UArts Pre-College Summer Institute for High School Students: Dance

Summer Institute Dance

July 8–July 26, 2024

Three weeks
Three college credits 
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. & evening open studio hours 

Expand your understanding of dance as an art form, a college major and a career with UArts faculty and guest artists. Transform the way you approach the practice and making of dances, and develop physicality and artistry in over a dozen student-selected workshops, choreographic projects, artist talks, professional dance performances, trips and open studio space for developing your work. 

Over the course of three weeks, you’ll take up to five classes per day, collaborate with students in other Pre-College programs and perform in a final sharing.

Overview

This summer, you’ll study a wide variety of offerings including workshops in dance studies, professional practices, dance and alternative media, and collaborative art practices with students in other Pre-College programs. Classes are designed to enhance versatility, precision, experimentation and communication.

Transform the way you approach the practice and making of dances. Develop physicality and artistry under the guidance of celebrated teachers and choreographers. The program includes over a dozen student-selected workshops, choreographic projects, artist talks, professional dance performances, trips and open studio space for developing student work. Rising seniors have the opportunity to audition for fall 2025 undergraduate admission.

At the end of this program, you will

  • demonstrate creative and technical growth in a final public sharing.

  • gain valuable skills in sharing, speaking and writing about dance.

  • demonstrate tools and methodologies used in both the making and performing of dances.

  • acquire an expanded understanding of contemporary choreographers, performers, practices and career possibilities.

Programming

You’ll participate in up to five classes a day, including daily studio practice classes, two or more choreographic projects, and a variety of seminars and workshops. 

Studio Practice

Daily studio practice offerings include

  • Ballet

  • Traditional modern dance techniques

  • Improvisation and composition

  • Hip hop

  • Jazz

  • Contemporary forms

Choreographic Projects

Participate in the creation of an original work, choreographed and mentored by UArts faculty. Additionally, choose a second choreographic project focusing on ballet, jazz or hip hop. These projects will be performed in the final sharing.

Student-Selected Workshops

Each day, you’ll select from a variety of rotating course choices to complement and enhance the work done in your other classes. You will choose new offerings each week once you’ve arrived on campus. 

Past workshops include

  • Activate Your Voice

  • Archetypal Movement Modes 

  • Black Dance Through the Lens

  • Commercial Jazz for the Camera

  • Contemporary Partnering

  • Contemporary Variations

  • Digital Media

  • Flamenco

  • Hip Hop

  • Jazz

  • Pilates

  • Pointe and Variations

  • Sensing the Self

  • Scores

  • Tap

  • Yoga 

A Week in the Life

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View a sample schedule

Monday

  • 9–10:20 a.m. Studio Practice: Modern

  • 10:30–11:50 a.m. Studio Practice: Ballet

  • 1–2:20 p.m. Seminar: Commercial Dance for the Camera

  • 2:30–3:50 p.m. Choreographic Project A

  • 4–5:20 p.m. Student Selected Workshop: Pointe and Variations

Tuesday

  • 9–10:20 a.m. Studio Practice: Ballet

  • 10:30–11:50 a.m. Studio Practice: Jazz

  • 1–2:20 p.m. Seminar: Knowing Dance More

  • 2:30–3:50 p.m. Choreographic Project B

  • 4–5:20 p.m. Student Selected Workshop: Digital Media in Dance-Making

Wednesday

  • 9–10:20 a.m. Studio Practice: Contemporary

  • 10:30–11:50 a.m. Studio Practice: Hip Hop

  • 1–2:20 p.m. Choreographic Project A

  • 2:30–3:30 p.m Program Meeting

  • 3:30–5:20 p.m Workshop: Improv Jam 

Thursday

  • 9–10:20 a.m. Studio Practice: Ballet

  • 10:30–11:50 a.m. Studio Practice: Improvisation

  • 1–2:20 p.m. Seminar: Dance After High School

  • 2:30–3:50 p.m Choreographic Project B

  • 4–5:20 p.m. Student Selected Workshop: Contemporary Variations

Friday

  • 9–10:20 a.m. Studio Practice: Contemporary

  • 10:30–11:50 a.m. Studio Practice: Hip Hop

  • 1–2:20 p.m. Choreographic Project A 

  • 2:30–3:50 p.m. Student Selected Workshop: Jazz: Fosse Inspired

  • 4–5:20 p.m. Student Selected Workshop: Pointe into Rep

  • 7:30–9:30 p.m. Attend a Professional Performance

Saturday

  • Optional off-campus field trips

Note: Students break for lunch between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. every day. Some evening activities are part of the program’s curriculum. Commuter students should plan accordingly.

Faculty

Courses in the Dance program are taught by an eclectic group of choreographers, performers and educators from across the globe. The majority of our faculty teach in the degree programs at UArts. Our expert faculty is comprised of seasoned educators and dedicated artists who enjoy sharing their expertise and collaborating with the next generation of dancers.

Summer 2024 faculty may include

Dinita Clark
Dinita Clark

Wayne David headshot
Wayne David

Rochelle Haynes headshot
Rochelle Haynes

JE Kim headshot
Jung-eun Kim

Headshot of Jen McGinn
Jen McGinn

Smith_Jennifer_headshot
Jennifer Smith

Katie Swords headshot
Katie Swords Thurman

Tommie Waheed Evans headshot
Tommie-Waheed Evans

Gordon Salaam of UArts
Jhelan Ashané Gordon-Salaam

Gary W Jeter II headshot
Gary W. Jeter II

Dance (BFA)
Paul Matteson headshot
Paul Matteson

Shannon Murphy headshot
Shannon Murphy

How to Apply

Start your application.

Application priority deadline Saturday, April 13 2024. 

Application Requirements

  • Complete the Summer Institute application.

  • Submit a pre-recorded audition.

    • Up to five minutes of technical demonstration at the barre and/or center

    • A two-minute solo performance

  • Pay the $15 application fee.

Tuition & Fees  

Tuition: $2,800
Program fee: $150  
Housing and meals: $1,500

Commuter total: $2,950
Residential total: $4,450

Supplies

Students are expected to bring supplies with them or purchase them once they arrive on campus. Supply lists will be shared one month before the program starts, with cost estimates.

Spending & Miscellaneous Expenses

Students spend an average of $80$100 per week on additional items including laundry, snacks, personal spending and non-required supplies.

Scholarships

Scholarships for the Summer Institute are awarded to students in high academic standing with significant creative potential and financial need. Scholarship awards are competitive. Students are able to apply for either a merit- or need-based scholarship. 

Learn about Summer Institute scholarships.

Summer Institute Dance 2022

Watch the final performance of our Dance students!

Questions?

Request more info

Contact Pre-College
precollege@uarts.edu
Pre-College Programs
211 S. Broad St, Terra Hall 9th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-717-6430

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