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Home › Students › Admissions & Auditions

Admissions & Auditions

Admission to the School of Dance is a two-step process for both undergraduate and graduate students. You must submit separate applications to the University of Arizona and the School of Dance:

Undergraduates

  1. Apply for admission to the University of Arizona
  2. Application process for admission for undergraduates to the School of Dance

Graduates

  1. Apply for admission to the University of Arizona for graduates
  2. Application process for admission for graduates to the School of Dance

BFA PROGRAM AUDITIONS

National Auditions

Auditions for Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 will be Video Auditions only.

Please navigate to the BFA Program page for important details and deadlines.

MFA PROGRAM AUDITIONS

Auditions are scheduled on an individual basis and will be online this year for entrance semester Fall 2021.

Please navigate to the MFA Program page for important details.

 

BFA Program Overview

In that the BFA is a professional degree, the primary focus is to offer technical training and performance experience that optimally prepares dancers for future professional careers in dance upon graduation. In meeting these demands, the unique triple-track design, affords students the opportunity to study ballet, modern and jazz with equal emphasis. Students also have the ability in their junior year, to taper their programs of study should they desire to specialize or concentrate more heavily on a particular discipline to meet specific future career goals, while still maintaining breadth in their technical foundation. Even though the BFA degree in dance places an emphasis on technique and performing, students are also assured of receiving a well-rounded education. To study dance at The University of Arizona is to have the best of both worlds–a nationally reputed dance program with a conservatory environment (in terms of the rigor and concentration), housed within an institution nationally lauded for scientific discoveries and research!

View our BFA program brochure

See where BFA Alumni have gone professionally

Apply Now

MFA Program Overview

The graduate curriculum in dance allows the student to focus on teaching, research, choreography or performance for dance. It also provides opportunities for interdisciplinary studies with other arts, humanities and sciences in support of the student’s development as a scholar, teacher and artist.

The M.F.A. degree has two emphasis areas that allow for intensive focus in performance or choreography. The program facilitates and nurtures dance artists in their area of emphasis while offering a comprehensive graduate education in dance. The M.F.A. degree is 60 units requiring 2-3 years of residency at the University of Arizona. The curriculum includes core courses and dance technique as well as courses in theory and pedagogy.

 

See where MFA Alumni have gone professionally

Apply Now

Dance Minor

The School of Dance offers a dance minor, which is a 21 unit program of study. Dance minors track specifically in one of three disciplines, ballet, modern or jazz. Although we do not permit dancers to audition for the minor, those who audition for the BFA program who may not meet the criteria for entrance there, but who do demonstrate a proficiency in either ballet, modern, or jazz, may be offered a spot as a dance minor. There are limited positions for dance minors.

Admissions & Auditions

  • BFA Program
  • MFA Program

Admissions & Auditions

Michelle Elena Francisco Administrative Assistant
mfrancisco@email.arizona.edu Ina Gittings Bldg, Room 121
520-621-4698

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On this Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2021, UA Dance remembers the Selma to Montgomery voting rights march led by Dr. King in March 1965. We are proud to have taken part in the 50th anniversary commemoration that took place in March 2015. Professor Melissa Lowe received an invitation from Alabama Gov. Robert J. Bentley and under her coordination, faculty member Barbea Williams choreographed a piece and traveled with now School of Dance alumni, Kennedy Thomas and Kevyn Butler to Alabama where they performed on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in a nationally televised ceremony. Bernice King, Dr. King’s daughter, was among the featured speakers. Thomas and Butler also performed in educational programming designed for youth and the three participated in lectures and discussions.

Of the experience, Lowe said, “This is one of my high points in all of my years of teaching. When we can send a dancer to an event that is of national importance, it not only provides great visibility and prestige for us, but it is a great opportunity for our dancers.”

