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New Mexico State University

Program Admission

aAn application and audition are required for admission to the Dance Program at New Mexico State University (NMSU).


PLEASE NOTE: All students must officially apply and be accepted to NMSU prior to being admitted to the dance program. Students may audition to be considered for entrance into the dance program prior to official admission to NMSU. All dance majors and minors are evaluated yearly on the basis of grades, technical dance ability, and artistic ability. DISCLAIMER: Dancers not fulfilling standards will be placed on probation with further action leading to dismissal from the program.

 

Application process

  1. Contact dance office to inquire about the dance program.
  2. Applications may be obtained from the dance office, by going on-line, or from the student dance handbook.
  3. Complete application and send to the Director of the NMSU Dance Program.

 

Dance Audition

Scheduling a Dance Audition: Your application must be on file in the dance office prior to
scheduling your dance audition.

  1. Current students
    1. If you are currently a NMSU student and are enrolled in a dance technique class, inform your instructor that you want to audition for our program.
    2. Each semester there will be a date set for auditions, sign up at Dance Office.
    3. Prepare a 2-3 minute solo in the style of your choice.
  2. High School students or Transfer students
    1. Reserve a place for the audition date. (There are two audition dates during the school year, contact office or go on-line for audition dates)
    2. Prepare a 2-3 minute solo in the style of your choice.
    3. If it is impossible for you to audition during one of our audition dates, but you are planning to visit our campus at a different time, it is possible to make an individual appointment. This will require a two day visit. You will be asked to attend several dance classes and perform your solo which will be evaluated by the faculty.
    4. If it is impossible for you to visit our campus, we will accept an audition videotape or DVD. (See requirements)

 

Audition Classes

The audition class will be taught by NMSU dance faculty and will last approximately three hours. We do not expect you to be proficient in all dance styles. We will be looking for physical ability, body alignment, attitude, and personal artistry.
1. The class includes a brief ballet barre, several ballet center-floor combinations, a modern combination and a jazz combination.
2. If you are a tap, flamenco, ballet folklorico, or ballroom dancer please prepare a combination. You will present this after the audition class.
3. There will be a short break (30 minutes) for you to catch your
breath. Your solos will be presented following this break.
4. The audition will end with a brief question/answer period.

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Dress

1. Leotard and tights for ballet, jazz pants (optional), footless tights or unitard for modern.
2. Ballet shoes and jazz shoes. (modern will be executed barefoot)
3. Hair in a bun for ballet, pulled back from face for jazz and modern.
4. No loose fitting clothing will be allowed.

 

Audition Video Tape or DVD

  1. We would like to see your dancing ability throughout a range of dance styles; ballet, modern, jazz, tap, flamenco, ballet folklorico, etc.
  2. Plan your video selections to show us your ability. It is not required that you have training in all styles, just video tape the style(s) in which you are experienced.
    1. Section I: Dance Technique – Prepare 1.5 - 2 hrs, total, of selected class work, in as many styles as you would like to present. (i.e. Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Ballet Folklorico, Flamenco, Classical Spanish, Ballroom, Latin). The following minimums should be included, as appropriate to the specific style of technique:

      1. Adagio
      2. Turns
      3. Jumps/Leaps
      4. Floor work
      5. Allegro
      6. Foot work
      7. Lead / Follow
      8. Rhythm
      9. Tempo
      10. Balance
      11. Whole Body Integration
      12. Musicality
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    2. Section II: Dance performance - Prepare a 2-3 minute solo in the style of your choice.
  3. The videotape or DVD should show you from the front and side views. It should be close enough that we can see physical ability and artistic expression.
  4. Edit out any pauses.

 

Essay

Prepare a 2 - 3 page essay. Tell us about yourself, your training, your goals, and why you want to be a dancer. The essay should be typed, double-spaced, 12-pt font (Arial or Times New Roman), with 1-inch margins.

 

Letters of Recommendation

Recommendations from 2-3 dance teachers, general education teachers or employers who can comment on your dancing ability, your work habits, your personality and any other pertinent information must be directly submitted to the Dance Program Director at the following address:

NMSU Dance Program
P.O. Box 30001, MSC 3M
Las Cruces, NM 88003

 

Personal Interview

1. The final stage of the admission process is an interview with the Director of Dance.
2. Your interview will be scheduled after receiving your application/essay/letters of
recommendation and your dance audition (in person or by video/DVD).
3. Call the Dance Office to schedule interview.

 

Notification

Written notification of acceptance or rejection will occur within one month of interview.
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