Degree. B.F.A.
Ballet majors are trained for professional performing and
teaching careers through daily ballet technique classes and
a variety of courses designed especially for ballet majors
that include pointe, men’s classes, character dance,
partnering, ballet history, choreography, repertoire, acting
for dancers, music, kinesiology, ballet fitness and care of
injuries, dance fitness and conditioning, dance production
and lighting, jazz and tap.
The program is housed in the Alice Sheets Marriott Center
for Dance, a beautifully designed and exceptionally
functional residence for dance.
Performance Opportunities: Utah Ballet is the
resident performing company of the Ballet Department. It
consists of 20 or more dancers selected by an audition of
new and continuing students who are awarded scholarships if
they meet the academic requirements. The Company rehearses
repertoire daily, performs two concert seasons each year on
campus, and may tour to cities in the Intermountain West and
abroad when opportunities arise. Guest choreographers are
regularly commissioned to set works on the Company to
broaden the dancers’ performance experiences.
Ballet Ensemble, featuring choreography by faculty and
guests provides another performance opportunity for Ballet
majors who are selected by audition. Ballet Showcase,
presented twice each year, provides students the opportunity
for choreographic experimentation, and features original
choreography by students and qualified choreographers
selected by the artistic advisor. Dancers are invited to
participate by student choreographers who are responsible
for all aspects of the production.
Character Dance Ensemble (CDE) consists of ballet majors
who are chosen by the artistic director. A large number of
performances take place on and off campus, and serve as the
Department’s primary outreach resource. CDE members have
opportunities to travel abroad each year, and are awarded
scholarships if academic requirements are met.
The department also provides ballet study for non-majors
and develops general appreciation for ballet as an art form
through foundation and integration courses which fulfill
general education requirements.
Additional Sources of Information: Brochures,
applications, instructions for video or in-person auditions,
and departmental scholarship information are available
through the department office, and may also be found on the
website at: www.ballet.utah.edu. The Department of Ballet
also publishes a yearly on-line updated student handbook for
undergraduate students containing four-year course
schedules, graduation requirements for each undergraduate
emphasis, departmental policies and procedures, and student
advising information.
Undergraduate Programs: The Department of Ballet
offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in the following
emphases:
Performance Emphasis: Students are prepared for
performing careers in ballet, and character dance. There are
courses in a variety of dance styles, two levels of
partnering classes, and many opportunities to perform and
choreograph. A course in the preparation of individual
resumes for audition purposes is also offered.
Teaching Emphasis: The Teaching Emphasis Program
provides a valid and unique course of study for dance
teacher preparation and fosters high-quality teaching as a
profession. Students in this emphasis are regarded as
pre-majors until they have been judged to have the aptitude
and ability to teach ballet and one other dance style
approved by the faculty. The decision to allow or invite a
student to major in this area is made no later than the end
of the sophomore year.
Character Dance Emphasis: This emphasis offers students
more varied performance and production opportunities.
Membership in Character Dance Ensemble plus three years of
character dance are required. Please contact the department
for information.
Admission to the Major: Students are officially
accepted as pre-majors after the prospective student has
successfully passed a Ballet Department audition, and the
Department has been notified of his/her admission to the
University.
Freshman Admissions: Students applying and
entering as freshmen must submit a departmental application
and two photographs in ballet attire in required poses two
weeks before the in-person audition date. Prospective
students may mail a videotape if distance is prohibitive to
attend the in-person audition. Since the program is
intensive, students are advised to have at least six years
of continuous and concentrated study in ballet prior to
enrolling in the department.
Transfer Students Admissions: Transfer students
must submit a copy of their transcripts, audition in person
or videotape, and must qualify for Ballet Technique 3290 or
above based on their audition. Transfer students may
graduate from the Ballet Department only if they fulfill all
requirements and spend a minimum of three full years in
residence at the University of Utah.
Placement Classes: All students entering the
program are required to attend a placement class held
immediately prior to the beginning of Fall Semester.
Students will be assigned to the appropriate ballet
technique class according to the level of individual
accomplishment.
Pre-major Probationary Period: All ballet
students are designated pre-majors upon entrance, signifying
probationary status. Full ballet major status is achieved by
being promoted into an upper-division technique level (BALLE
3290 or above) by their sophomore year.
Exams: A practicum examination is held at the end
of the academic year, at which time faculty evaluate and
determine retention and promotion of each student.
Scholarships: Utah Ballet and Character Dance
Ensemble members who maintain the minimum grade point
average are granted special departmental scholarships on a
semester basis. For further scholarship information, please
contact the Department of Ballet or go to our website: www.ballet.utah.edu.
Requirements for the Major: B.F.A. Please refer
to the on-line catalog for updated information.
Degrees. M.F.A.
Graduate Adviser: Richard Wacko, 206 MCD.
Admission to Candidacy. Applicants must audition
in person or by videotape. The application deadline is April
1 for fall semester.
Degree Requirements. The M.F.A. degrees require a
minimum two-year residency in which the candidate must
complete 60 credit hours. Please refer to the on-line
catalog for updated information.
Financial Aid and Scholarships. Departmental
scholarships are available to graduate students. A ballet
technique audition is required of all candidates and may be
done by videotape. The teaching/choreography emphasis
requires submission of a videotape of choreographic works.
Technique and criteria for application, are the same as
those required for the undergraduate students. A limited
number of Teaching Assistantships which include tuition
waivers and hourly stipends for teaching assignments and
other duties are also available to second year graduate
students. Work-study is an option for students who meet the
work-study application deadline in January.
Pre-University Major Programs: The Ballet
Department offers the following two programs for high school
students that provide opportunities for ballet training and
study at the University:
Early Admission: High school seniors with
outstanding scholastic records may apply for early admission
to the University. Students so designated register as fully
matriculated freshman students even though they have not
received their high school diplomas. These students must
successfully pass a Ballet Department audition in person to
be placed in ballet major studio courses.
High School University Student Status: Students
attending an accredited high school who wish to participate
in ballet technique classes at the University of Utah
concurrently, must be at least high school sophomores 15
years of age or older. Sophomores must have a minimum 3.7
GPA; Juniors, a 3.5 GPA; and Seniors, a 3.2 GPA. This
opportunity is provided for the exceptionally gifted ballet
student. Prospective students must audition in person and
qualify for general admission to the University. Students
are accepted based upon their audition. Upon acceptance,
students must meet academic standards and conduct themselves
according to high school and University behavioral codes.
High School University Program students pay fees
according to the number of credit hours for which they
register. Credit and grades are awarded by the University.
High School University Students are not designated as majors
or pre-majors until they are fully matriculated. For more
information and application procedures please see our
website: www.ballet.utah.edu.
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