The Juilliard School Dance Division offers a four-year conservatory program leading to either a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or an undergraduate Diploma. The training for all Dance students is based equally in classical ballet and modern dance techniques.
Please note: Double majors are very rare at Juilliard, due to the strenuous nature of the performance-based curriculum. It is only possible to double major if both majors are within Classical Music; it is not possible to combine divisions (for example, Dance and Music).
- The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Dance is a full four-year program of study and includes a Liberal Arts curriculum.
- The undergraduate Diploma in Dance is a full four-year program of study but does not include a Liberal Arts curriculum. Applicants who wish to apply for the Diploma option must have permission from the Office of Admissions to do so. Statistics and other disclosure information for non-degree diploma programs can be found here.
Please note: Double majors are very rare at Juilliard, due to the strenuous nature of the performance-based curriculum. It is only possible to double major if both majors are within Classical Music; it is not possible to combine divisions (for example, Dance and Music).
Eligibility for applicants in dance
- All applicants MUST have prior dance training. A minimum of three years experience with ballet and modern dance vocabulary is required, and dancers should currently be training for a minimum of 10 hours per week.
- All applicants must be a minimum of 16 years of age upon matriculation to The Juilliard School, and possess either a high school diploma or its equivalent (G.E.D.), or apply under the Early Admission program. See the Academic Requirements section for more information.
- All applicants must submit an application for admission by and attend a live audition as scheduled. There are no exceptions to the live audition requirement, and private auditions are not permitted under any circumstance.
- All applicants are permitted to apply and audition no more than two times to the Dance Division if in receipt of unfavorable results. Only one application and one audition per applicant per admissions cycle is permitted.
- Transfer Undergraduates should be aware that previous credits earned in dance courses will not be accepted. Up to 12 credits of Liberal Arts courses may be accepted at the discretion of the Office of the Registrar. Transfer students should be aware that the B.F.A. or Diploma in Dance is a mandatory four-year program.
Application: |
All applicants are required to submit an essay as a component of the
online application. Please see below for more information on the essay
requirement.
|
Essay
Juilliard’s Admissions Committee uses your essay to learn more about you as an individual, and gain a sense of who you are beyond your application, transcript and audition. Essays should be 1 - 2 pages, double-spaced, in a 12 point font. Your essay should be submitted through the online application. Please do not also submit a hard copy of your essay via post. Essay topics are:
Transfer applicants: The decision to transfer is a significant and often difficult one to make. Please explain when the idea of transferring first occurred to you and how that idea developed.
Current or Formerly enrolled Juilliard college students: Please explain your motivation for resuming your studies or applying to another major at The Juilliard School. Students may choose to address academic, artistic, or professional goals that they believe could be accomplished in the Juilliard community.
All other Bachelor of Fine Arts and Diploma applicants: Choose one of the following essay topics:
Transfer applicants: The decision to transfer is a significant and often difficult one to make. Please explain when the idea of transferring first occurred to you and how that idea developed.
Current or Formerly enrolled Juilliard college students: Please explain your motivation for resuming your studies or applying to another major at The Juilliard School. Students may choose to address academic, artistic, or professional goals that they believe could be accomplished in the Juilliard community.
All other Bachelor of Fine Arts and Diploma applicants: Choose one of the following essay topics:
- The painter Piet Mondrian stated, “The position of the artist is humble. He is essentially a channel.” Do you believe that artists are conduits for art, or its creators? Please explain why, with examples where possible.
- If you had the opportunity to adapt a work of visual art or literature to your own artistic medium, what would you choose? Why? What would your adaptation be like?
Application Fee and Waiver Requirements
The application fee of $80 is nonrefundable. Payment by credit card is preferred and is only available for applications submitted online. Check or money order payments must be made payable to The Juilliard School. All checks must be drawn on a U.S. bank. If paying by check or money order, payment must be RECEIVED by December 15, 2014, or it will be considered “late” and may not be accepted. Applications are not considered “complete” until payment or fee waiver documentation has been received.
