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Mercyhurst University

Erie, PA

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Dance

Music performance

Composition & music studies

Music education

Quick links

BA Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD)

Classical ballet program rooted in the liberal arts tradition

Performance & Productions

2-4 mainstage productions per year at the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center

Four performance ensembles: Mercyhurst Dancers, SoMar Dance Works, Liturgical Dance Ensemble, and Dance Outreach

5-8 guest artists annually from companies including ABT, New York City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Martha Graham, and Pilobolus

Professional Development

Alumni performing with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Nashville Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Cleveland Ballet, and Broadway national tours

Internship placements at ABT, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Broadway Dance Center, and Disney

Degree Flexibility

Flexibility to pursue a minor, double major, or accelerated programming

Concentration in pedagogy available

Returning Professional Program for dancers with 3+ years professional experience

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.55

Admit rate

81%

school-wide

Grad rate

60%

Enrollment

2.2K

Earnings

$47K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$49,160

Before aid

Average net price

$19,444

After aid

Financial Aid And Affordability · mercyhurst.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 25, 12:45 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD)

Classical ballet program rooted in the liberal arts tradition

Performance & Productions

2-4 mainstage productions per year at the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center

Four performance ensembles: Mercyhurst Dancers, SoMar Dance Works, Liturgical Dance Ensemble, and Dance Outreach

5-8 guest artists annually from companies including ABT, New York City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Martha Graham, and Pilobolus

Professional Development

Alumni performing with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Nashville Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Cleveland Ballet, and Broadway national tours

Internship placements at ABT, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Broadway Dance Center, and Disney

Degree Flexibility

Flexibility to pursue a minor, double major, or accelerated programming

Concentration in pedagogy available

Returning Professional Program for dancers with 3+ years professional experience

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD)

Classical ballet program rooted in the liberal arts tradition

Performance & Productions

2-4 mainstage productions per year at the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center

Four performance ensembles: Mercyhurst Dancers, SoMar Dance Works, Liturgical Dance Ensemble, and Dance Outreach

5-8 guest artists annually from companies including ABT, New York City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Martha Graham, and Pilobolus

Professional Development

Alumni performing with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Nashville Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Cleveland Ballet, and Broadway national tours

Internship placements at ABT, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Broadway Dance Center, and Disney

Degree Flexibility

Flexibility to pursue a minor, double major, or accelerated programming

Concentration in pedagogy available

Returning Professional Program for dancers with 3+ years professional experience

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App Coalition App

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Official page · go.mercyhurst.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the audition.

Apply

School Website

Auditions

In-Person Audition

Oct 23, 2026Nov 16, 2026Jan 18, 2027Feb 8 & 15, 2027Mar 22, 2027Apr 5, 2027

Dance Auditions Scholarships · mercyhurst.edu

Audition Requirements

Dance

Ballet Class

One side of barre: pliés in second and fifth position, tendu/degagé, rond de jambe, fondu, adagio, and grand battements

Center grand adagio including développés and promenades

Petit allegro with battu

Pirouettes en dedans and en dehors within center combinations

Grande allegro on the diagonal or in a circle

Additional Elements

Men: tour en l'air and/or batterie (entrechat quatre, six, etc.)

Optional: fouettés sur le pointe (advanced/pre-professional level)

Optional: variation or performance footage may be added

Attire

Women: dark leotard, pink or skin-tone tights, ballet shoes, pointe shoes, hair in bun or French twist

Men: white T-shirt, black tights, white shoes

Additional Materials

Headshot

Full-length 1st arabesque photo en pointe (PDF); can be taken in the dancer's home studio setting

Resume

Dance resume including performance credits, ballets/parts, choreographers, and years

Essay

Describe how transferable skills from dance support you throughout career transitions

Attach as a one-page PDF or Word document

Video

Upload to YouTube or Vimeo: short format (5 min max, ballet class excerpt) or full format (15 min max, comprehensive ballet class requiring on-campus placement in Spring)

Dance Auditions Scholarships · mercyhurst.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Complete Department of Dance application (separate from university application)

University application must be submitted first

Provide one reference with name, studio, studio address, phone, and email

Note: the department's Application Process page still prints "We are now accepting applications for the 2025-26 year" alongside its Fall 2027 in-person audition schedule; the dated Fall 2027 audition days above govern

Eligibility

Acceptance to Dance Department is contingent on acceptance to the university

Both freshman and transfer students may apply

Transfer Pathway

Returning professional dancers with at least three years of professional experience may petition for up to 37 transfer or life-experience credits within the BA Dance major after portfolio review; BA students complete the applied-theory pedagogy route.

Dance · mercyhurst.edu

What's The Process

Audition Format

In-person or video audition accepted

Both BA and BFA programs require a full audition

Video audition applicants must complete on-campus placement class in March

Video Requirements

Camera records barre from the side, center and across the floor from the front

Dancer's entire body must be visible throughout, shot straight on at eye level

Background should contrast the dancer's dress

Contact

Arilyn Hicks, dance admissions liaison: ahicks@mercyhurst.edu

Danielle Kaiser, dance administrative assistant: dkaiser@mercyhurst.edu

C. Noelle Partusch, Department Chair: 814-824-3352

Scholarship Info

Merit Scholarships

Department of Dance merit scholarships awarded through audition

Open to all prospective students regardless of financial status

Must maintain 3.0 GPA in dance courses and 2.5 overall to retain scholarship

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.55

Admit rate

81%

school-wide

Grad rate

60%

Enrollment

2.2K

Earnings

$47K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$49,160

Before aid

Average net price

$19,444

After aid

Financial Aid And Affordability · mercyhurst.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD)

Classical ballet program rooted in the liberal arts tradition

Performance & Productions

2-4 mainstage productions per year at the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center

Four performance ensembles: Mercyhurst Dancers, SoMar Dance Works, Liturgical Dance Ensemble, and Dance Outreach

5-8 guest artists annually from companies including ABT, New York City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Martha Graham, and Pilobolus

Professional Development

Alumni performing with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Nashville Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Cleveland Ballet, and Broadway national tours

Internship placements at ABT, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Broadway Dance Center, and Disney

Degree Flexibility

Flexibility to pursue a minor, double major, or accelerated programming

Concentration in pedagogy available

Returning Professional Program for dancers with 3+ years professional experience

Updated Sep 25, 12:45 PM