Scholarship Auditions

We welcome all dance students into our program. Prospective dance students are highly encouraged to audition via the on-line portal by, or before, the audition deadline.

Distinguished artist award 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 and 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.

On-line audition application deadline: March 9, 11:59 p.m. Auditionees will be notified in mid-March.

Apply for the DAA in Dance

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

Please call the dance department for additional information: 616.395.7700.

Dance Day

Experience the dance department faculty, students and performances on our Dance Day,  March 6, 2026.

Register for Dance Day

Dance Day Events
(open to juniors and seniors)

March 6, 2026 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 Hall
• 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
• 4:30–7:30 p.m. — Free time to explore Hope College and downtown Holland
• 7:30 p.m. — Dance 52 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

Audition Deadline

Video audition submission deadline is March 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. There will be no in-person auditions.

All auditioners will be notified by the middle of March 2026.

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?