Students currently in 8th-11th grade can apply for the 5-day/week Half-Day Arts Conservatory (9-12 Grade).

It is strongly recommended that all students first attend the NOCCA Dance Audition Information Session before attempting the official NOCCA Dance audition. In order to have the necessary skills required to pass the NOCCA audition, students should have been taking dance classes for at least on full year with a professional and qualified instructor that is a specialist in ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, or tap dance.

With your completed application:

Film yourself answering the following interview questions:

• What style of dance are you strongest in? (ex. ballet, hip hop, jazz, etc.)
• Describe your interest in dance, and what role you see dance having in your future post high school.
• Describe an experience that reflects your passion for dance.
• Describe a specific instance when you received a personal correction in dance class.
• What was the correction?
• How did it make you feel when you received the critique?
• 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.

In addition to department requirements, each applicant 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.
   

Prepare for the audition:
Auditioning students are expected to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in dance with professional potential by taking abbreviated dance classes in classical ballet, modern, jazz, and tap. The audition will conclude with an improvisation section during which auditioning students will have an opportunity to showcase their best movement qualities. Choreography should NOT be prepared for this audition, and auditioning students should be prepared to take instructions from the NOCCA dance faculty.

Dress Requirements-Students should be fully and appropriately dressed for the audition. Hair must be secured away from the face, off the neck in a tight bun or puff for natural hair. Fingernails must be clipped at the fingertip. Jewelry (earrings, bracelets or anklets, necklaces, rings and watches) must be removed before entering the classroom. Additional garments such as warm up clothes are not permitted.

Female Dance Attire:

• Ballet – Black leotard, pink or flesh tone tights, pink or flesh tone ballet slippers, pink or flesh tone pointe shoes, NOTE- tights and ballet or pointe shoes must always match in color
• Jazz – Black leotard, black tights (footless or convertible), black or flesh tone jazz shoes, (no jazz sneakers)
• Modern & Improvisation – Black leotard, black tights (footless or convertible), no shoes (barefoot)
• Tap – Black leotard, black tights (footless or convertible), black Oxford style lace-up (no slip-on) tap shoes

Male Dance Attire:

• Ballet – White T-shirt, black tights, dance belt, thin white socks, and white ballet shoes
• Jazz – White T-shirt, dance belt, black tights (footless or convertible), black jazz shoes (no jazz sneakers)
• Modern & Improvisation – White T-shirt, dance belt, black tights (footless or convertible), no shoes (barefoot)
• Tap – White T-shirt, dance belt, black tights (footless or convertible), black Oxford style lace-up (no slip-on) tap shoes
   

Assessment at the audition:
All auditioning students will be scored on Technical Ability/Execution, Recall of Exercises/Combinations, and Performance/Artistry. Students auditioning for the Half-Day Arts Conservatory (9-12 Grade) should demonstrate at least an intermediate level of proficiency in at least two of the four dance disciplines below.

• Classical Ballet – The ballet portion of the audition will consist of one ballet barre exercise and one center ballet exercise. Auditioning students should be prepared to demonstrate proficiency in the execution of plie, tendu, proper body alignment, transfer of weight, balance, clean and clear positions of the feet, port de bras and smooth transitions between steps. Flexibility of the back/legs/feet, foot articulation, energy, musicality and the ability to pick up and recall combinations quickly are also assessed. 
• Modern – The modern portion of the audition will consist of two modern center exercises in the Horton technique and one contemporary phrase of choreography. Auditioning students should be prepared to demonstrate body awareness, proper body alignment, transfer of weight, balance, proper usage of the head and arms and smooth transitions between steps. Flexibility of the back/legs/fee, foot articulation, energy, musicality and the ability to pick up and recall combinations quickly are also assessed.
• Jazz – The jazz portion of the audition will consist of one center jazz exercise, one across the floor progression and one phrase of jazz choreography. Auditioning students should be prepared to demonstrate proper body alignment, transfer of weight, balance, proper usage of the head and arms and smooth transitions between steps.  Flexibility of the back/legs/feet, foot articulation, energy, musicality and the ability to pick up and recall combinations quickly are also assessed.
• Tap – The tap portion of the audition will consist of a tap warm-up and one rudimentary exercise. Auditioning students should be prepared to demonstrate foot articulation, rhythmic accuracy, transfer of weight and balance. Energy, musicality and the ability to pick up and recall combinations quickly are also assessed.
• Improvisation – During the improvisation portion, auditioning students will have an opportunity to showcase their best movement qualities. Three different songs will be played for one minute each, and auditioning students will be expected to improvise movement to each one. Auditioning student should be able to demonstrate their own personality, performance quality, and an ability to connect to the music. No choreographed movement is allowed.

Acceptance and Advancement:
All students are admitted on a probationary basis.

The dance faculty may at any time decide it is in the best interest of the student to be removed from the program. Consistent participation, as well as attendance, punctuality, preparation, good behavior and self-discipline are absolutely critical for continued enrollment at NOCCA. 

Accepted students for the regular 5-day/week Half-Day Arts Conservatory (9-12 Grade) are placed into Level I. Entrance into subsequent levels is based on satisfactory completion of a full school year’s study in the current level. Students should maintain a B average GPA to remain in good standing. Any student who fails any class during a quarter is placed on probation via a Growth Plan. While at NOCCA, students undergo periodic counseling sessions with dance faculty to discuss progress and overall assessment. Faculty may request that an individual repeat any level and all decisions by faculty are final.
 

