Students currently in 6-7th grades may apply for Middle School Arts Instruction.
Students currently in 8-11th grades may apply for High School Arts Instruction.

It is the mission of the Dance Department at NOCCA to provide a complete and comprehensive dance education experience in a nurturing and disciplined environment to all of our students. We use dance as a foundational vehicle to integrate physical, intellectual, and emotional capacities and as a catalyst for the development of students’ self-discipline, integrity, responsibility, aesthetic awareness, and creative problem solving. Our ultimate goal is to develop and mentor fine young citizens who will complete their artistic requirements for completion of this program, leaving them prepared for their future endeavors. 

The NOCCA Dance Program maintains a supportive, rigorous and challenging dance atmosphere that prepares students for the requirements of today’s professional dance world. Students receive technical dance training grounded in Classical Ballet, Modern (Horton Technique), Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Hip-Hop and African Diasporic Dance, with supplemental instruction in Dance Conditioning, Dance Anatomy & Nutrition, Dance History, Dance Improvisation & Composition, Master Classes, and Student Choreography Projects. Additional training is provided through our visiting Artist in Residence program, which gives students the opportunity to work closely with world renowned choreographers and performers. Our curriculum reflects the quality of intense training and artistic development that any young aspiring dancer will need to succeed at the college level, and in the professional dance world. Utilizing the artist-teacher instructional concept students have the advantage of learning, knowing and experiencing dance as an artistic form. 

With your completed application:

Film yourself answering the following interview questions related to your goals and your vision for your future in dance:

1. What style of dance are you strongest in? (ex. ballet, hip hop, jazz, etc)
2. Describe your interest in dance, and what role you see dance having in your future post high school.
3. Describe an experience that reflects your passion for dance.
4. Describe a specific instance when you received a personal correction in dance class.
   • How did it make you feel when you received the critique?
   • What was the correction?
   • How did you apply the correction at that specific moment?
   • Were you able to maintain the adjustment, or did you receive the same correction the next time you came to class?

While filming, ensure the lighting in your room is bright enough so we can see you. Set up your device so that your body from the waist up is in full view of the camera. This recording must be submitted with the application.

Prepare for the audition:

• Come dressed in dance clothes.
  • Females
    • Modern, Improvisation – Black leotard, black convertible tights
    • Jazz – Black leotard, black convertible tights, jazz shoes, (NO JAZZ SNEAKERS)
    • Tap – Black leotard, black convertible tights, black oxford style (lace up) tap shoes, (tap shoes will be provided if a student does not have access to them, or jazz shoes will be allowed)
    • Ballet – Black leotard, pink tights with pink ballet shoes or flesh tone tights with flesh tone ballet shoes
  • Males
    • All Disciplines – black tights, white T-shirt, ballet, jazz and tap shoes (tap shoes may be provided to students that do not have access to them, or jazz shoes will be allowed)
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• Hair should be pulled back away from the face and secured tightly in a puff or a bun (or as close to a puff or a bun as possible). No jewelry can be worn and nails must be trimmed to the edges of the fingertips.
• Those not appropriately dressed or arriving late will need to politely ask permission to join the audition.

The audition:

• Live Classes: You will take abbreviated dance classes in ballet, modern, jazz and tap technique with an opportunity to showcase your best movement qualities through improvisation.
• Assessment: You will be assessed on your demonstration of the following skills: mental ability; energy level within the classes; flexibility of back, legs, feet and foot articulation; musicality and phrasing; rhythmic accuracy; quick recall of combinations; presence and carriage, and ability to perform given combinations with confidence; and your overall passion for dance. 
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• Do not prepare choreography for this audition. You will take instruction from the NOCCA dance faculty.

In addition to individual department requirements, all applicants will:

• Upload to the application a 1-2 minute video of the applicant answering the question, “Why do I want to train at NOCCA?"
• Upload to the application a copy of the most recent report card. Applicants must have at least a 2.0 GPA.
• Be prepared with the email of an adult who is not related to you to complete your recommendation. Your recommender will receive an email from Acceptd with a link to fill out a recommendation form online.