Frequently Asked Questions

School of Dance students are eligible for an array of scholarship offered through the University and the College of Fine Arts. In addition, the School of Dance offers numerous scholarships made possible by generous, ongoing donations. Endowed scholarships are created through significant gifts resulting in ongoing impact, and the School of Dance boasts nearly two dozen endowed scholarships. Scholarships are available for incoming freshman and transfer students, as well as continuing students. Learn more about scholarship deadlines and applications here.

Formal acceptance into the School of Dance (for incoming freshman majors, minors, and transfer students) is contingent on completion of two applications: (1) the University of Utah Admissions Application and (2) the School of Dance Audition Application. Students must be admitted by the University of Utah Office of Admissions and pass a School of Dance audition. Deadlines vary annually. The deadline to apply to the University of Utah Office of Admissions can be found here. The deadline to audition for the University of Utah School of Dance can be found here.

Yes! Thes School of Dance offers tours of the Marriott Center for Dance on the Friday prior to on-campus auditions. Exact times are determined and posted online close to audition dates and tour information will be emailed to all students registered to audition. If you are visiting Salt Lake City are unavailable to take a scheduled tour, you can contact one of our Recruitment Directors to inquire about the possibility of scheduling an individual tour of the Marriott Center for Dance. We kindly ask that you schedule these well in advance. More information about tours can be found here.

Yes. Acceptance into the School of Dance (for incoming freshman majors, minors, and transfer students) is contingent on completion of two applications: (1) the University of Utah Admissions Application and (2) the School of Dance Audition Application. Students must be admitted by the University of Utah Office of Admissions and pass a School of Dance audition. More information about admissions and auditions can be found here.

The University of Utah School of Dance typically holds auditions twice per year (usually one in October/November and one in February) at the Marriott Center for Dance on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City, Utah. Additional auditions may be scheduled at alternate locations, depending on opportunities and scheduling. Video auditions are accepted throughout the year. Audition dates, times, locations, and additional details can be found here.

No, students are not expected to complete any non-major courses prior to auditioning. For students interested in pursuing a different major at the University of Utah, but who would still like to dance, we offer some non-majors courses available to all students. Additional information about non-majors courses can be found here.

Yes! One of the many things that makes the University of Utah School of Dance unique is that dance students may choose to pursue a second major alongside a degree in Ballet, Contemporary Dance, or Dance Teaching. From Business and Kinesiology to Education and English, many of our students pursue a second area of study. Additional information about double majoring can be found here. 

Yes! The University of Utah School of Dance offers a Dance Minor. Note that the minor requires an audition for admission. Additional information can be found here.

We look for dancers with experience, skill, artistry, creativity, and intellect – those who are performers, creators, and critical thinkers. Students wishing to pursue the Ballet BFA enter the degree after many years of ballet training and are serious about deepening their skill and understanding of ballet technique. Female-identifying Ballet majors are expected to demonstrate advanced pointe work. Contemporary BFA students enter the degree with creative curiosity and an interest in dance-making.

The University of Utah School of Dance is housed in the 64,000 square foot Alice Sheets Marriott Center for Dance (MCD), a beautiful and outstanding facility designed and constructed specifically for dance. The building features a 333-seat dance theater, six large dance studios, one smaller dance rehearsal space, one small studio for faculty use, two academic classrooms, a student lounge, two large dressing/locker rooms, a quick-change room, an audiovisual lab for video and sound production, an athletic training room (dance clinic), a recently renovated cross-training room, a faculty conference room and kitchen, suites of administrative and faculty offices on two floors, costume and scenery shops, and a sky deck with views of the valley. The dance studios are full of natural light, with high ceilings and sprung Harlequin flooring, equipped with mirrors, ballet barres, pianos, and updated audio/visual equipment. Additional information about School of Dance facilities can be found here.

The School of Dance is committed to the safety and wellness of all dancers at the University of Utah. Students have free access to the Dance Clinic in the Marriott Center for Dance, which includes in-building consultations with our on-site athletic trainer and use of the recently renovated cross-training space for wellness/strength programs and/or rehabilitation. Students also have access to on-campus consultations with mental health professionals and dieticians/nutritionists. See here for more information related to the wellness team and services they provide. University of Utah Health and other departments on campus also offer various sports medicine and nutrition support.

