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California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, CA

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Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

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BFA Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

Four-year BFA in The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance, set inside the country's only comprehensive institute of both the visual and performing arts

Training

Technique across ballet, contemporary, and hip-hop, paired with Pilates, anatomy, and critical dance studies

First two years build foundational skills; the final two are driven by one-on-one mentoring and personal artistic exploration

Production literacy is built in: students study stagecraft, lighting, costume design, and audio/video for stage and camera

School of Dance led by Dean Dimitri Chamblas, with the BFA program directed by Rosanna Tavarez (LA Dance Project)

Performance & Productions

Students perform at REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) and across galleries, films, public spaces, and digital platforms

Choreographic residencies bring internationally renowned artists, plus "Dance x Film" collaborations with CalArts filmmakers and animators

Degree Flexibility

Optional minors in Digital Arts, Critical Studies, or Arts Education

School info

Snapshot

Admit rate

32%

school-wide

Grad rate

67%

Enrollment

860

Earnings

$41K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$63,684

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$90,455

Before aid

Average net price

$46,080

After aid

Cost Attendance · calarts.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 8h ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Four-year BFA in The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance, set inside the country's only comprehensive institute of both the visual and performing arts

Training

Technique across ballet, contemporary, and hip-hop, paired with Pilates, anatomy, and critical dance studies

First two years build foundational skills; the final two are driven by one-on-one mentoring and personal artistic exploration

Production literacy is built in: students study stagecraft, lighting, costume design, and audio/video for stage and camera

School of Dance led by Dean Dimitri Chamblas, with the BFA program directed by Rosanna Tavarez (LA Dance Project)

Performance & Productions

Students perform at REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) and across galleries, films, public spaces, and digital platforms

Choreographic residencies bring internationally renowned artists, plus "Dance x Film" collaborations with CalArts filmmakers and animators

Degree Flexibility

Optional minors in Digital Arts, Critical Studies, or Arts Education

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Four-year BFA in The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance, set inside the country's only comprehensive institute of both the visual and performing arts

Training

Technique across ballet, contemporary, and hip-hop, paired with Pilates, anatomy, and critical dance studies

First two years build foundational skills; the final two are driven by one-on-one mentoring and personal artistic exploration

Production literacy is built in: students study stagecraft, lighting, costume design, and audio/video for stage and camera

School of Dance led by Dean Dimitri Chamblas, with the BFA program directed by Rosanna Tavarez (LA Dance Project)

Performance & Productions

Students perform at REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) and across galleries, films, public spaces, and digital platforms

Choreographic residencies bring internationally renowned artists, plus "Dance x Film" collaborations with CalArts filmmakers and animators

Degree Flexibility

Optional minors in Digital Arts, Critical Studies, or Arts Education

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

$85

Deadline

Fall 2027 Preferred DeadlineDec 1, 2026

Fall 2027 Regular DeadlineJan 5, 2027

Application Deadlines And Fees · calarts.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Deadline

Fall 2027 Preferred DeadlineDec 1, 2026

Fall 2027 Regular DeadlineJan 5, 2027

Auditions

Fall 2027 BFA Dance audition ? Los AngelesJan 9, 2027

Fall 2027 BFA Dance audition ? ChicagoJan 16, 2027

Fall 2027 BFA Dance audition ? New York CityJan 23, 2027

Application Deadlines And Fees · calarts.edu Danceauditions · apply.calarts.edu

Program Submission

Dance

Recorded audition alternative: submit three ballet exercises, a contemporary phrase that travels across the floor and incorporates jumps, turns, and floor work, plus a solo in any dance genre choreographed and performed by the applicant.

Ballet

Recorded audition alternative must include three ballet exercises: adage, petit allegro, and grand allegro.

Additional Materials

Artist Statement

Artist statement prompt: What is most important to you as a person and dancer, and why?

Artist statement prompt: What are your artistic and personal goals?

Artist statement prompt: Why are you applying to the BFA Dance program at CalArts?

Resume

Letters of Recommendation (2 Required)

Recommendation requirement: At least one letter must come from someone who understands your work

Recommendation instruction: Submit requests through the online application when possible

BFA Dance · calarts.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Dance

The live audition includes multiple dance techniques plus a creative component; applicants should be ready to dance barefoot, in ballet slippers, and in sneakers.

BFA Dance · calarts.edu

Good to Know

Applicants create a CalArts application account and complete the BFA Dance application before auditioning or submitting the recorded portfolio alternative.

Transfer Pathway

BFA Dance transfer applicants may request advanced placement by submitting two complete works—one choreographic and one performance work—in addition to the required audition.

BFA Dance · calarts.edu

What's The Process

Live auditions are strongly recommended. The live audition includes more than one dance technique plus a creative component; applicants should be prepared to dance barefoot, in ballet slippers, and in sneakers. Individual solos are not required for the live audition.

AUDITION LOCATIONS (migrated from legacy structured-date data 2026-09-16; see tasks/lessons.md)

Fall 2027 BFA Dance audition ? Los Angeles — Los Angeles, CA

Fall 2027 BFA Dance audition ? Chicago — Chicago, IL

Fall 2027 BFA Dance audition ? New York City — New York, NY

Scholarship Info

Merit-based institutional scholarships and grants may be awarded through CalArts financial aid based on artistic talent and application materials.

School info

Snapshot

Admit rate

32%

school-wide

Grad rate

67%

Enrollment

860

Earnings

$41K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$63,684

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$90,455

Before aid

Average net price

$46,080

After aid

Cost Attendance · calarts.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Four-year BFA in The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance, set inside the country's only comprehensive institute of both the visual and performing arts

Training

Technique across ballet, contemporary, and hip-hop, paired with Pilates, anatomy, and critical dance studies

First two years build foundational skills; the final two are driven by one-on-one mentoring and personal artistic exploration

Production literacy is built in: students study stagecraft, lighting, costume design, and audio/video for stage and camera

School of Dance led by Dean Dimitri Chamblas, with the BFA program directed by Rosanna Tavarez (LA Dance Project)

Performance & Productions

Students perform at REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) and across galleries, films, public spaces, and digital platforms

Choreographic residencies bring internationally renowned artists, plus "Dance x Film" collaborations with CalArts filmmakers and animators

Degree Flexibility

Optional minors in Digital Arts, Critical Studies, or Arts Education

Updated 8h ago