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Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
Audition Required
Interview Required
In-Person or Virtual
University App Required
Program Highlights
TRAINING
•Progressive program of intense technical training grounded in classical ballet, modern dance, and jazz
•Incorporates newer dance forms and world dance forms
•Courses in dance composition, music, anatomy and kinesiology, movement analysis, dance criticism, and somatic forms
PERFORMANCE
•Performance integrated into training at all levels
•Numerous opportunities to perform own works and works by faculty and distinguished guest choreographers
•Variety of stages and settings
ACCREDITATION
•Accredited by National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD)
•BFA degree conferred by University of Florida
•Located in downtown Miami with access to major cultural venues
Key Info
Program AppApplication
Apply atEmail
Auditions
NWSA Day of DanceNov 14, 2025
On-Campus AuditionJan 23, 2026
On-Campus AuditionFeb 27, 2026
On-Campus AuditionMar 20, 2026
Audition Requirements
Dance
IN-PERSON AUDITION
•Modern warm-up, improvisation, ballet centre, and jazz portion
•One-minute solo in modern/contemporary, ballet, or jazz
•Bring a recording of your music in two formats
VIDEO AUDITION (alternative)
•Email video link (YouTube, Vimeo) to mlburns@mdc.edu
TECHNIQUE DEMONSTRATION (5 min total)
•Modern/Contemporary: in-place total body movement at all levels demonstrating balance, extension, torso use, isolations, and off-center control
•Modern/Contemporary through space: turns, falls, and jumping at slow and fast tempos
•Ballet barre: several examples of barre work
•Ballet center: adagio including grand plies, developpes, promenades, and pirouettes
•Ballet through space: waltz combination, petite allegro (pas de bourree, changements, entrechats-quatre, sissones, glissades, pas de chats, brises), grand allegro (grand jetes, tours en l'air, tour jetes)
SOLO PERFORMANCE (1 min)
•Modern, jazz, or ballet style
•May be from classic/contemporary repertoire or original work
Ballet
BALLET CENTRE (included in audition)
•Adagio: grand plies, developpes, promenades, pirouettes
•Petite allegro: pas de bourree, changements, entrechats-quatre, sissones, glissades, pas de chats, brises
•Grand allegro: grand jetes, grand jetes entrechats, tours en l'air, tour jetes
Wildcard / Special Skill
N/A
Submission Specifications
FRAMING
•Full body at all times — camera close enough to see positioning of all body parts
•Camera remains in one location, shot straight on
•Panning permitted in large spaces; zooms only if full body stays in view
RECORDING
•Email as video link (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)
•Musical accompaniment preferable with clear audio
•Performance space large enough for unconstrained movement
Additional Materials
INTRODUCTION VIDEO (video audition only)
•State your name, where you are from, and why the NWSA BFA program interests you
VIDEO SPECIFICATIONS (video audition only)
•Email as a video link (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)
•Musical accompaniment preferable with clear audio
•Performance space large enough for unconstrained movement
•Camera close enough to see positioning of all body parts
•Camera framing: full body at all times
•Camera remains in one location, shot straight on
•Panning permitted in large spaces; zooms only if full body stays in view
Good to Know
APPLICATION PORTAL
•Complete free NWSA application at nwsacollege.org
•Video auditions emailed to mlburns@mdc.edu
RECOMMENDATIONS
•Two letters of recommendation from recent arts or educational instructors/counselors
•Submit to Director of Student Services: natkins@mdc.edu
TRANSCRIPTS
•Official transcripts not required during application
•Official transcripts required upon final acceptance
ENROLLMENT
•Rolling admissions with March 7 priority deadline
•In-person audition strongly recommended over video
•Students may audition for more than one division, but course of study limited to one
What's The Process
IN-PERSON AUDITION (strongly recommended)
•Held at NWSA, 25 NE 2nd Street, Miami, FL, 8th floor
•Audition includes modern warm-up, improvisation, ballet centre, jazz portion, solo, and interview
•Free parking in adjacent garage on NE 3rd Street
•Arrive as early as 7:30am — allow extra time for Miami traffic
ATTIRE
•Solid color leotard (female) or close-fitting black/white t-shirt (male)
•Black, pink, or skin-tone tights (adjustable for bare feet)
•Ballet slippers and jazz shoes
•Long hair pulled back and secured, no large jewelry
VIDEO AUDITION (alternative)
•Email video link to mlburns@mdc.edu
•Begin video by stating your name and introducing each section
CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTANCE
•Talent and potential as a performer
•Level and quality of prior training
•Musicality
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