Photo left to right: UA Dance Ensemble members Kevyn Butler and Kennedy Thomas, Bernice King, UA Dance faculty member Barbea Williams at the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Selma to Montgomery March in Alabama (2015)
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19 hours ago

On this Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2021, UA Dance remembers the Selma to Montgomery voting rights march led by Dr. King in March 1965. We are proud to have taken part in the 50th anniversary commemoration that took place in March 2015. Professor Melissa Lowe received an invitation from Alabama Gov. Robert J. Bentley and under her coordination, faculty member Barbea Williams choreographed a piece and traveled with now School of Dance alumni, Kennedy Thomas and Kevyn Butler to Alabama where they performed on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in a nationally televised ceremony. Bernice King, Dr. King’s daughter, was among the featured speakers. Thomas and Butler also performed in educational programming designed for youth and the three participated in lectures and discussions.

Of the experience, Lowe said, “This is one of my high points in all of my years of teaching. When we can send a dancer to an event that is of national importance, it not only provides great visibility and prestige for us, but it is a great opportunity for our dancers.”

Photo left to right: UA Dance Ensemble members Kevyn Butler and Kennedy Thomas, Bernice King, UA Dance faculty member Barbea Williams at the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Selma to Montgomery March in Alabama (2015)
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Cheers to our graduating dance majors!
We are so proud of you. 💙 ❤️

BFA
Elise Cricchio,
Katie McCluskey, &
Ben Ferguson, Outstanding Senior!

MFA
Emigdio Arredondo Martínez

Celebrate their big achievement by visiting: graduation.cfa.arizona.edu
... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago

Cheers to our graduating dance majors! 
We are so proud of you. 💙 ❤️

BFA
Elise Cricchio,
Katie McCluskey, &
Ben Ferguson, Outstanding Senior!

MFA
Emigdio Arredondo Martínez

Celebrate their big achievement by visiting: https://graduation.cfa.arizona.eduImage attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment
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How exciting. Congrats

i love you all!!💙💙❤️❤️

Congratulations!💙❤️

CONGrats!🎉

Well done! Congratulations!

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Now Showing!
UA Dance Digital Debut: Dec. 15-20 & Jan. 5-10
Online/On-Demand
Free Admission
To register and watch: watch.dance.arizona.edu

Join UA Dance for a virtual performance of works produced during the Fall 2020 semester that capture and juxtapose the isolation and togetherness of our current collective experience. The program features a new work by Hayley Meier, a re-staging of Elizabeth George-Fesch's “Woven” (2016), a new poppin' take on a holiday classic by Marquez Johnson, and an excerpt from Paul Taylor's “Cloven Kingdom” (1976). Plus, view an improvisation collaboration featuring the entire freshman class!

Photo by Ed Flores
... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago

Now Showing! 
UA Dance Digital Debut: Dec. 15-20 & Jan. 5-10
Online/On-Demand
Free Admission
To register and watch: watch.dance.arizona.edu

Join UA Dance for a virtual performance of works produced during the Fall 2020 semester that capture and juxtapose the isolation and togetherness of our current collective experience. The program features a new work by Hayley Meier, a re-staging of Elizabeth George-Feschs “Woven” (2016), a new poppin take on a holiday classic by Marquez Johnson, and an excerpt from Paul Taylors “Cloven Kingdom” (1976). Plus, view an improvisation collaboration featuring the entire freshman class!

Photo by Ed Flores
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Thank you UA Dance!!!

Happy last day of classes! Already looking forward to 2021 back in the studio!

Photo: Erina Ueda
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1 month ago

Happy last day of classes! Already looking forward to 2021 back in the studio! 

Photo: Erina Ueda
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Such a gorgeous space!

Beautiful, Erina💜

Beautiful!

>> Pointes from Professors <<
Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Tamara Dyke-Compton, is the co-director of dance at Perry Mansfield Performing Arts Camp, has been on faculty for Dance Masters of America, Domaine Forget in Montreal, and The Dance Project in Toronto. She has performed principal roles in Twyla Tharp’s “Movin’ Out,” as well as the national Broadway tour of “Fame.”

