Frequently Asked Questions About Dance Auditions
What do I wear?
Conservative dance attire is requested. Leotards, tights (that are either footless or convertible), and unitards are all appropriate. No baggy clothing, jazz pants, skirts or any other clothing that obscures the body lines. Women with longer hair should attach their hair to their head in a secure up-do (bun, twist, etc). Most students wear black leotards with either black or pink tights. What kind of shoes do I need to bring with me?
You will need to bring ballet slippers, jazz shoes and have access to bare feet for the modern portion of the audition. No pointes shoes or tap shoes are needed The audition consists of what types of dance?
The audition will consist of ballet, modern/contemporary, and jazz. We are looking for well-trained dancers. Technique levels should be at a minimum intermediate level in ballet and jazz.
Do I need to prepare anything ahead of time for the audition?
Each student will perform a ONE minute solo for a panel of faculty, immediately following the technical portion of the audition. The dance should be choreographed by the student and may be in the modern dance, ballet, jazz, or hiphop genre. Please wear your audition attire for the performance (no costumes). Our music system will play from phones, computers, and/or CDs. If I have never had any dance training, could I still be a dance major or minor?
No. We are assuming that you have been training in dance prior to attending EMU and have, at the minimum, intermediate proficiency in ballet and jazz and beginning level proficiency in modern dance. If you are a beginner, we do offer a large range of non-major classes in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and musical theater dance for all students who just want to study dance during the college years. Some of these beginner level courses count for general education credit as well. Dance majors/minors take different, higher-level technique classes. Do you place all incoming majors/minors in the same technique level?
At the audition, you will be assessed as to whether you will be accepted as a major/minor and what technique level would be appropriate for you. We offer four levels of major/minor technique levels in ballet and modern. Students are placed into technique classes according to their ability level; so all students progress in the appropriate technique classes. Students take technique in both ballet and modern dance for all four years for dance majors. What if I am unsure about whether I want to major or minor in dance?
You do not need to choose at the time of audition whether you want to major or minor in dance. Keep in mind though that scholarships can only be offered to dance majors. Double majors in dance and another subject are encouraged and supported. It is common for students to switch from a dance minor to a major and vise-versa once the students begins studying at EMU. What if I cannot attend the in-person audition date?
We do recommend attending our in-person audition date. The audition is more than just you "trying out". We offer an opportunity to get to know our program, our students, and our faculty. The decision to attend EMU is a major one and the more information you have--the better.
But, if you cannot make the audition date, we do offer year round virtual auditions.
What about dance scholarships? Do I have to do anything special to be
considered?All students who audition for dance major status are automatically considered for scholarships. Dance faculty choose outstanding students in the auditions to recommend for dance scholarships. Students are then individually contacted after the audition notifying them if they are offered a scholarship. To qualify for a scholarship, students must be incoming students who intend to be dance majors. There are no scholarships for dance minors at this time. When do I get the audition results?
Students will be mailed a letter within ten business days of the audition notifying them of their acceptance status and if accepted, what dance technique courses they have been placed into. Students must bring that acceptance letter with them for any university advising sessions. Incoming dance majors/minors are only required to register for the courses stated on the acceptance letter
Do I get an advisor after I am accepted as a dance major/minor?
Not right away. Incoming dance majors/minors are required to register for the courses stated on the acceptance letter and then, fill out the rest of the schedule with general education courses. If students are transfer students will only two years at EMU till graduation, then, you need to contact a dance faculty member who can advise you on a one time only basis. After students arrive on campus and are officially enrolled the dance program, then all students are assigned a permanent dance faculty advisor who meets each semester face-to-face with the major/minor student until the student graduates. Dance major/minor students are seen by tenured or tenure-track faculty only for their advising and 100% of our students receive individual advising sessions every semester.
Am I permitted to re-audition for the dance program?
Students are allowed to audition for admission into the Dance Program, Department of Music & Dance, a maximum of two times. If a student is not admitted after the second audition, he/she may not audition again. Given sufficient, extenuating circumstance, a dance faculty member may make a request to the School Director of Music and Dance to allow a student to audition more than two times. Can I enter the dance program as a major or minor in the winter semester?
No. The only time a student who has been accepted can enter the dance program and
begin dance classes is the Fall semester. Dance classes are sequential and the
course sequences begin every Fall semester.