Days of Dance - Brenau University

Thank you for your interest in Brenau University’s Days of Dance event for high school students!

If you’d like to be added to our email list for information and updates, please send your contact information to danceinfo@brenau.edu, and let us know you’re interested in Days of Dance.

What is Days of Dance?

This is an opportunity for high-school-aged male and female dancers to experience what it is like to be a dancer at Brenau University. There will be two full days of classes taught by guest teachers. This is a wonderful opportunity to enhance your craft, experience dance on the college level, and have fun! Dancers will have the opportunity to interact with Brenau University Dance Department faculty, staff, and current dance majors. This is a great way to explore Brenau’s campus and dance facilities, as well!

Male and female dancers in their senior year of high school considering college (planning to enroll in fall or spring 2023) may use Days of Dance as an opportunity to audition for a Brenau University dance scholarship and placement in the program. Please note, if students plan to audition for a talent-based scholarship at Days of Dance, they must submit the Dance Program Placement and Scholarship Form and a full-body photo of the applicant in dance clothing performing first arabesque (for identification purposes) to danceinfo@brenau.edu at least 5 days prior to audition. Students must be pre-registered in order to audition the day of the event.

To audition for the Brenau University Dance program and/or the Summer Dance Intensive, dancers do not need to be registered for the Days of Dance event. Auditions will take place on Sunday, October 16th starting at 8 am. Check-in will begin at 7:30.

For more information on the dance scholarship, visit our Dance Department Page.

What’s the schedule?

Days of Dance will include the following:

Welcome session where students, parents, dance teachers, and studio directors have the opportunity to meet some of our faculty and staff and learn more about the dance program at Brenau
Audition class for seniors interested in auditioning for a talent-based scholarship and entrance into the dance program
Financial Aid and Admissions session and optional campus tours for parents, dance instructors, and studio directors
Three class sessions each day (with two to three classes offered each session for students to choose from)
Lunch for registered students (Visiting students will have the opportunity to have lunch with current Brenau dance majors)
Dance concert by participating schools and informal showcase by Brenau Department of Dance and the Gainesville Ballet Company in Brenau’s historic Pearce Auditorium
Ice Cream Social

Check back soon for this year’s schedule!

Where does Days of Dance take place?

Brenau University has two studio locations: the main campus Fitness Center (800 Brenau Lane, Gainesville, GA 30501) and the Brenau East campus (1001 Chestnut Street, Gainesville, GA 30501). Day of Dance will start at Brenau East, with students traveling to the Gainesville main campus for lunch, additional classes, and a reception at the end of the day. Students will need to provide their own transportation travel between Brenau East and the main campus.

Who are the teachers?

Jesse Zarrit (Shen Wei)
Nurzhan Kulybaev (Royal Winnipeg Ballet)
Natalaya Vayashenko (Fort Wayne Ballet)
Xavier Lewis (Atlanta based hip hop teacher, choreographer)
David Goldblatt (Dance for music)
Xavier Lewis (Hip Hop)
Brenau Faculty: Madia Cooper-Ashirifi (West African) Kristi Petty (Contact Improv), Michael and Kim Jablonski (Musical Theatre, Broadway), Amy Jacques (Dance/Movement Therapy), and John Streit (Ballet)
others TBA.

How much does it cost?

Days of Dance requires a nonrefundable registration fee of $100 for both Saturday and Sunday, or $50 for Sunday classes only. Students must pre-register for the event. No registrations will be accepted the day of the event, as there are a limited number of spaces to attend Days of Dance.

The non-refundable registration fee includes all classes, lunch for the student, an event t-shirt, and a performance, among other materials provided to registered students.

How should dancers dress?

Dancers should come prepared as they would for studio classes. Women should wear pink tights and a black leotard. Men should wear black tights, dance belt and a white, form-fitting shirt. Bring ballet slippers, pointe shoes (if you have pointe experience), tap shoes (if you plan to take the tap class) and jazz oxfords or dance sneakers. Hair should be neatly fastened away from the face. No large or dangling jewelry should be worn; watches and bracelets should be removed; and rings that protrude should be taken off. Do not wear baggy, torn, dirty, or stained clothing. Be neat and professional in your dress. Remember that you will be switching to different dance forms for each class, so prepare accordingly!

Can parents/studio directors attend Days of Dance?

Parents and studio directors are welcome to attend Days of Dance. There will be a breakout session for financial aid and admissions in the morning when classes start. Some classes will allow the option for parents/directors to sit in, but space will be limited. Campus is situated closely to the Gainesville Square, which hosts a coffee shop, shopping, and lunch options. Parents may pay at the door to eat lunch in the dining hall. There will also be the opportunity to take a tour of the main campus. Please be aware that students will need transportation to the main campus for the third set of classes, informal performance, and reception at the end of the day. Parents are invited to attend the informal performance and reception as well.