Content regarding health and injury prevention is integrated throughout the curriculum, including all technique and movement courses but especially in the Somatics, body work, and anatomy courses. In anatomy courses, students are provided specific instruction on this topic along with a professional full-body assessment. First aid supplies, ice, and sanitation supplies are available to all students. To support injured student, the School also may support curricular exceptions on a case-by-case basis to keep students on track toward degree completion.

The University of Utah School of Dance has numerous student organizations that help to build a strong community amongst dance majors. Many student organizations travel nationally or internationally to participate in dance competitions, performances, or enrichment programs. Additional information about student organizations can be found here.

The University of Utah School of Dance has its own production spaces (the 330-seat Hayes Christensen Theater and Black Box/Studio 240) supported by an outstanding production staff (Production Director, Technical Director, Stage Manager, and fully staffed costume shop. The School produces an average of six fully produced performances in the Hayes-Christensen Theater each year, providing dance majors substantial performance opportunities through a variety of work by renowned guest artists, faculty members, and graduate students. Numerous student-driven performances including a senior concert and more informal presentations by student organizations also provide opportunities for students to perform and/or choreograph. Further, collaborations between other campus entities (for exmample, the School of Music), professional dance companies, and local professionals in the Salt Lake community, namely artists from Ballet West, Repertory Dance Theatre, and Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company occur regularly.

Yes! The Dance Teaching BFA at the University of Utah is a four-year, professional degree that comes with teaching licensure, fully preparing and certifying students to teach dance in K-12 public schools as well as other settings. This degree prepares elementary, junior high, middle school, and high school dance educators. K-12 dance teaching requires both in-depth knowledge of subject matter (dance) and skill in applying educational concepts and principles that are developmentally appropriate. Students interested in pursuing the Dance Teaching BFA can learn more here.

The University of Utah School of Dance hosts multiple summer programs annually, with offerings varying from year-to-year. Of note, Utah Ballet Summer Intensive and Dance West Fest are incredibly popular, drawing students from across the country. Dance majors can receive credit for participating in these events, and many dance majors also elect take General Education courses over the summer since UU summer tuition is the in-state rate. For School of Dance Summer programs, see the “Events” section on our website: https://www.dance.utah.edu/.

Yes. Currently matriculated School of Dance majors who are offered professional performance contracts may be eligible for the SOD Professional Track. The Professional Track is by application only and must be approved the SOD Director (or delegate). Once accepted into the Professional Track, students may be permitted to receive credit for professional work by registering for “Professional” courses. Acceptance into the Professional Track is good for one academic year. Students will be required to re-apply for the Professional Track each academic year. More information about the Professional Track can be found here. Note that the Professional Track still requires some on-campus coursework; not all required coursework may be completed through the Professional Track.

The University of Utah and the College of Fine Arts offer a range of internship opportunities. Learn more here.

While student groups travel nationally and internationally on a regular basis, there are not currently formalized learning abroad opportunities offered through the School of Dance. However, dance majors may participate in other University-lead learning abroad opportunities. Learn more here.

The University of Utah School of Dance celebrates nine decades of successful alumni who have made significant contributions to dance, the arts, and beyond since they graduated from our institution. Our alumni have pursued a range of career paths, working as performers, choreographers, artistic directors, teachers, administrators, and arts advocates, among others. Learn more about our alumni here.

Students are encouraged to engage with the spectrum of arts offerings at UU, and some pursue second majors or minors in other art forms. The School of Dance often collaborates with the School of Music, with dancers performing in opera or orchestra performances and/or musicians performing live for dance concerts. Outside of the University of Utah, collaborations between professional dance companies and local artists in the Salt Lake community occur regularly.

Yes! The University of Utah School of Dance brings in nationally and internationally renowned guest artists every year for teaching, masterclasses, choreographic works, artists talks, lectures, and other types of opportunities. See the complete list of guest artists here.

In the University of Utah School of Dance, all majors receive career preparation embedded in the curriculum and through a range of professional experiences curated to socialize our majors to the profession – from industry standard season auditions to working with guest artists and professional companies. Across a student’s academic career, they will engage with a host of working professionals and hiring entities through collaborations with entities such as UtahPresents and Disney Live Entertainment. Alongside mentoring from individual faculty, we also facilitate student connections with U Career Success, Career Coaches, and working alumni. Additionally, the College of Fine Arts ArtsForce program provides students opportunities to network with professionals at local arts organizations, learn about arts-related internship and career opportunities, and expand their career-readiness knowledge.