/ Dance Department

Scholarship Auditions

Incoming first-year and transfer students are eligible to audition for a Distinguished Artist Award.

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 2, 11:59 p.m. Auditionees will be notified in mid-March.

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,  February 28, 2025.

Dance Day Events
(open to juniors and seniors)

February 28, 2025 Schedule:

  • 8–8:30 a.m. — Check-in Dow Center
  • 8:30–10 a.m. — Master Class #1 Ballet or Tap 
  • 10:30–11 a.m. — Chapel (optional)
  • 11 a.m.–12 p.m. — Lunch with dance faculty and students in Dow 202/3
  • 12:10–1:30 p.m. — Master Class #2 Hip Hop or Modern
  • 1:30–3 p.m. — Master Class #3 Jazz or Improv
  • 3–4 p.m. — Informational meeting and dance student panel in Dow 202/3
  • 4–7:30 p.m. — Free time to explore Hope College and downtown Holland
  • 7:30 p.m. — Dance 51 performance (complimentary tickets will be supplied at check-in if you selected these)

What to Wear
For females:

  • Ballet – skin toned, black, or pink tights, solid-colored leotard
  • Jazz, Modern and Tap – dance shorts or leggings, solid colored leotard
  • Shoes – ballet slippers, jazz shoes, tap shoes (highly recommended)
  • Hair – neat and off the face

For males:

  • Ballet – black tights, solid colored leotard, or fitted tank top
  • Jazz, Modern Tap – form-fitting dance shorts or pants, solid colored leotard or fitted tank top
  • Shoes – ballet slippers, jazz shoes, tap shoes (highly recommended)
  • Hair –neat and off the face
Audition Deadline

Video audition submission deadline is March 2, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. There will be no in-person auditions.

All auditioners will be notified by the middle of March 2025.

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?

Dance department dancer

Check out Practice and Performance Spaces

We practice alone and in groups, and perform in multiple theaters and open spaces across campus.

Hope CollegeDance Department

workP. 616.395.7700