Shelly (Michelle) Cochrane, BFA 2018.
Strong dance technique, intensive theory, guest artist residencies, and abundant performance opportunities are the trademarks of a program in which you'll test your boundaries.
Rigorous conservatory training combined with a liberal arts education provides the foundation for a professional career as a performer, teacher, creative artist, administrator, or for graduate studies.
Core classes include modern dance, ballet, anatomy and kinesiology for dancers, somatic studies, dance history, teaching, theater production, choreography, and Senior Synthesis.
Enrich your dance portfolio with electives in African and Afro-Cuban, jazz, and tap.
How to Apply
Admission into the dance program is a multistep process. Students wishing to pursue a Dance BA or Dance BFA must follow the steps below.
Apply to the university. Your application to the university must be on file prior to your audition. The early action and academic scholarship application deadline is November 1,the regular decision application deadline is January 15, and the transfer application priority deadline is March 1.
Schedule an audition for the School of Dance. Complete the Audition Registration Form and select a date (see options below). Applicants will receive a letter confirming the audition date. The audition consists of a two-hour technique class beginning with a ballet barre, followed by modern center work and repertoire. Your audition is observed, recorded and evaluated by the dance faculty.
Applicants will be mailed audition results within two weeks following their audition. Responses will be: accept; wait list; or, deny. Applicants may audition only once in an academic year. The status of applicants placed on the program’s wait list will be reviewed after February 1.
Applicants should prepare a two-minute solo to be submitted one week prior to the audition. Send a secure link to dance@gmu.edu. We recommend a contemporary solo with the choreographer identified.
Audition Information
Auditions for Fall 2020 are completed. Please check back in June for the audition dates for students entering in 2021.
To schedule for your audition, complete the Audition Registration Form.
Although we believe that applicants present themselves most effectively in person, applicants who live beyond a 500-mile radius of George Mason University may request a video audition. Contact the School of Dance Office at dance@gmu.edu for further information about this option.
Degree Programs and Minor
The BFA in Dance is a performance-oriented modern dance program designed to prepare students professionally as performers, choreographers, educators and active leaders in the dance community. Students in this program demonstrate technical mastery and devote their college curriculum to a comprehensive dance curriculum that includes daily intensive training in modern and ballet.
The BA degree is a 120-credit general program of dance study within a liberal arts degree framework. The curriculum includes technical training in modern dance and ballet and opportunities to study other dance genres. Students acquire a basic knowledge of dance composition and production. Graduates are active members of the dance community and become advocates for dance.
Auditions are not required for students wishing to pursue a minor in Dance Appreciation. For more information, please visit the Dance Appreciation Minor page in the university catalog.
Please contact School of Dance (dance@gmu.edu) to declare a minor.
The minor in World Dance (21 credits) develops knowledge and appreciation of the vast diaspora of the philosophies, history, and cultural diversity of world dance forms.
Contact us
Email us or call us: 703-993-1114. Visit us at the deLaski Performing Arts Building, A300, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030.
