautam Rao, MFA; Rosanna Ruffo; Brian Weidner, PhD; Oliver Worthington, DMA; Dana Zenobi, DMA

Assistant Professors
Sophie Benn, PhD; Trae Blanco, DMA; Mélanie Clapiès, DMA; Zachary Cooper, DMA; Madeline Eschenburg, PhD; Fred Hosken, PhD; David Ingram, MFA; Andrés López, PhD

Senior Lecturer and Artist-in-Residence
Jon Crabiel, MA

Lecturers
Melissa Johnson, MM; David Orvek, MA; Laura Storm, DM; Manòn Voice, MA

Professor of Practice
Penny Brandt, PhD

College Website
www.butler.edu/jordan-arts/

The Jordan College of the Arts has a distinguished tradition extending from the year 1895, when the Metropolitan School of Music was founded. That school merged in 1928 with the Indiana College of Music and Fine Arts to become the Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music. In 1951, after 23 years of close affiliation, the conservatory became a part of Butler University as the Jordan College of Music. The name was changed to Jordan College of Fine Arts in 1978, and in 2012 the name was again changed to Jordan College of the Arts (JCA).

All Jordan College of the Arts students - future artist-citizens - are involved in the arts both on campus and off, performing for diverse audiences at Butler and on tour, attending concerts and exhibitions throughout Indianapolis and Central Indiana, and working in arts organizations throughout the country. Through our community outreach program, the Butler Community Arts School, over 100 Butler students teach music and other arts to almost 2,000 young people in Indianapolis, many of whom are on scholarship.

The Jordan College of the Arts offers programs of study leading to the degrees of bachelor of arts, bachelor of fine arts, bachelor of music, bachelor of musical arts, bachelor of science, master of arts, and master of music. The five academic departments - art, arts administration, dance, music, and theatre - focus on specific areas of study within their fields, be it the intersection of art and design in the Department of Art, classical ballet in the Department of Dance, or not-for-profit arts management in the Arts Administration Department.

Butler University is a fully accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance, the National Association of Schools of Music, and the National Association of Schools of Theatre.

Mission

The Jordan College of the Arts fosters an inclusive and welcoming learning community to develop students as artist-citizens through innovative arts education, professional study, and experiential learning.

Values

Student Focus

We empower students to reach their highest potential. We provide an atmosphere of creative learning that embraces discipline, expands student growth, and values the axiom of “freedom to fail.”

Inclusivity

We recognize the value that is created for students, faculty, staff, and the broader arts community when we work together across disciplines, seek varied perspectives, and embrace diversity of thought, life experiences, and cultures.

Professionalism

We prepare our students for successful careers in their disciplines by adhering to professional-level standards that mirror real-world expectations. We have high standards and strive for excellence in all we do.

Innovation

We encourage and empower our students to forge new creative paths in the arts.  We stretch the boundaries of our artistic fields and inspire students to explore new avenues of creative expression.

Undergraduate Degree Programs

  • Bachelor of Arts in Art + Design (BA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Art History (BA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Dance (Pedagogy) (BA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Music (BA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Theatre (BA)
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance-Performance (BFA)
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting (BFA)
  • Bachelor of Music in Composition (BM)
  • Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies (BM)
  • Bachelor of Music in Music Education (choral-general, instrumental-general, or area) (BM)
  • Bachelor of Music in Performance (piano, voice, or instrumental) (BM)
  • Bachelor of Music in Performance and Music Education (BM)
  • Bachelor of Musical Arts (BMA)
  • Bachelor of Science in Arts Administration (art, art history, music, theatre, or general) (BS)
  • Bachelor of Science in Dance (Arts Administration) (BS)

Graduate Degree Programs

  • Master of Arts in Musicology (MA)
  • Master of Music in Composition (MM)
  • Master of Music in Conducting (choral or instrumental) (MM)
  • Master of Music in Music Education (MM)
  • Master of Music in Performance (MM)
  • Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy (MM)

Graduate 4+1 Program

  • BS in Arts Administration & MA in Philanthropic Studies

Admission

All prospective students must submit a Jordan College of the Arts program application in addition to the Butler University Application for First Year Admission. They must also complete an audition, interview, or portfolio review depending on the area of study. Both applications must be on file one week prior to the audition, interview, or portfolio review. An on-campus or regional audition is required for all dance and music applicants. An on-campus or regional audition or portfolio presentation is required for all theatre applicants. An interview is required for all arts administration general applicants. A portfolio review is required for all art applicants.

Information and details about on-campus auditions, regional auditions, interviews, and portfolio presentations/reviews are available at www.butler.edu/jordan-arts/admission/.

Note that all students who wish to be considered for Jordan College of the Arts talent awards should complete the audition, interview, or portfolio review process during the regularly scheduled audition season. Department-specific requirements are available online.

Prospective graduate students should see the Graduate Studies section in the Admission Information and Requirements chapter or contact the School of Music.

General Academic Regulations

In addition to the University academic regulations, the following are applicable to students registered in the Jordan College of the Arts.

  • 40 upper-division credit hours (300-400 level) are required for graduation.
  • Courses in the student’s major or minor receiving a grade of C- or below will not count towards that major or minor. Courses taken pass/fail which are normally assigned a letter grade will not count towards that major or minor.
  • All students working towards a teaching license must meet additional requirements as outlined for licensing.
  • All students are required to participate in departmental ensembles, presentations, and activities as required by the specific curricular and scholarship guidelines.
  • As an essential component of a full and varied educational experience in the arts, undergraduate JCA majors are required to attend arts events in their discipline and related areas throughout their tenure at Butler. Attendance requirements vary by major. See degree programs, the JCA office, and/or departmental offices for details.

Jordan College Courses

JC 150  Schrott Center for the Arts Stage Production Training

JC 350  Schrott Center for the Arts Stage Production Training

JC 380  Special Seminar in Visual and Performing Arts

JC 401  Independent Study in the Arts

JC 402  Independent Study in the Arts

JC 403  Independent Study in the Arts

JC 480  Special Seminar in Visual and Performing Arts

Department of Art

Go to information for Department of Art.

Department of Arts Administration

Go to information for Department of Arts Administration.

Department of Dance

Go to information for Department of Dance.

School of Music

Go to information for School of Music.

Department of Theatre

Go to information for Department of Theatre.