Fee waivers are available only for eligible high school seniors. Eligible applicants include those who can demonstrate significant financial need by providing one of the following no later than December 15:
Fee waivers are available only for eligible high school seniors. Eligible applicants include those who can demonstrate significant financial need by providing one of the following no later than December 15:
- An official College Board fee waiver form (available through high school guidance offices) signed by a high school guidance counselor;
- An official SAT fee waiver form signed by a high school guidance counselor;
- A letter on school stationery from a college/guidance counselor stating that the applicant qualifies for the free lunch program;
- If the applicant can be claimed as a dependent by a family member or guardian, a personal letter describing the family's financial situation; or
- If the applicant is independent, copies of 2013 tax forms OR a personal letter describing her or his financial situation.
Auditions
-Applicants for the Dance Division must register for and attend one of the following scheduled live auditions. Dancers who are pre-screened will not schedule an audition until they receive notification that they have passed pre-screening.
-All details, including the exact location of the audition, will be available when registering for the audition (after the application has been submitted). Once The Juilliard School receives the submitted application (including the application fee or fee waiver documentation), the applicant will be e-mailed within 72 business hours with instructions on how to self-schedule an audition via an online system. Auditions may not be scheduled until the completed application, essay, and application fee or fee waiver documentation are received by The Juilliard School. Auditions are available for registration on a first-come, first-served basis, and some auditions may fill to capacity before the application deadline. Therefore, if an applicant requires an audition in a particular city or on a particular date, it is recommended that the application be submitted well before the deadline.
-All details, including the exact location of the audition, will be available when registering for the audition (after the application has been submitted). Once The Juilliard School receives the submitted application (including the application fee or fee waiver documentation), the applicant will be e-mailed within 72 business hours with instructions on how to self-schedule an audition via an online system. Auditions may not be scheduled until the completed application, essay, and application fee or fee waiver documentation are received by The Juilliard School. Auditions are available for registration on a first-come, first-served basis, and some auditions may fill to capacity before the application deadline. Therefore, if an applicant requires an audition in a particular city or on a particular date, it is recommended that the application be submitted well before the deadline.
Audition Process
The entrance audition consists of five components. In order to continue to the next audition component, a dancer must be called back. Callback criteria includes demonstration of significant prior dance training that has offered an understanding of both technical dance language and body alignment; a high level of strength and stamina; and the physical and artistic potential for a career in dance.
All five audition components will take place on the same day, and candidates should be prepared to spend a full day at the audition in the event they are called back to the final component. Dancers may wish to bring lunch or a snack to the audition, as breaks between sections will not be long enough to leave the audition site. Also, please note that family and friends will not be permitted to observe the audition, and depending on the set-up of the audition site, may not be able to have contact with the applicant until their audition is finished.
Please note that there is no quota of dancers to be called back on each audition day, nor is there a quota of dancers to be accepted from each audition city. All dancers are given equal consideration, regardless of the audition date or city. Dancers are encouraged to choose the audition city and/or date that is most convenient.
Ballet Technique Class
The audition begins with a ballet class. Required dress for the ballet class is black leotard, pink tights, and ballet shoes for women; and fitted white t-shirt, black tights, white socks, and ballet shoes for men. Pointe shoes are not needed. A typical ballet audition class will include barre work (pliés, tendus, dégagés, rond de jambe, etc.) as well as center work (adagio, petit allegro/small jumps, grand allegro/big jumps, etc.). It is important to note that any dancer who does not appear to have adequate dance training at the audition may be asked to leave during the ballet class and before the first callback for his or her own safety, as well as the safety of other dancers at the audition. Applicants who demonstrate a strong technical base during this portion of the audition may be called back for the modern class.
Modern Technique Class
If called back, dancers will partake in a modern dance class. For the modern dance section, candidates must be barefoot. The modern portion of the audition includes a short center warm-up using the rounding and arching of the torso. Phrases that travel across the floor focus on moving rigorously through space with attention to rhythm, changes of direction, and level changes.