Students currently in 6th-7th grades may apply for After School Arts Instruction (7-8 Grade)

The NOCCA Dance Department accepts talented students who have an aptitude and interest in pursuing classical and contemporary forms of dance. Academic and performance standards are the same for all students, whether or not a career path is ultimately followed. 
The NOCCA Middle School Dance Prep program is a comprehensive, in-depth study for middle school students in 7th and 8th grade who are preparing for serious training in dance. Our ultimate goal is to develop and mentor fine young students who have an avid interest in the arts, giving them a solid technical and artistic foundation in dance. Students are instructed in classical ballet, modern, jazz, and tap.

With your completed application:
Film yourself answering the following interview questions:

• What style of dance are you strongest in? (ex. ballet, hip hop, jazz, etc.)
• Describe your interest in dance, and what role you see dance having in your future post high school.
• Describe an experience that reflects your passion for dance
• Describe a specific instance when you received a personal correction in dance class.
• What was the correction?
• How did it make you feel when you received the critique?
• 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.

In addition to department requirements, each applicant 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.
   

Prepare for the audition:

Auditioning middle school students are expected to demonstrate a high level of talent and potential by taking abbreviated dance classes in classical ballet, modern, jazz, and tap. The audition will conclude with an improvisation section during which auditioning students will have an opportunity to showcase their best movement qualities. Choreography should NOT be prepared for this audition, and auditioning students should be prepared to take instructions from the NOCCA dance faculty.

Dress Requirements-Students should be fully and appropriately dressed for the audition. Hair must be secured away from the face, off the neck in a tight bun or puff for natural hair. Fingernails must be clipped at the fingertip. Jewelry (earrings, bracelets or anklets, necklaces, rings and watches) must be removed before entering the classroom.

Female Dance Attire:

• Ballet – Black leotard, pink or flesh tone tights, pink or flesh tone ballet slippers, pink or flesh tone pointe shoes, NOTE- tights and ballet or pointe shoes must always match in color
• Jazz – Black leotard, black tights (footless or convertible), black or flesh tone jazz shoes, (no jazz sneakers)
• Modern & Improvisation – Black leotard, black tights (footless or convertible), no shoes (barefoot)
• Tap – Black leotard, black tights (footless or convertible), black Oxford style lace-up (no slip-on) tap shoes

Male Dance Attire:

• Ballet – White T-shirt, black tights, dance belt, thin white socks, and white ballet shoes
• Jazz – White T-shirt, dance belt, black tights (footless or convertible), black jazz shoes (no jazz sneakers)
• Modern & Improvisation – White T-shirt, dance belt, black tights (footless or convertible), no shoes (barefoot)
• Tap – White T-shirt, dance belt, black tights (footless or convertible), black Oxford style lace-up (no slip-on) tap shoes
   

The Audition Assessment: 
All auditioning students will be scored on Technical Ability/Execution, Recall of Exercises/Combinations, and Performance/Artistry. Students auditioning for the middle school program should demonstrate a strong passion for dance and the ability to learn beginner to intermediate levels of technique in at least two of the four dance disciplines below.

• Classical Ballet – The ballet portion of the audition will consist of one ballet barre exercise and one center ballet exercise. Auditioning students should be prepared to demonstrate proficiency in the execution of plie, tendu, proper body alignment, transfer of weight, balance, clean and clear positions of the feet, port de bras and smooth transitions between steps. Flexibility of the back/legs/feet, foot articulation, energy, musicality and the ability to pick up and recall combinations quickly are also assessed. 
• Jazz – The jazz portion of the audition will consist of one center jazz exercise, one across the floor progression and one phrase of jazz choreography. Auditioning students should be prepared to demonstrate proper body alignment, transfer of weight, balance, proper usage of the head and arms and smooth transitions between steps.  Flexibility of the back/legs/feet, foot articulation, energy, musicality and the ability to pick up and recall combinations quickly are also assessed.
• Modern – The modern portion of the audition will consist of two modern center exercises in the Horton technique and one contemporary phrase of choreography. Auditioning students should be prepared to demonstrate body awareness, proper body alignment, transfer of weight , balance, proper usage of the head and arms and smooth transitions between steps. Flexibility of the back/legs/fee, foot articulation, energy, musicality and the ability to pick up and recall combinations quickly are also assessed.
• Improvisation – During the improvisation portion, auditioning students will have an opportunity to showcase their best movement qualities. Three different songs will be played for one minute each, and auditioning students will be expected to improvise movement to each one. Auditioning student should be able to demonstrate their own personality, performance quality, and an ability to connect to the music. No choreographed movement is allowed.
• Tap – The tap portion of the audition will consist of a tap warm-up and one rudimentary exercise. Auditioning students should be prepared to demonstrate foot articulation, rhythmic accuracy, transfer of weight and balance. Energy, musicality and the ability to pick up and recall combinations quickly are also assessed. 
   

Acceptance and Advancement:
All students are admitted on a probationary basis.

The dance faculty may at any time decide it is in the best interest of the student to be removed from the program. Consistent participation, as well as attendance, punctuality, preparation, good behavior and self-discipline are absolutely critical for continued enrollment at NOCCA. 

Accepted Middle School students are placed in the 4-day Prep Program offered Middle School students. Prep students are required to attend Monday-Thursday from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. during the regular school year at NOCCA. Students enrolled in the Prep Program would need to re-audition when they are in 8th grade in order to be considered for acceptance into the Half-Day Arts Conservatory (9-12 Grade) for the following school year, but acceptance is not guaranteed.