Photo gallery: Back to school at CCM with online, in-person...
September 21, 2020
During the first month of fall semester, students faculty and staff reunite to learn, rehearse, research and create at UC's College-Conservatory of Music.
Dance
CCM Dance focuses on ballet and contemporary styles for the dancer seeking top-level training and rigorous artistic, academic and studio curriculum.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/iwePsRO6U2E?rel=0
The Dance Department at CCM is a professionally oriented dance program offering a bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree with an emphasis in ballet training. Through a rigorous academic and studio curriculum dancers receive advanced training while cultivating their artistry and stimulating creativity. The BFA candidates graduate with a thorough knowledge of the dance world and how to function in it, going on to perform and teach in professional dance companies and dance education organizations.
(CCM is one of the) top programs to consider.
Dance Magazine
Key Program Elements
- Dance and audition with professional companies while earning your BFA
- Highly-recognized faculty, guest choreographers and artists-in-residence
- One of the few programs in the country to require a year of somatic studies (Alexander Technique, Pilates, Yoga)
- Seasonal and internship opportunities with professional dance companies while enrolled as a full-time student
- Onsite physical therapists and athletic trainers
- Three large dance studios with observation booth, therapy and dressing rooms
CCM Dance's combination of academics and professional training — including excellent live accompaniment for dance classes — is so exceptional that Dance Magazine cited it as one of just a few programs in the country that 'offer the specialization and experience you’d receive as a company trainee.'
Janet Light Dance writer and critic
The CCM Dance Department boasts a distinguished, dynamic faculty, state of the art facilities, multiple performance opportunities, and a diversity of new and challenging experiences for its students. A team of dedicated full-time faculty: Shauna Steele (department chair), Jiang Qi, Deirdre Carberry and Michael Tevlin; along with dedicated adjunct faculty members, frequent guest artists, company directors and professionals from the field are committed to nurturing highly technical, passionate and artistic dancers.
Online applications are due December 1 for fall admission in the BFA program.
John T. Bell,
Adjunct Instructor of Ballet, CCM Prep Ballet Instructor
513-871-6246
Isabele Melo Elefson,
Adjunct Instructor of Dance, CCM Prep Ballet Instructor
513-492-7843
Jonnie L. Jacobs,
Adjunct Instructor of Ballet, CCM Prep Ballet Director
513-556-2595
Shauna L. Steele,
Associate Professor of Dance; Chair of Dance Department
513-556-9594
Tricia A. Sundbeck,
Adjunct Instructor of Dance, CCM Prep Ballet Instructor
513-556-2595
CCM's undergraduate admissions process begins on August 1 for entrance in the following year's fall semester. All application materials must be submitted on or before December 1 to be considered for specific scholarship awards. Visit the CCM Admissions website for additional application instructions.
Pre-screening and Audition Requirements
Pre-screening
Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 1 in order to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.
Pre-screening Requirements
- A solo variation from the standard, classical repertoire (women en pointe)
- This video should include a short introduction of the dancer stating their name, classical variation, the studio/academy/training program currently attending, and answering the following questions:
- Why dance as a major?
- Why CCM specifically?
- Variations may be performed in practice clothes or costume either in the studio or on stage. Performance tapes are acceptable but should clearly show the applicant only and be a clear, moderately close video. The video should be at a distance, fuzzy, or grainy.
- This video should include a short introduction of the dancer stating their name, classical variation, the studio/academy/training program currently attending, and answering the following questions:
- A full-length photo with the applicant dressed in regular ballet classroom attire, posed in 1st arabesque en l’air (women en pointe).
- Ballet technique video recorded En Face. All combinations on side 1 or 2, not both.
- At Barre: Short Plié w/Tondu combination, Short Developé Fondu combination
- At Center: Adagio OR Petite Allegro (choose your strength)
Audition
Audition Requirements
- A traditional classical ballet barre and center followed by several pointe work combinations (for women only)
- Dancers will then take the modern dance component, which consists of movement combinations demonstrating the ability to perform floor work and various rhythmic and spatially oriented structures. Improvisation may be a component of the modern portion of the audition process.
