ONLINE APPLICANT

Students interested in taking a dance class through the CPFA Online! program should indicate this in their application for admission/audition interview and are not required to submit a dance audition video.

ON-SITE APPLICANT

Students interested in taking a dance class through the CPFA On-Site Program should include any prior dance experience in their online application. A dance video is not required. 

How are students assessed by the Dance Department?

After completing the application for admission, all on-site applicants will be required to participate in an on-site audition (see step #6).

Students with prior dance experience who are interested in taking a dance class at CPFA should be prepared to perform a 1 minute dance in any style and be prepared to demonstrate skills as requested by the dance teachers. While the solo performance is optional, the audition allows dance instructors to more accurately assess each student’s form, technique, individuality, and prior experience. (See example below for Ballet)

Students with no prior dance experience who are interested in taking a dance class are encouraged to share their interest with the dance faculty during the dance portion of the on-site audition day. Faculty members are happy to discuss what studying dance at CPFA could look like for them.

• BALLET

  • Those with Ballet experience are encouraged to demonstrate (to the best of their ability) at the audition:

• Pirouette combination that shows en dehors turns

• 16 changements and a petite allegro

• Traveling jump combination that shows saut de chat

Please email the CPFA Dance Department Chair, Lisa Carey, directly at lcarey@palcs.org with any dance related questions. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• 3 - 4 examples of completed creative projects with attention to craftsmanship (sketchbook, digital art, drawings, paintings, crafts, sewing, sculptures, ceramics) 

• 1 of your examples must be a careful observational drawing* of an object(s) or still life

*What is an observational drawing? A drawing that renders an actual object that the student observes on location. Example objects could include, vases, pots & pans, glassware, shoes, sculptures etc. Your drawing will be evaluated on the following criteria: a strong sense of line, shape/form, value (shading / an understanding of a light source), dynamic composition, and proportion.

HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: 

• Applicant Portfolio MUST contain a minimum of five strong artworks. These five submissions should adhere to the portfolio guidelines and include the REQUIRED 3 assignments (as listed below):

PORTFOLIO GUIDELINES (required)

• Portfolios must be presented clearly and demonstrate careful craftsmanship. 

• Only original artwork is accepted, no plagiarism or direct copies/tracings of cartoons, anime or characters. 

• Include a variety of mediums (ex: charcoal, digital, paint, mixed-media, graphic design, sculpture, photography, ceramics) Sculptural Examples can be made from materials such as: wire, cardboard, wood, paper, metal, fabric, yarn, ceramics or air dry clay.

• All work should be fully realized/completed (except for sketchbook)

• Students should be prepared to discuss their work in the interview and offer explanations for inspiration, concept, construction, and materials used

ASSIGNMENTS (required)

• Sketchbook pages (2-3) of past, or present work, that demonstrates brainstorming, ideas or concept sketches. 

• A “sustained study” observational piece that demonstrates understanding of direct observation. This can be a still-life (with 3-5 objects), figure or self portrait. This can be a drawing or painting. Your drawing will be evaluated on the following criteria: a strong sense of line, shape/form, value (shading / an understanding of a light source), dynamic composition, and proportion.

• Create a piece of art from your imagination. This work should show careful planning and imaginative thinking - must be in color. Can be two or three-dimensional. 

Please email the CPFA Fine Arts Department Chair, Daphne Okcuoglu, directly at dokcuoglu@palcs.org with any fine art related questions.

VOCAL

If you are interested in taking a Vocal Music class through either the On-Site or CPFA Online! program, please submit a video recording of you performing a song:

• • Please state your name and the name of the song you will be performing.

  • You are required to have a backing track or an accompaniment to your song.  A cappella will not be accepted. 

  • Please note that if you wish to audition for a Musical Theatre class, there are additional requirements listed below under Theatre.

  • Students interested in the On-Site program will participate in a group vocal warm-up and will learn the melody of a folk song sung in unison as part of your On-Site audition day. Be prepared to sing if you are interested in taking any vocal classes or a musical theatre class. You do not have to prepare any additional material.

