Brenau’s Department of Dance offers an uplifting space that fosters creativity and pushes our students toward their artistic goals. We understand the impact dance has on society and culture, and carry this purpose with us both inside and outside the studio. As a dance student, you’ll train rigorously in an empowering, collaborative environment that prepares you to succeed as a creative artist, educator and scholar.

Why Brenau Dance?

  • Perform at multiple venues and shows inside and outside Brenau
  • Choreograph artistic works for the stage
  • Choose from one of six concentrations: advanced ballet, modern dance, dance pedagogy, dance movement therapy (minor), pre-occupational therapy or pre-physical therapy
  • Curate performative experiences for film, galleries, etc. 
  • Work with nationally and internationally recognized guest professional artists 
  • Complete a digital portfolio that will prepare you for your career 
  • Receive a paid internship with a professional dance company or art organization
Janan Mirza posing
Throughout my time at Brenau, the one thing that stood out to me and made my experience unique was the close-knit family created by my professors, colleagues and mentors. With this community, I was able to produce my best work, be authentically myself and make mistakes.
Laila Glover, performing on stage
Brenau gives me the opportunity to learn to love unexpected things. As a dance major, we have guest artists, and you’re able to get experience in different types of dance. I grew up with a classical ballet background. So, going from that to West African, modern and jazz, it’s definitely helped expand my wealth of knowledge of dance.

Upcoming Events

Internships & career development

When you graduate from the Department of Dance, you’ll be prepared to find a fulfilling career in the arts. In your senior year, you’ll create a portfolio, professional website and reel, and receive feedback from industry experts, giving you an advantage in the field.

We also partner with two organizations to offer paid internships to Brenau students.

  • Giordano Dance Chicago (Chicago): The joint collaboration between Brenau and Giordano Dance Chicago strengthens the development of career preparedness of young artists. Those who complete this educational internship learn valuable skills in arts administration and gain experience in observing professional dance rehearsals.
  • Aurora Theatre (Lawrenceville, Ga.): This internship prepares young dancers and choreographers to grow their artistic vision, communication, organization and problem solving skills. Interns complete administrative and production tasks, broadening their understanding of possible careers in the arts, including dance teacher, arts administrators, dance writer or dance business owner.

Learn more about our program

  • College of Fine Arts & Humanities, Dance

    Bachelor of Arts in Dance

    Undergraduate / BA

2022-2023 Audition Season Information

Auditions will take place at Brenau East Campus (1001 Chestnut St. Gainesville, GA 30501) on:

  • Sunday, October 16, 2022 at 8am. Check-in begins at 7:30am.
  • Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 9:30am. Check-in begins at 9am.

Prior to attending the audition, all dancers will need to complete the AUDITION AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION (PDF). Please complete this form and return as soon as you are able but no later than 3 days prior to the audition date.

  • For all Dance Forms: Solid color leotard, pink or skin tone tights, footwear appropriate for form (ballet: pink or skin tone ballet slipper, jazz-jazz shoes; modern: barefoot or socks). Those intending to audition for the Gainesville Ballet and/or the Ballet Concentration should also bring pointe shoes.
  • Men: Form-fitting shirt without logos, black tights or leggings, black, white, or skin tone ballet slippers
  • For jazz and modern: shorts or form-fitting pants may be worn
  • Hair should be in a low or high bun for women, or if the hair is too short, pulled back and out of the face. Hair should be completely secured using hairspray, hairpins, etc. No jewelry should be worn.

Please be sure to place yourself in a space large enough that your entire body can be seen in the camera view. You should be lit appropriately from the front. If we cannot see your whole body or if you are not lit well enough, we will not be able to give you an audition result.

Audition application must be submitted prior to the audition. Please download the Application (PDF).

To register for the audition and for additional questions, please email danceinfo@brenau.edu attaching a 1st arabesque photo, dance shot of your choosing (this can be any live action shot you would like, but should only be you in the shot) in addition to the audition and scholarship application found at the link above. Please also include any links to supporting material.

Supporting Material: Although not required, you are welcome to submit supporting documents, videos, or other media which may highlight your talents in dance, academics, or community engagement activities. Supporting materials could but are not limited to: video of your original choreography, variations or other solos you have danced within the last 2 years, letters of support recommendation, essays, resume, etc.

We will email all applicants a few days prior to the audition letting you know your interview time slot.

Please email danceinfo@brenau.edu with any questions!

If admitted into the dance program, students may elect to pursue the Bachelor of Arts in dance with one of the following concentrations: ballet, modern dance, jazz/musical theatre, pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, or Dance/Movement Therapy. Students may also choose to pursue a double major or dual degree in another subject but must declare dance as their primary major.

All prospective dance majors must audition to be considered as a dance major and for a scholarship. The audition will be used for faculty to place students in the appropriate technique class level, to advise students in their pursuit of a dance degree, and to assess students for the possibility of being awarded a talent-based scholarship. Those being considered for the scholarship will participate in a brief interview with faculty following the audition. Recipients of dance scholarships will receive a contract of expectations including the expectation to register for technique and repertoire classes every semester. Participation in faculty and guest choreography and/or as a company member of the Gainesville Ballet Company is required. Dance scholarships are part of the total aid package and will be announced by the Office of Financial Aid.

Auditions include a ballet technique class, modern dance and jazz dance center combinations, and an improvisation problem. An interview is part of the audition process. Interviews are held after the audition class. If the student is unable to attend any of the audition dates, it is possible to audition by video (email danceinfo@brenau.edu for information). However, an audition in person is preferred.

The completed Dance Scholarship and Audition Form (Document) and a full-body photo of the applicant in dance clothing performing first arabesque should be submitted prior to the audition. The photo is for the purpose of audition identification only; please do not use a performance picture in costume or make-up.

We strongly encourage you to visit the campus before making a final college decision. Schedule a tour to see the campus, visit with an Admissions Counselor, meet a dance faculty member, talk with a current dance major, and find a home for your next extraordinary experience! Contact an Admissions Counselor at admissions@brenau.edu or call 770.534.6100 or 1.800.252.5119.

For electronic submissions, please see the Video Submission Instructions document for more information.

Dancers should currently be training at least 10 hours per week for a minimum of three years and must have a working knowledge and understanding of the following principles:

  • Proper placement
  • Coordination and épaulement
  • Weight shifting
  • Adaptability
  • Musicality

Our Faculty & Staff

Contact Us Today

John Streit
Assistant Professor of Dance and Recruiting Director
770-534-6245
danceinfo@brenau.edu