BFA in Dance Performance
Southern Methodist University — Dallas, TX
About this program
Southern Methodist University (SMU) is a highly selective private research university in Dallas, Texas, enrolling approximately 12,000 students with an undergraduate acceptance rate of approximately 47%. The Meadows School of the Arts is SMU's world-class performing and visual arts school within the broader liberal arts university — offering conservatory-level training within a rigorous academic and research environment. Dallas is the heart of one of the country's most vibrant arts markets, and students benefit from its position as a top-five national media market, home to the largest urban arts district in the nation. Critically, all performing arts degrees at Meadows operate under a Dual Admit process: students must be admitted both to SMU and, separately, to the Meadows School of the Arts via audition or portfolio. Over 80% of Meadows students pursue a double major or minor, and the university's test-optional policy extends to Meadows applicants. Average artistic scholarship for admitted Theatre applicants is $15,036; average total scholarship and aid package is $46,126 on a $67,038 annual tuition. SMU is double-major friendly and specifically encourages Meadows students to pursue cross-disciplinary study in engineering, English, business, and other fields. The Meadows Division of Dance offers a BFA in Dance Performance. The programme is built on comprehensive training across ballet, modern, and jazz techniques — all three required of all first- and second-year students — complemented by theoretical studies and exceptional performance opportunities. Students perform masterworks by Balanchine, Graham, Humphrey, Limon, Sokolow, Taylor, Parsons, Battle, Pilobolus, and others. Guest choreographers of international standing visit regularly. Alumni of the programme have danced professionally with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Ballet Hispanico, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Martha Graham Company, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Complexions, and more.
Audition & application overview
- Requires a live or recorded audition
- Requires a dance audition
- Requires an essay
In Person
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