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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.

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.

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?