Overview
The summer dance program offers an encompassing curriculum for the serious student who wishes to study dance in a focused and creative atmosphere. Classes are designed to improve the artistic and technical proficiency of each student while providing a positive environment for the exploration of movement and personal growth.
Classes are taught by an experienced and distinguished professional faculty. Additionally, instructors restage choreography and create original works in a variety of styles that showcase students. Each three week session culminates with a public showing of the repertory pieces and may include a performance in summer showcases such as "Collage" and "Les Préludes."
Dance majors train six hours a day and may choose to attend for three or six weeks. Applicants can select from either a ballet emphasis that includes pointe technique and variations or a modern dance emphasis that includes improvisation and composition.
Program Details
- Placement in technique class is determined by skill level.
- Class size is held to approximately 15 students to ensure that students receive individual attention.
- Additional performance opportunities are provided through informal studio showings and interdisciplinary performances incorporating works from multiple arts areas.
Note: Because of the vigorous nature of the dance program, participants should be free of injury prior to arrival. Any health-related concern should be acknowledged on the medical form and reported to the dance department prior to arrival. Dancers are expected to maintain a body weight that is proportionate to their height and bone structure.
All students are expected to be well-groomed; long hair must be worn up and off the neck. A complete listing of required dance attire and supplies will be included in the student handbook and posted on the website.
Modern Dance Emphasis
- Ballet Technique
- Modern Technique
- Improvisation/Composition
- Jazz
- Body Conditioning
- Repertory
Due to the focused nature of this curriculum, students do not participate in any elective classes outside of the dance curriculum.
Modern Dance Prerequisites: Students should have had at least three years of previous training.
Audition Requirements
An audition is required for acceptance into either the ballet emphasis or modern dance emphasis programs, and may be accomplished by submission of a video/DVD or by attending a regional audition.
- A photograph taken in full body pose
- A list of training experiences. Please include subject (modern, ballet, jazz, composition, other), dates, names and locations of schools and names of teachers.
- A video audition, if not attending a live regional audition.
Video Audition for Modern
Center floor exercises (no barre):
Part I: A three-minute modern dance warm-up that includes basic vocabulary; the warm-up should give a sense of the applicant's placement, line, body awareness, flexibility and control.
Part II: Performance of one solo piece no longer than two minutes. The choreography for the solo may be the applicant's or another person's creative work and should include dynamic range, ability to move in space, change levels and use of the floor. Please identify the choreographer and piece.
