Scholarship Auditions

We welcome all dance students into our program. Prospective dance majors are required to audition via the on-line portal before, or by, the audition deadline. Dance minors are not required to audition for the program. 

Dance Scholarships — Distinguished Artist Awards in Dance

Each year we give $48,000 to talented artists through the Distinguished Artist Award. Students who are awarded a Distinguished Artist Award in Dance are not required to major or minor in dance, but are required to

• Maintain a GPA of 2.6
• Enroll in a minimum of two dance classes per semester
• Participate in at least one dance performance annually

The scholarship is $3,000 per year (totaling $12,000 over the course of four years) per student. You must apply to Hope College and submit an audition application to be considered for this scholarship. Intended dance majors will automatically be considered for a scholarship via their online audition application. Intended dance minors who wish to be considered for a dance scholarship must audition via the online portal. 

Online Dance Scholarship Application Deadline: February 22, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Scholarship applicants will be notified in mid-March.

Dance Major Auditions

The on-line audition portal will remain open until April 28, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Auditionees will be informed of their acceptance as a dance major on a rolling basis. However, in order to be considered for a dance scholarship, your audition application must be submitted by the above on-line dance scholarship audition deadline.

Audition for a Dance Major and/or for a DAA Dance Scholarship

Only students who apply will be considered for the Distinguished Artist Award Scholarship (DAA).

Please call the Dance Department for additional information at 616.395.7700.

Dance Day

Experience the dance department faculty, students and performances on our Dance Day,  February 19, 2027.

Register for Dance Day

Dance Day Events
(open to juniors and seniors)

February 19, 2027 Schedule:

• 7:30–8:15 a.m. — Check-in – Jim & Eileen Heeringa Dance Studio/DeWitt Theatre Lobby
• 8:30–10 a.m. — Master Class #1 - Ballet or Tap
  • 8:30–9:30 a.m. — Admissions and Financial Aid Meeting (Parents) – DeWitt Theatre
• 10:15–11:15 a.m. — Informational Meeting and Student Panel –  DeWitt Theatre
• 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. — Lunch with dance faculty and students – Maas Auditorium/Phelps Dining
• 1–2:30 p.m. — Master Class #2 – Hip Hop or Modern
  • 1–2 p.m. — Dance Alumni Parent Panel (Parents) – Boerigter Center Classroom
• 2:45–4:15 p.m. — Master Class #3 –  Jazz or Improvisation
  • 2:30–3:30 p.m. - Career Preparation at Hope College (Parents) - Boerigter Center Classroom
• 4:30–7:30 p.m. — Free time to explore Hope College and downtown Holland
• 7:30 p.m. — Dance 53 performance – DeWitt Theatre (complimentary tickets will be supplied at morning check-in)

Please note that space is available all day for parents and families of Dance Day to relax or work.

What to Wear
For females:

• Ballet – skin toned, black, or pink tights, solid-colored leotard
• Jazz & Modern – dance shorts or leggings, solid colored leotard
• Tap & Hip Hop – comfortable clothing that you can easily move in
• Shoes – ballet slippers, jazz shoes, tap shoes (highly recommended), sneakers/tennis shoes
• Hair – neat and off the face

For males:

• Ballet – black tights, solid colored leotard, or fitted tank top
• Jazz & Modern – form-fitting dance shorts or pants, solid colored leotard or fitted tank top
• Tap & Hip Hop – comfortable clothing that you can easily move in
• Shoes – ballet slippers, jazz shoes, tap shoes (highly recommended), sneakers/tennis shoes
• Hair –neat and off the face

Dance Major and Dance Scholarship Audition Deadlines

The dance scholarship online audition deadline is February 22, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. All dance scholarship applicants will be informed by mid-March.

The dance major online audition portal will remain open until April 28, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Auditionees will be informed of their acceptance as a dance major on a rolling basis. However, in order to be considered for a dance scholarship, your audition application must be submitted by the above online dance scholarship audition deadline.

Information Required

1. Head shot 
2. Please supply one letter of recommendation (professional dance field preferred)
3. A one-page essay addressing: What is it about the dance program at Hope that interests and excites you?
4. A video (no more than 10 minutes) showcasing your training in the studio and performance. If you train in multiple techniques/dance forms, please showcase as many as you feel comfortable with.
5. A video of you answering the following questions:
   • What excites you about the Hope College Department of Dance?
   • What personal strengths will you bring to the Department of Dance?
   • What is one area of improvement you would like to work on in your dance training?