• Deadlines

    Fall Application Portfolio Submission Early Action and Spring
    February 1, 2025 February 7, 2025 Not Available

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 your photo, dance resume, and non-refundable audition fee of $65. Students will then have access to register for an on campus audition.

Audition Instructions

All dance applications are required to submit the following items via their Admissions Portal prior to signing up for an in person audition. Please do not e-mail these materials to the Conservatory of Dance.

  • Dance Resume
  • Dance Photo; an 8x10 full body shot (a professional photo is not required)
  • One Artistic Letter of Recommendation (must be sent directly from the recommender to admissions@purchase.edu)

In-Person Auditions 

Once you have submitted your resume, photo, and audition fee, you will then have access to sign up for a live audition on one of the following dates: February 8th, February 14th, February 22nd, February 28th. Advanced registration is required to attend an audition. These live auditions will take place on campus at Purchase College, SUNY.

All auditions are scheduled online. Please do not call the Conservatory of Dance to schedule an audition.

International Applicants: Please contact The Conservatory of Dance at dance@purchase.edu if you are unable to schedule an in-person audition.

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 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.