About Your Audition
All applicants planning to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Dance must audition. Students planning to enhance another degree with a minor in dance are not required to audition.
Auditions for the Betsy Blackmon Dance Program are accepted by video only. We partner with Acceptd to host our application and video audition submissions. Please visit our application site to learn more and begin the application process. There is a nominal, non-refundable application fee charged by Acceptd.
All applicants must simultaneously apply to the University of South Carolina Office of Undergraduate Admissions for academic acceptance. Undergraduate Admissions is a separate process from the dance program application and audition. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions office directly for their requirements.
We offer two application deadlines for admission into the Betsy Blackmon Dance Program. You may apply during either application period.
Application deadlines are:
November 1, 2024
February 15, 2025
You will receive notification of acceptance and scholarship within 5 weeks of the application deadline.
All applications must upload the following through our Acceptd application site:
Uploads
1. Recording of ballet class: Exercises should be short and clearly presented, total length should not exceed 45 minutes. You should be the only dancer in the frame and please wear form-fitting dance attire. Please wear technique shoes for the entirety of class and include the following exercises:
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- Ballet Barre (one side only, all recorded from the side): Plié, Tendu from 5th, Dégagé from 5th, Rond de Jambe, Grand Battement
- Center (both sides, recorded from the front): Adagio, Turn/Waltz, Petit Allegro, Grand Allegro
- OPTIONAL pointe variation or pointe exercises of your choice. Pointe is not required for acceptance into the dance program.
2. Recording of a Jazz, Modern, OR Contemporary solo of your choice: Solos should be 1.5 to 3 minutes in length and must be recorded from the front in a dance studio. Stage performances will not be accepted!
3. One current headshot
4. Current resume
5. DANCE EDUCATION APPLICANTS ONLY: Additional 3–5-minute video answering these questions:
- Describe why you would like to pursue teaching dance.
- What age group(s) are you interested in teaching? Why?
- If you have taught before, what have you learned from these experiences?
- What aspects of the dance education concentration interest you, and/or how to you believe it will prepare you for your future goals?
- Are you aware that the Dance Education concentration requires students to participate
in practicum hours and a full semester of student teaching in a K-12 classroom setting?
Planning your visit to campus
The USC Visitor Center is great way to learn about accommodations, find maps and other information about our campus and Columbia. Other offices you might want to visit while on campus (if time allows) are the Financial Aid Office (803-777-8134) and the Admissions Office (803-777-7700). Call them to make appointments and for campus tours. Please note that these offices may not be open over the weekend.