/ Dance Department

Scholarship Auditions

Incoming first-year and transfer students are eligible to audition for a Distinguished Artist Award.

We welcome all dance students into our program. Prospective dance students are highly encouraged to audition via the on-line portal by, or before, the audition deadline.

Distinguished artist award in dance

Each year we give $48,000 to talented artists through the Distinguished Artist Award. Students who are awarded a Distinguished Artist Award in Dance are not required to major or minor in dance, but are required to maintain a GPA of 2.6, enroll in a minimum of two dance classes per semester and participate in at least one dance performance annually.

The scholarship is $3,000 per year (totaling $12,000 over the course of four years) per student. You MUST apply to Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø AND submit an audition application to be considered for this scholarship.

On-line audition application deadline: March 2, 11:59 p.m. Auditionees will be notified in mid-March.

Only students who apply will be considered for the Distinguished Artist Award Scholarship (DAA).

Please call the dance department for additional information: 616.395.7700.

Dance Day

Experience the dance department faculty, students and performances on our Dance Day,  February 28, 2025.

Dance Day Events
(open to juniors and seniors)

February 28, 2025 Schedule:

  • 8–8:30 a.m. — Check-in Dow Center
  • 8:30–10 a.m. — Master Class #1 Ballet or Tap 
  • 10:30–11 a.m. — Chapel (optional)
  • 11 a.m.–12 p.m. — Lunch with dance faculty and students in Dow 202/3
  • 12:10–1:30 p.m. — Master Class #2 Hip Hop or Modern
  • 1:30–3 p.m. — Master Class #3 Jazz or Improv
  • 3–4 p.m. — Informational meeting and dance student panel in Dow 202/3
  • 4–7:30 p.m. — Free time to explore Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø and downtown Holland
  • 7:30 p.m. — Dance 51 performance (complimentary tickets will be supplied at check-in if you selected these)

What to Wear
For females:

  • Ballet – skin toned, black, or pink tights, solid-colored leotard
  • Jazz, Modern and Tap – dance shorts or leggings, solid colored leotard
  • Shoes – ballet slippers, jazz shoes, tap shoes (highly recommended)
  • Hair – neat and off the face

For males:

  • Ballet – black tights, solid colored leotard, or fitted tank top
  • Jazz, Modern Tap – form-fitting dance shorts or pants, solid colored leotard or fitted tank top
  • Shoes – ballet slippers, jazz shoes, tap shoes (highly recommended)
  • Hair –neat and off the face
Audition Deadline

Video audition submission deadline is March 2, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. There will be no in-person auditions.

All auditioners will be notified by the middle of March 2025.

Information Required
  1. Head shot 
  2. Please supply one letter of recommendation (professional dance field preferred)
  3. A one-page essay addressing: What is it about the dance program at Hope that interests and excites you?
  4. A video (no more than 10 minutes) showcasing your training in the studio and performance. If you train in multiple techniques/dance forms, please showcase as many as you feel comfortable with. 
  5. A video of you answering the following questions:
    • What excites you about the Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø Department of Dance?
    • What personal strengths will you bring to the Department of Dance?
    • What is one area of improvement you would like to work on in your dance training?

Dance department dancer