Auditioning for the Texas A&M Dance Programs
All students seeking a degree or minor in the dance program must be admitted through an application and audition process administered by the Texas A&M dance faculty.
Prospective students are evaluated on their technical abilities in ballet and modern. Applicants are reviewed by a committee and accepted on a competitive basis.
Prospective students should apply to Texas A&M University as early as possible. All students must be accepted to the university and the Dance program to declare a major or minor in Dance.
Notification of audition results will be emailed within approximately two weeks after the audition (digital auditions may take longer).
Audition Opportunities
Get your application in early. Audition slots are limited for each audition date and are based on a first-come, first-served basis. Once an audition date is full, your application will be moved to the next available date.
If you are out of state or cannot attend any of our audition dates, you may submit a digital audition (more information below). If you cannot attend one of the audition dates and would prefer to audition in person please contact Carisa Armstrong for additional options.
Fall Live Audition
Oct. 20, 2023
The audition will be available for current high school seniors, transfer students or change-of-major students. The audition will consist of an abbreviated ballet and modern class, and you will not have to have anything prepared. The audition will take place in the Physical Education Activity Program Building in Room 207.
The audition application must be completed by Friday, Oct. 13. The audition application will collect all the necessary information required from auditioners including dance training, performance history and a letter of intent stating why you’re interested in our program.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. | Check-In (PEAP 207) |
| 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. | Ballet Audition Class |
| 10:45 – 10:50 a.m. | Break |
| 10:50 – 12:05 p.m. | Modern Audition Class |
| 12:05 – 12:15 p.m. | Interviews (if necessary) |
Registration Closed
Parking Information
Parking near the Physical Education Activity Program Building is available in Lot 100 c. This lot is on the corner of Penberthy Blvd and John Kimbrough Road. Parking can either be paid hourly via a kiosk on the corner of these roads, or a one-day visitor permit may be purchased for $10. These permits are available for purchase from the transportation website.
Day of Dance & Audition
Feb. 9, 2024
Students ages 15–23 who are interested in the Texas A&M University Dance Program will be able to come into the classroom for a typical day in the life of a dance major. Registered participants will take three classes (ballet, modern, and Pilates/wellness). T-shirts will be available for purchase. We try to coincide our Day of Dance Program with a performance, and if one is happening you will be able to purchase tickets. Please note that the Day of Dance is geared toward high school juniors and seniors who are interested in attending TAMU and majoring in Dance.
The cost for the Day of Dance is $50 ($65 value). Refunds will be processed up until 30 days before the event. Cancellations occurring within 30 days before the event will not be refunded.
We will be hosting one Day of Dance in Spring 2024 which can be used as an audition for high school seniors, transfer students or change-of-major students.
Day of Dance General Schedule
Parents will drop participants off at 9 a.m. at the Physical Education Activity Program building on the west side of campus (behind Reed Arena). Students will spend the day with faculty and current students, taking classes and learning about our program. The last class will end at 2:30 p.m. for participants, after which, Carisa Armstrong, academic program director, will talk in more detail about the program here at Texas A&M (parents welcome).
The first class begins at 9:30 a.m. For your audition to be complete, expect to stay for the entire day.
Meet in the Physical Education Activity Program Building (PEAP) Room 207. If you are visiting our building/campus for the first time, please allow enough time to find the room.
No late check-ins are accepted. Please bring snacks, the lunch break has been extended to allow you to leave for lunch if needed. A parent must accompany the minor if they leave for lunch.
Auditioning at Day of Dance
We are able to offer Day of Dance as an audition for any of the three degrees available within the Dance Program: BS in Dance Science major, choreography minor and dance performance minor. If you will be using Day of Dance as an audition, the audition application questions will be included in your registration for the event.
For more information, please contact our recruiter, Grae Robinson at graerobinson@tamu.edu.
Digital Auditions
Open Aug. 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024*
- Incoming freshmen must complete the online audition process by April 15, 2024. Transfer and change-of-major applicants must complete the online audition process by Oct. 15, 2023, for Spring 2024 admittance, and June 15, 2024, for Fall 2024 admittance.
Audition Process
Live Auditions
- If you’re registering for the October audition, make sure you submit your application by Oct. 13 at midnight.
- The October audition will consist of ballet and modern classes. Dancers do not need to prepare dance combinations to present to the adjudication committee.
- Dancers auditioning during the Day of Dance will be assessed during the classes throughout the day.
- Dancers may be asked to meet with Faculty following the audition if there are questions about their application.
Online Audition
- Audition online through GetAcceptd starting Aug. 1. The online audition has a built-in application and will ensure you upload all required materials.
Required Materials
- Dance resume focusing on training and performance
- Intent Essay: a statement about future goals in dance and why you are pursuing a degree in our program
Frequently Asked Questions
What is proper dance wear for the audition?
The body must be clearly visible in order for the instructor to make evaluations and give feedback.
Ballet Class:
- Female Identified – leotard, pink or skin-tone footed tights which must be worn under your leotard and inside your ballet shoes; pink/skin-tone ballet shoes with sewn elastic and drawstrings cut and tucked inside the shoe.
- Male Identified – black footed tights worn inside your ballet shoes, solid-colored tight-fitting t-shirt or leotard, dance belt; black ballet shoes
- Non-binary Identified – choice of either selection above or a combination of any of the above
- Long hair must be pulled back and attached to your head securely so you do not need to adjust it during class. Short hair should be pulled back with a headband and/or clips to clear the neck and face.
- No ballet skirts or other clothing to be worn over leotards without approval. Warm-up clothing must be fitted to the body.
- No undergarments (except sports bras) should be showing through your leotard and/or tights
Modern Class:
- Bare feet – no lyrical or other dance shoes, black footless tights, leotard or solid colored tight-fitting t-shirt/tank top, hair secured back
- No undergarments (except sports bras) should be showing through your leotard and/or tights
No dangling jewelry, hats, or chewing gum
Do I need to know if I am accepted into TAMU before I audition?
No, you do not need to know if you have been accepted into the university before you are allowed to audition. However, you need to be accepted into the dance program and the university before you begin classes.
What if I didn’t get into Texas A&M?
Don’t fret. There are many other options for admission into TAMU. With programs like Blinn Team, Gateway, and PSA, your dreams of being an Aggie Dance Program student are not over. In fact, with both Blinn Team and Gateway, you can begin your dance major classes in your first semester. Contact your college advisor or Carisa Armstrong for more information about how these programs can get you on your way to being a full-time Aggie Dance Student.
What is the audition like?
The audition consists of an abbreviated ballet and modern class. The ballet portion includes a barre and a few combinations in the center. The modern portion includes a few center combinations. There is also a chance that dancers will be asked to come in for an interview with the faculty, again it is not an indicator of acceptance/denial into the program, it is merely a chance for the faculty to ask questions they may have about application information.
Generally, how many students do you accept each year?
The freshman/first-year class is usually around 25-30 people.