• Deadlines

    Application

    Priority Deadline: January 7th, 2024

    General Deadline: February 1st, 2024

    Round One Pre-screening Video

    Priority Deadline: January 14th, 2024

    General Deadline: February 8th, 2024

    Round Two In-Person Auditions*

    • February 10th, 2024
    • February 16th, 2024
    • February 23rd, 2024
    • March 2nd, 2024

    *Live audition dates on campus by invitation only.

    Application Requirements

    Admission Details

    Admission to the Conservatory of Dance is highly competitive. Acceptance is based primarily on your dance audition, demonstrating:

    • Extensive prior training in modern, contemporary, and/or classical ballet
    • Serious commitment to dance training and a career in the professional dance field
    • Talent and potential as a performer
    • Musicality

    Application Overview

    To be considered for admission, you must first apply to the college’s BFA Dance program and submit a first round pre-screening video. Finalists will then be invited to the second round campus audition.

    The non-refundable audition fee of $65 must be submitted online at the time of your pre-screening submissions.

    Applicants selected for the auditions on campus will be emailed the live audition registration instructions after the pre-screening round is complete (after January 14).

    International Applicants should complete the pre-screening as per the directions below. If you are invited to participate in a live audition, you will be contacted by the Conservatory Coordinator to schedule a time. International audition dates are February 14 and 21, 2024.

    Please note: Live audition registration is not yet available.

    Round One Pre-screening Instructions

    What to Include in Your Video

    Your pre-screening audition should not exceed 15 minutes and should consist of:

    • Specific Ballet class exercises (details below)
    • Specific Modern/Contemporary exercises (link below)
    • A ballet and a modern/contemporary phrase (links below)

    Pre-screening Tips

    • We are not expecting you to submit a professional quality video, but we must be able to see you clearly.
    • Clothing should contrast with the filming environment so that you stand out from the background. We recommend wearing either a unitard; tights and a fitted top; or a leotard that enables you to move freely and enables the viewer to assess your technique.
    • Hair must be off your face, eyes, and neck.
    • Ballet class requires ballet slippers. Modern/Contemporary class is barefoot.
    • Avoid placing yourself in front of a strong light source and choose a space with minimal visual distractions for the viewer.
    • The frame of the video should show the full body throughout and should not include any dancers other than the applicant.
    • If you plan to use a phone to film, then please hold the phone horizontally to ensure that the view is as wide and clear as possible.

    Video Details

    The various sections of your Pre-Screening sections must be filmed as separate, but continuous shots. In other words, we expect you to edit your videos so that the viewer only downloads five files: the Introduction, the Ballet exercises, the Modern exercises, the Ballet phrase and the Modern phrase.

    Please submit your video with sections arranged in the following order:

    1) Introduction

    A brief close-up shot of your face. State your name, current city, and country of residence.

    2) Ballet Class

    Barre

    Alternate sides for each exercise. There is no set choreography for the exercises required for barre, but we are expecting you to present the following traditional exercises:

    • Pliés (right side only)
    • Frappés (left side only)
    • Adagio (right side only)
    • Grand Battement (left side only)
    Center Work
    • Adagio: Four phrases of eight (two phrases on the right side, two phrases on the left side)
    • Petit allegro: Four phrases of eight (two phrases on the right side, two phrases on the left side)
    • Waltz with Pirouette combinations: Four phrases of eight (two phrases on the right side, two phrases on the left side)

    Please do the above exercises to music.

    Please note: Pointe is not required for the pre-screening audition, but you are welcome to present your material en pointe.

    3) Modern/Contemporary Class

    • We are providing a series of exercises for you to learn that are presented by Tulia Marshall and Jai Perez, BFA in Dance Class of 2023. Record these exercises as per the demonstrations in the video. Use this music, an original composition by Jagger Clark.
    • In addition, if you are trained in any codified Modern dance technique, then you can submit a 30 second example. If you don’t know any codified technique, it will not negatively impact your application.

    If you are experiencing difficulty in recording your pre-screening video (i.e. not enough space, cannot access a studio etc.), please contact the Conservatory of Dance at dance@purchase.edu. This will not negatively impact your application.

    4) Supplemental Dance Phrases

    Please view the following ballet and modern/contemporary phrases:

    Prepare and perform these phrases to the music provided below:

    Record your phrases as per the demonstration in the video and submit with your pre-screening video.

    Additional Materials

     

    All dancers are required to submit the following items via their Admissions Portal when they submit their pre-screening video. Please do not e-mail these materials to the Conservatory of Dance.

    • Dance Resume
    • One (1) Artistic Letter of Recommendation
    • Dance Photo (an 8x10 full body shot)*
      *A professional photo is not required.

    Round Two Live Audition (By Invitation Only) In-Person Auditions

    If selected, applicants will be invited to sign up for a live audition on one of the following dates: February 10, February 16, February 23, and March 2, 2024

    These live auditions will take place on campus at Purchase College, SUNY. Please do not call the Conservatory of Dance to schedule an audition. All auditions are scheduled online.

    International applicants: if none of the pre-determined dates for the live auditions are not possible, please contact The Conservatory of Dance at dance@purchase.edu.

    What to Expect During the In-Person Auditions

    This portion of the audition will take place on campus, in a dance studio with fellow applicants.

    The audition class will be led by a Purchase dance faculty member. Students will be observed by a panel of 2–3 faculty. The dance audition class will consist of a Ballet class, Modern/Contemporary combinations in the center and across the floor, and improvisation prompts.

    Following class, the audition panel will select finalists to present their solos in the afternoon. The live audition will conclude with a short interview.

    The schedule is adhered to as much as possible. However, the number of applicants in any given audition, winter weather, or other extenuating circumstances may cause changes. Please plan to spend a full day at Purchase College.

    90-Second Solo

    Each dancer should be prepared to present a 90-second solo performance in classical or contemporary Ballet, Modern, or Contemporary dance. We would like to see you in a work that shows you at your best. Note the following carefully, as no exceptions will be made:

    • Your music should be on your phone.
    • Choreography may either be by you or another person.
    • Be prepared to introduce your dance: title, choreographer, composer and any additional information that you wish us to know.
    • Please do not let your dance exceed 90 seconds. If your dance exceeds 90 seconds, then you will be asked to stop. We are primarily interested in your performance and movement ability.
    • The audition studio has a marley floor.
    • No costumes are permitted.

    Injury Policy

    If you become injured prior to your scheduled audition date, then you may reschedule your audition for a later date. If your recovery period exceeds the final scheduled audition date (March 2, 2024), then you may be granted an extension by request. Please contact the Conservatory of Dance at dance@purchase.edu to discuss your options.

    Admission Decisions

    You will be notified of your admission decision three to four weeks after your audition date if your application is complete and you have paid the audition fee.

    For additional information about the Dance BFA program visit the Conservatory of Dance.