2009-2010 Scholarships
April 27, 2009
from Andy Vaca, Scholarship Coordinator

As many of you know, several scholarship offers have gone out for 2009-2010 Department of Dance Scholarships.  With the great success of HyperDrive, we have more money available for scholarships than initially anticipated.  This means that there will be one last round of scholarship offers coming this week to students who auditioned for scholarships back in March.  It is unfortunate that this has been such a tough financial year for our funds because the group of students who auditioned were a stellar group.  We will not be able to make offers to everyone, but want everyone to know that we appreciate their efforts at the audition and in their courses and rehearsals.  Both Department and Summer Scholarship offers will be made by May 8.

Summer Scholarships
Date:  April 22, 2009
From:  Andy Vaca, Scholarship Coordinator

We will once again be awarding Summer Scholarships for continuing dance majors who are in need of financial assistance in order to attend summer workshops or festivals.  At the present time, we will award five $200 scholarships and one $450 scholarship that will be specifically for the CSU Summer Arts program to study with Joe Goode and Deborah Hay.  There is a chance that CSU Summer Arts can match this scholarship making the entire experience free. 

Please download the Summer Scholarship Application, and turn it in to Andy Vaca’s mailbox by Friday, May 1 at 5 pm.  Note that you must have a flyer or brochure for your workshop or festival attached to your application.  If you do not have the official brochure, print info regarding costs on the internet and attach.  Please fill out neatly and completely.

These scholarships are not for normal study at a dance studio over the summer, even in another city.  These are for legitimate festivals and workshops.  There is a large number of summer festival and workshop information in both the student lounge and in the main office.

Awards should be announced by May 8.  If you have any questions, please see Andy Vaca.

Download Scholarship Application Here

Department Scholarships for 2009-10
From:  Andy Vaca, Scholarship Coordinator

Attention all dance majors—it’s time for our annual scholarship audition.  All current and returning dance majors may audition for a dance scholarship.  This audition allows you to be considered for numerous scholarships, some of which come from specific donors, some of which come from the College of the Arts, and some of which come directly from the Dance Department.  Some of these scholarships require further competition/auditions, and students who have been nominated for these scholarships will be notified concerning the specifics of each scholarship.  Only students who audition during our Scholarship Audition will be considered for any scholarship.  Graduate students need not audition.

The audition will be Wednesday, March 4 starting at 1:00 pm in Studio 2.  This is during the Composition/Improvisation time, and students in those classes will be asked to come and be an audience for those auditioning.  Submit your completed application to Andy Vaca prior to the audition.  Audition order will be based upon the reception of applications (a.k.a. first-come, first-served).

Please read all of the following information prior to filling out the application.

Requirements:
To apply for a Dance Department scholarship, you must be a dance major, have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average, and receive a grade of C or better in the following studio-based courses:  modern and ballet technique, composition/improvisation, performance, and production (crew).

To maintain eligibility for full-year scholarships, the student must:
            • Major in Dance.
            • Pass all classes.
            • Maintain full-time enrollment.
            • Audition for at least three department produced concerts per year.  Dance Science majors must audition at least once each semester.

Each student awarded a scholarship will sign a contract that may enforce additional requirements for maintaining the award for the year.  These requirements vary depending on the scholarship and the committee granting the award.  Most scholarships will require that the student do the following:

            • Receive a grade of B or better in the above listed studio-based courses.
            • Enroll in a minimum of two dance technique classes per semester, for a letter grade. Dance Science majors must enroll in at least one dance technique class per semester for a letter grade.
            • Retain or exceed at 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
            • Perform in at least one dance concert per year.  If you are not cast, or injury prevents you from performing, you may fulfill this requirement by arranging for a job of commensurate responsibility to be approved by the Department Chair.
            •  Serve the program, department, and university as an exemplary citizen.  This means volunteering, acting in a supportive, ethical, and exemplary manner, and serving in leadership roles.
            •  Complete the annual self-evaluation report and follow-up interview with the Chair and Scholarship Coordinator.  

The Audition:
•  Present a solo, in any style, from 1.5-2 minutes in length highlighting your strengths as a dancer and choreographer.  Remember, solos created for comp class may spectacularly fulfill the assignment at hand, but may not best show your technique and range.  Please put your best foot forward for the faculty in these solos.
            • Introduce yourself and your solo to the committee.
            • Bring music recorded on a CD or on an iPod; have someone prepared to run your music for you.
            • Costumes are not required, but appearance should be taken into consideration.

Going forward in many of the competitive scholarships (Lana Alper, DAAG, etc.) may require new solos to be choreographed and updated resumes to be turned in.  You might want to start working on your resumes!  Remember, clearly list all of your service to the department on the application.  Since many of our competitive awards are directly connected to your performance skill, the department will be looking at additional factors before determining Dance Department awards.

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