Tammy tells us how she ensures she is providing equal attention to both online and in-person students simultaneously:

“I always like to check in with my students—when we first log onto Zoom and with my in-person dancers—with a simple ‘Good morning, how is everyone?’ We usually start every class with a mindfulness pause and set our intention for the class. This allows us all to be present, in the moment, and connect as a class even if it is virtually.”
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2 months ago

>> Pointes from Professors
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I had the opportunity to watch Camryn in your class last year . You are such a gift to U of AZ...

Bella would love to take class with you again!

Mom and dad did something right You should be proud What a beauty. Inside and out

Christopher loves your classes! 🥰🤗👍

Congratulations to LILY CONG, who was the 2019/2020 Ralphie Spirit Award winner!

One way we celebrate our UArizona Dance values is the Ralphie Spirit Award, a recognition named in memory of dance major Ralph Romero. This peer selected award recognizes a dancer in our program who exemplifies these five qualities:
OPTIMISM of the “glass is always full” variety;
KINDNESS that manifests itself in daily acts of generosity;
ASPIRATION that is undaunted and filled with the lust for life;
A SENSE OF SELF that is unique and unapologetic; and
AN ATTITUDE of the noble variety

Former Dance Collective club president, Ally Hauke, wrote “Lily is a beautiful example of everything this award is. Her kindness spreads throughout the entire program….She has been an inspiring and gracious leader to not only her freshman class, but to the program as a whole! Thank you Lily for the love and positivity you've brought into the program this past year— we are so grateful, and you're appreciated by all of us!”
... See MoreSee Less

2 months ago

Congratulations to LILY CONG, who was the 2019/2020 Ralphie Spirit Award winner!

One way we celebrate our UArizona Dance values is the Ralphie Spirit Award, a recognition named in memory of dance major Ralph Romero. This peer selected award recognizes a dancer in our program who exemplifies these five qualities:
OPTIMISM of the “glass is always full” variety;
KINDNESS that manifests itself in daily acts of generosity;
ASPIRATION that is undaunted and filled with the lust for life;
A SENSE OF SELF that is unique and unapologetic; and
AN ATTITUDE of the noble variety

Former Dance Collective club president, Ally Hauke, wrote “Lily is a beautiful example of everything this award is. Her kindness spreads throughout the entire program….She has been an inspiring and gracious leader to not only her freshman class, but to the program as a whole! Thank you Lily for the love and positivity youve brought into the program this past year— we are so grateful, and youre appreciated by all of us!”
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Congratulations that's fabulous

Congratulations Lily

Congrats !!!! Such an honor !!!

CONGrats, Lil’ 💙❤️

Congratulations Lily!

Congratulations to you, Lily! 🎉❤️

Congratulations!! This is so awesome!!!

Congratulations, Lily!

Congratulations Lily!!! 🎉

This is so wonderful. I knew Ralph Romero and he had all of those attributes. So glad you guys are doing this still💜

Congratulations 🎉

Sooooo well deserved!! ❤️

Congrats 🎉🎈🎊

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  • Students
    • Welcome
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    • Events & Performances
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    • News & Announcements
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  • Support
    • Why Support UA Dance
    • Online Giving
    • Dance Partners
    • Name A Seat
  • About Us
    • Box Office
    • Facilities
    • Contact Us
    • Visit

All photos by Ed Flores featuring UA Dance Ensemble members unless otherwise noted.

School Of Dance

P.O. BOX 210093
1713 E University Blvd.
Ina Gittings Bldg, Rm 121
Tucson, AZ 85721-0093

Email: dance@cfa.arizona.edu

Phone: 520.621.4698

Fax: 520.621.6981


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College of Fine Arts

P.O. BOX 210004
1017 N Olive Rd.
Music Bldg, Rm 111
Tucson, AZ 85721-0004

Email: finearts@cfa.arizona.edu

Phone: 520.621.1302

Fax: 520.621.1307