Solo Performance
Dancers who are called back will be asked to perform one solo of their choosing, from repertory or original choreography, not to exceed two minutes in length. The purpose of the solo is to show the dancer as a performer, and should be chosen to show the candidate’s range as well as his/her ability to project. Each applicant is advised to provide a CD recording with accompaniment for the solo, and we recommend a backup CD or iPod should one be needed. Please be prepared to tell the faculty the name of the solo (if it has a name), the choreographer, and the composer. Some applicants will then be called back based on the faculty review of solos.
Coaching
Dancers who are called back will be taught and coached on a brief modern repertory sequence. The faculty is interested in how quickly the dancer picks up choreography, how s/he responds to and incorporate corrections, and how s/he functions as a member of an ensemble in a rehearsal-like setting.
Interview
Based on the faculty’s evaluation of both callback sessions, a select group of applicants may be asked to stay for an interview. The purpose of the interview is to gain insight into the student’s interests outside of the dance studio, his/her personal and professional goals, and to help assess whether the student is intellectually and emotionally ready to enter a rigorous conservatory environment. Students not invited to the interview may reasonably conclude that they are no longer under serious consideration for admission.
All five audition components will take place on the same day, and candidates should be prepared to spend a full day at the audition in the event they are called back to the final component. Dancers may wish to bring lunch or a snack to the audition, as breaks between sections will not be long enough to leave the audition site. Also, please note that family and friends will not be permitted to observe the audition, and depending on the set-up of the audition site, may not be able to have contact with the applicant until their audition is finished.
Please note that there is no quota of dancers to be called back on each audition day, nor is there a quota of dancers to be accepted from each audition city. All dancers are given equal consideration, regardless of the audition date or city. Dancers are encouraged to choose the audition city and/or date that is most convenient.
Ballet Technique Class
The audition begins with a ballet class. Required dress for the ballet class is black leotard, pink tights, and ballet shoes for women; and fitted white t-shirt, black tights, white socks, and ballet shoes for men. Pointe shoes are not needed. A typical ballet audition class will include barre work (pliés, tendus, dégagés, rond de jambe, etc.) as well as center work (adagio, petit allegro/small jumps, grand allegro/big jumps, etc.). It is important to note that any dancer who does not appear to have adequate dance training at the audition may be asked to leave during the ballet class and before the first callback for his or her own safety, as well as the safety of other dancers at the audition. Applicants who demonstrate a strong technical base during this portion of the audition may be called back for the modern class.
Modern Technique Class
If called back, dancers will partake in a modern dance class. For the modern dance section, candidates must be barefoot. The modern portion of the audition includes a short center warm-up using the rounding and arching of the torso. Phrases that travel across the floor focus on moving rigorously through space with attention to rhythm, changes of direction, and level changes.
Solo Performance
Dancers who are called back will be asked to perform one solo of their choosing, from repertory or original choreography, not to exceed two minutes in length. The purpose of the solo is to show the dancer as a performer, and should be chosen to show the candidate’s range as well as his/her ability to project. Each applicant is advised to provide a CD recording with accompaniment for the solo, and we recommend a backup CD or iPod should one be needed. Please be prepared to tell the faculty the name of the solo (if it has a name), the choreographer, and the composer. Some applicants will then be called back based on the faculty review of solos.
Coaching
Dancers who are called back will be taught and coached on a brief modern repertory sequence. The faculty is interested in how quickly the dancer picks up choreography, how s/he responds to and incorporate corrections, and how s/he functions as a member of an ensemble in a rehearsal-like setting.
Interview
Based on the faculty’s evaluation of both callback sessions, a select group of applicants may be asked to stay for an interview. The purpose of the interview is to gain insight into the student’s interests outside of the dance studio, his/her personal and professional goals, and to help assess whether the student is intellectually and emotionally ready to enter a rigorous conservatory environment. Students not invited to the interview may reasonably conclude that they are no longer under serious consideration for admission.