Dance

University of Idaho’s B.S. Dance degree is ideal if you wish to become a leader in movement professions and community development through the art and science of dance.

This program will be a good fit if you:

• Are passionate about dance
• Like to perform
• Have previous dance training
• Enjoy challenging your creativity
• Have curiosity and discipline
• Thrive in hands-on, experiential learning

Financial aid

All students auditioning for scholarships must apply for financial aid in order to be considered for dance program scholarships. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FSFSA).

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but U of I’s Financial Aid Office is here to help. Our experienced financial aid counselors can assist you in exploring financial aid options, making informed financial decisions and addressing common concerns.

To maximize aid and scholarship possibilities, be sure to complete your FAFSA. For information on FAFSA deadlines and answers to common questions, visit the University of Idaho FAFSA website.

Plan ahead — estimate your cost of attendance with U of I’s Cost Calculator.

Scholarships

Unlock scholarship opportunities at University of Idaho. When you apply to U of I, you're automatically considered for scholarships. We also offer a variety of scholarships based on experience, background and academic programs that student can apply for to help pay for college.

Explore available scholarships

Performance opportunities

Dance students have numerous opportunities to perform throughout their college studies.

• Dancers audition for the pre-professional  company, UIdaho Dance Ensemble, working closely with faculty and guest artists in choreography projects. The ensemble tours with selected dancers throughout the Northwest.
• DancersDrummersDreamers is a collaboration with the Lionel Hampton School of Music performed to original, live music. It has toured with selected dancers throughout the Northwest.
• Choreo-Lab and Dance Research Showcase feature advanced student choreography.
• Dance Off Hand is a bi-annual informal concert series, produced by Therpsichore Student Dance Organization, enhancing your leadership experience.

Professional development

Guest artist residencies and master classes are a priority of the dance program, supporting networking and hands-on learning experience.

You will have opportunities to attend conferences with state and national dance organizations, with possible involvement in faculty research and additional performance experiences. With mentorship, you could also regularly apply to and attend  summer intensives and dance internships.

Qualified candidates are hired as dance instructors through an in-residence academy, Festival Dance and teach a myriad of studio courses earning real world experience to enhance their résumés.

Student involvement

You could also become involved in university student organizations including Terpsichore Student Dance Organization and the National Society for Dance Arts. Students teach in public schools through our Teaching Creative Dance and Dance Integration for Children course and take advantage of dance pedagogy practicum hours through local studios.

Undergraduate applications open each September and admissions are processed on a rolling basis. Qualified students are admitted and considered for scholarships and financial aid as applications are received.

Explore admission requirements and apply on our Admissions website.

Program auditions

• Scholarship priority deadline: Feb. 27, 2026
• Awarding beyond this deadline is contingent upon availability of funding.

Upcoming auditions

• Ongoing individual in-person audition or video submissions
  • Contact the program (dance@uidaho.edu) to schedule an individual in-person audition or audition by video for program placement and/or scholarship
• Fall placement and scholarship audition (Fall 2026 entering students)
  • Nov. 21, 2025, time TBA, Dance Lab 110
• Spring placement and scholarship audition (Spring 2026 entering and returning students)
  • Feb. 27, 2026, time TBA, Dance Lab 110
• Mid-spring placement/scholarship audition and master class (fall 2026 entrance, prospective students and community)
  • March 28, 2026, 10–11:30 a.m., Dance lab 110
• High School Dance Festival (students seeking placement into the program for Fall 2026 are invited to request placement results
• April 25, 2026, all day, PEB, registration information TBA

University of Idaho dance program requires placement auditions for acceptance. Students will be evaluated by the dance faculty on the basis of previous training, technical prowess, performance presence, alignment, maturity of movement and potential. To prepare, you should receive ballet and modern dance training with classes in other dance forms.

Students meeting our program standards will be granted entrance into the program under a four-year plan. Students who do not meet program standards upon entrance will be accepted under conditional status and will be re-evaluated the following year for improvement and growth potential.  

Dance minors do not need to audition for the minor. However, all intermediate and advanced level technique classes in ballet and contemporary modern dance require instructor permission. A placement class will take place annually.

Dance majors may audition for scholarships annually, which require a solo performance and an interview. These awards are based upon merit, financial need and excellence in dance.  

Audition registration process

Follow these steps to register for a placement and/or scholarship audition.

Step 1

• Incoming students must apply to University of Idaho prior to attending a placement or scholarship audition for the dance program. It is advantageous for prospective students to apply as early as possible to qualify for academic scholarships based upon academic credentials through the University of Idaho undergraduate application process.
• All students auditioning for scholarships must apply for financial aid in order to be considered for dance program scholarships. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Step 2

• Complete audition registration online using the audition registration form.

Additional information

If you plan to enter the program in the spring, you should contact the program (dance@uidaho.edu) for those deadlines.

Technique class

Your audition for the department will consist of participation in an intermediate/advanced technique class in ballet and/or modern, taught by U of I dance faculty members and attended by other dance majors and minors. Wear dance attire or other form-fitting clothes with appropriate footwear. Contact the dance program (dance@uidaho.edu) for scheduling.

Solo performance (for scholarship applicants only)

Prepare a 2–4-minute dance solo demonstrating your dance lineage and performance range. Consider musicality, dynamic movement quality and creative risk taking. You will be evaluated on your ability and aptitude for growth. If the solo is accompanied by music, please bring a digital copy on a device that can connect to an auxiliary cable or using Bluetooth.

Interview (for scholarship applicants only)

Be prepared to discuss the information on your audition form and your interest in becoming a dance major at University of Idaho. This also is a chance to get to know faculty members and ask any questions about the degree program.

Video submissions

Submission will not be viewed until applicants have applied to University of Idaho and submitted dance audition registration form.

• Audition registration form

New student scholarship priority deadline

• Audition in-person or online by Feb. 27, 2026

Requirements

• Videos should not exceed 10-minutes

Introduction

• Speak your name, where you are from and a brief discussion of your interest in dance.

Technique demonstrations

• Ballet segment
  • Two  ballet barre combinations (sideview)
  • One ballet center combination
  • One ballet traveling combination
  • You must demonstrate at least one turn and one jump
• Contemporary modern segment
  • Two contemporary modern combinations of approximately 32 counts each
  • You must demonstrate moving into and out of the floor
• Solo (for scholarship applicants only)
  • Present a 2–4-minute dance solo demonstrating a wide range of dance technique and artistry.
  • Identify the title and choreographer and any accompanying music for your piece.
• Video submission
  • Submit a video link (ie. YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) to dance@uidaho.edu or provide the link when submitting the audition registration form
• Zoom interview (for scholarship applicants only)
  • After submitting your audition registration form and video audition you may be contacted by the program to schedule an interview with faculty.
• Additional information
  • Please edit your video
  • Do not wear loose clothing or costumes