- Virtual Zoom is the plan for most or all of our auditions. Studios wishing to host their students or others for the Zoom Audition should contact the CCM dance department Program Manager, Colleen Condit at conditce@ucmail.uc.edu.
- Female dancers should wear ballet slippers, pointe shoes and have footed tights that can be rolled up to ankle or calf-length for the modern component of the audition. Traditional attire (black leotard and pink or skin colored tights).
- Male dancers should wear socks and ballet slippers as well as tights that can be rolled up to accommodate the modern dance component of the audition. Traditional attire (black tights and white t-shirt).
Additional Information
- Zoom or WebEx Q&A sessions with faculty and/or students will be available during the audition days
- Although due to current Covid-19 and Social Distancing safety protocols we are not allowing prospective students to visit and take class, we are offering a few Zoom classes with the majors and faculty over the course of the academic year. Contact Shauna Steele, steelesu@ucmail.uc.edu, for more information.
The audition will consist of a traditional classical ballet barre and center followed by several combinations of pointe work (for women only). Dancers will then take the modern dance component, which consists of two-three movement sequences demonstrating the ability to perform floor work and various rhythmic and spatially-oriented structures.
Each applicant must submit a video/DVD of himself or herself performing a solo variation from the standard classical repertoire to getacceptd.com/ccm. The applicants must also upload a photo with the applicant dressed in regular classroom attire posed in Arabesque en'lair (women on pointe). The video should include a short introduction of the dancer stating his or her name, name of the variation and name of the studio where the dancer trains. Only the introduction and selected variation should be on the video/DVD.
An audition by DVD should be no more than 10 minutes and should reflect the dancer's strengths. Applicants should show an example of their typical level of training including: exercises at the barre, center work, jumps, and point work (women, all center work en pointe). The DVD must reflect the dancer's current training, made within three months of the application submission. This should also be submitted to getacceptd.com/ccm.
The student must include: pliés, tendues, dégagés (from fifth position, both straight and with pliè) ronde de jambe, a terre and en l’air, passé developpe en croix, frappes, grand battements and balances on one leg. The exercises can be short, but with enough repetition that the dancer can be seen clearly.
Please show all ballet combinations on one side only. Center work to include: adage, pirouettes en dehors and en dedans, petit allegro and grand allegro. Women finish with fouettes and men finish with turns in à la second. A classical variation (on pointe for women) one to two minutes in length.
Variations may be performed in practice clothes or costume either in the studio or on stage. Performance tapes are acceptable but should show only the applying dancer.
Female dancers should bring ballet slippers, pointe shoes and have footed tights that can be rolled up to ankle or calf-length for the modern component of the audition. Traditional attire (black leotard and pink tights) is recommended.
Male dancers should bring socks and ballet slippers as well as tights that can be rolled up to accommodate the modern dance component of the audition. Traditional attire (black tights and white T-shirt) is also recommended.
Off-site audition formats may vary slightly. Applicants must submit a full length photo with the applicant dressed in regular ballet classroom attire, posed in arabesque enl'air (women en pointe).
There are two ways to receive scholarship aid to study in CCM Dance at the University of Cincinnati. The first is through an academic scholarship called the Cincinnatus Scholarship. For details, please visit the Cincinnatus Scholarship Program website to learn more.
Every applicant is automatically considered for the CCM Talent Scholarship, which is awarded based on the audition and interview. No further applications or actions by applicants are required, other than applying and auditioning, to be considered for our modest talent scholarships.
News and Events
WCPO Lounge Acts features CCM Dance alumna Bla'szé
September 21, 2020
UC College-Conservatory of Music alumna Asia Renea Harrison (BFA Ballet, ’13) might be more recognizable to Cincinnati audiences under her stage name, Bla’szé; in mid-September, the performance artist gave a concert at Northside Yacht Club as part of WCPO’s Lounge Acts series. In the series, artists perform and give an interview for a relatively empty courtyard, generally alternating between musical numbers and discussion with host Brian Niesz (en mask, of course).
CCM Dance co-ops create pipeline from student to professional...
August 11, 2020
UC’s College-Conservatory of Music Dance program offers a co-op program that connects students to professional ballet companies while they complete their BFA degrees, creating a pipeline that leads young artists to their future careers.