Program
No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewIn-Person or VirtualSelective12-24 StudentsUniversity App Required
Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
Audition Required
No Interview
Selective
12-24 Students
University App Required
Program Highlights
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
•One of the first university programs in the nation to offer a Hip Hop Dance concentration
•Students train in breaking, popping/locking, waving, voguing, rocking, street jazz, house, and hip hop social dance
•Also exposed to diverse movement vocabularies: ballet, modern, tap, jazz, African, and improvisation
•Students develop acting and theatre skills as part of their training
FACULTY & TRAINING
•Faculty includes Crystal Frazier, M.F.A., one of the first tenured Hip Hop professors, and Beverly Bautista, M.F.A. (Disney, Pepsi, Billboard Music Awards, Lip Sync Battle, iHeart Radio, Good Morning America)
•Training facility: George Rowland White Performance Center
•Collaboration with UPMC Sports Medicine for upgraded athletic training room
RECOGNITION
•School of Dance recognized by DanceUS.Org as one of the Best College Programs in the U.S.
•Springboard Danse international project relocated to Point Park, bringing world-renowned artists to Pittsburgh
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Caroline Loeser '15 — Lady Gaga Joanne World Tour, Pepsi Super Bowl LI Halftime Show
•Floyd McLean — Dallas Black Dance Theatre
•Gabriella Sorrentino — Dance Captain, Hamilton (Broadway in Chicago) and BOOP! The Musical
•Ahmad Simmons '10 — Broadway (Illinoise), film, and screen
Key Info
Program AppApplication
Apply atAcceptd
Deadline
Mar 8, 2026
Auditions
NYC Off-Campus (Open Jar Studios)Feb 7, 2026
On-CampusFeb 15, 2026
On-CampusMar 1, 2026
Artistic Review Fee
$115Waiver
Audition Requirements
Dance
VIDEO AUDITION ONLY: FOUR COMBINATIONS
•Applicants unable to attend an in-person audition are welcome to submit a video of FOUR combinations - ballet, modern, jazz, and hip hop
-Demonstration videos of required combinations can be found on the dance guidelines page
Additional Materials
•Performance/training resume
•HEADSHOT (8x10 in size)
•MOVEMENT PHOTO in hip hop style (optional, in addition to headshot)
•Note: Full-body photograph in first arabesque is required for Ballet, Jazz, or Modern concentrations only
•Do NOT mail materials prior to audition; all materials submitted are non-returnable
ATTIRE
•Ballet: Solid color leotard or fitted top and tights or unitard, bare feet
-Pointe: Only required for Ballet concentration, optional for all others
•Modern: Solid color leotard or fitted top and tights or unitard, bare feet
•Jazz: Solid color leotard or fitted top and tights or black leggings or unitard, bare feet or jazz shoes
•Hip Hop: Loose or form-fitted dance wear (nothing too revealing), including sweats, leggings, basketball shorts, tanks, t-shirts; comfortable tennis shoes or sneakers
GROOMING
•Hair should be groomed and/or secured off the face and above the neck
•No hats, bandanas or headbands
Good to Know
APPLICATION PROCESS
•Submit academic application BEFORE scheduling or completing audition
•Official transcripts and test scores do NOT need to be on file prior to audition
IMPORTANT
•Rolling admissions—space is limited
•Strongly encouraged to complete audition by March 8, 2026 for highest scholarship consideration
•Fee waiver available for College Board/NACAC fee waiver recipients, Pell Grant eligible, or financial hardship (apply through Acceptd)
What's The Process
AUDITION DAY
•On-campus activities typically last from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
•Confirmation email sent one week prior with times and locations
•Parents are NOT permitted to observe the audition class
•Campus tour, faculty Q&A, and parent/student Q&A included
AUDITION CLASS
•Required ballet class for all concentrations
•Pointe and/or allegro and turns (only required for ballet concentration)
•Modern portion required for all
•Jazz portion required for all
•Hip hop portion required for all
VIDEO AUDITION
•Available for applicants unable to attend in person
•Submit four separate videos: ballet, hip hop, jazz, and modern
DECISIONS
•Based on talent and potential as demonstrated in audition
•Artistic decisions not issued until academic decision received
•Notified by email and letter of artistic decision and possible achievement award
Scholarship Info
•Artistic Achievement Award: $5,000–$30,000 for full-time undergraduate freshmen or transfer students who demonstrate high caliber of artistic ability through the artistic review process; must maintain 3.0 GPA and full-time COPA status
•Dean's Academic Award: $3,000–$8,000 based on GPA; candidates considered based on artistic audition; must maintain 3.0 GPA and full-time COPA status
•Visit Scholarship: $1,000 for freshmen who schedule and complete an official campus visit or attend an Admissions Open House
Program info updated 4d ago
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
•One of the first university programs in the nation to offer a Hip Hop Dance concentration
•Students train in breaking, popping/locking, waving, voguing, rocking, street jazz, house, and hip hop social dance
•Also exposed to diverse movement vocabularies: ballet, modern, tap, jazz, African, and improvisation
•Students develop acting and theatre skills as part of their training
FACULTY & TRAINING
•Faculty includes Crystal Frazier, M.F.A., one of the first tenured Hip Hop professors, and Beverly Bautista, M.F.A. (Disney, Pepsi, Billboard Music Awards, Lip Sync Battle, iHeart Radio, Good Morning America)
•Training facility: George Rowland White Performance Center
•Collaboration with UPMC Sports Medicine for upgraded athletic training room
RECOGNITION
•School of Dance recognized by DanceUS.Org as one of the Best College Programs in the U.S.
•Springboard Danse international project relocated to Point Park, bringing world-renowned artists to Pittsburgh
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Caroline Loeser '15 — Lady Gaga Joanne World Tour, Pepsi Super Bowl LI Halftime Show
•Floyd McLean — Dallas Black Dance Theatre
•Gabriella Sorrentino — Dance Captain, Hamilton (Broadway in Chicago) and BOOP! The Musical
•Ahmad Simmons '10 — Broadway (Illinoise), film, and screen
Updated 4d ago
Academic School Information
3.48
Avg GPA
97%
Admit Rate
59%
Grad Rate
2,331
Enrollment
$45,856
Earnings
10yr after
Tuition & Fees
$39,570
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$25,942
after typical aid
Average annual cost is often lower than tuition because it accounts for grants and scholarships most students receive. It includes tuition, room & board, books, and supplies.
Family Income $0 - $30k$22,436
Family Income $30k - $48k$22,064
Family Income $48k - $75k$22,362
Family Income $75k - $110k$27,325
Family Income $110k+$29,813