PIANO

If you are interested in taking a Piano class through either the On-Site or CPFA Online! program, please submit a video of you playing either a piano or electronic keyboard containing the following content:

• To the best of your ability, please demonstrate at least 3 major scales in 2 octaves if possible, 1 octave as necessary.

• If you have studied minor scales, please perform 1 minor scale and 2 major scales.

• Play a short piece of your choosing (60-90 seconds) showing your proficiency level on your instrument.

• If you are a beginner, please mention in your application that you are a beginner and would like to study piano. You do not have to submit a piano performance video.

WIND and STRING INSTRUMENTS

Beginner Middle School students (On-Site only): If you are a middle school student who does not play an instrument but are interested in starting to study a new instrument, please indicate which instrument you would like to pursue. CPFA does not accept beginners on wind and string instruments for grades 9-12.

Please note that you should be able to have your instrument (rented or owned) to use both in class and at home. Some larger instruments can be kept at home for practicing while the student uses a school-owned instrument on site.

For all students who are currently playing an instrument for both the On-Site and CPFA Online! program, or wish to audition on multiple instruments, please submit a video recording containing the following content. 

(String instrumentalists, please make sure that your left hand and bow are on camera. Wind instrumentalists, please make sure your hands and face are on camera.)

• Three major scales of your choice in 2 octaves when possible, 1 octave if necessary

• A short piece (60-90 seconds) in which you demonstrate your abilities. The piece does not have to have an accompaniment. Please choose a piece that demonstrates as many as possible of the following:

  • 1. Your playing range (low to high)

    2. Articulations (slurs, staccato, legato)

    3. Phrasing, dynamics, and other expressive elements

• If you have a jazz background, please include a performance of a jazz standard of your choice with at least one chorus of improvisation. The song does not have to be memorized. Playing your standard over a recorded rhythm section accompaniment is preferred.

• Students interested in the On-Site program will participate in a group sight reading activity during your On-Site audition day. Please bring your instrument with you. You do not have to prepare anything to play during the live audition day - just be ready to read some duets or trios and have fun playing with fellow musicians.

PERCUSSION

CPFA does not have classes in percussion performance, but we do accept drum set players or concert/marching snare drummers who are interested in participating in our Chamber Orchestra, Modern Band, and Honors Jazz Ensemble. 

Please ensure that your snare drum and arms up to the elbows are visible on your video when playing rudiments.

Please submit a video demonstrating the following content:

• As many of the following snare drum rudiments as you are capable of, from a slow tempo increasing to as fast as you can control, back to slow

  • 1. Single and double paradiddle

    2. Alternating flams

    3. Flam taps

    4. Flam accents

    5. 5, 7, and 9 stroke rolls (closed and open strokes)

    6. Concert percussionists interested in the On-Site program will be asked to sight read a snare duet during the On-Site audition day. Please bring a pair of sticks of your choice. You do not have to prepare any other material.

• If you play drum set, please submit a video demonstrating the following comping patterns

  • 1. Mid-tempo rock backbeat

    2. Mid- or up-tempo swing

    3. Mid- or up-tempo jazz waltz

    4. Latin (any style and tempo)

• Drum set players interested in the On-Site program will be asked to play in a combo setting during the On-Site  audition day. Please bring a pair of sticks of your choice. You do not have to prepare any other material.

GUITAR

If you are interested in taking a Guitar class through either the On-Site or CPFA Online! program, and are not a beginner, please submit a video recording of you performing a short piece (60-90 seconds) in which you demonstrate your abilities. Please include any of the following items, if you can do them (this is to determine the appropriate level of placement):

• Chords

• Melody (performed on guitar not vocal)

• Pentatonic scale (any key)

• Major scale (any key)

• Major 7th chord, Dominant seventh chord, Minor seventh chord

• Be prepared to discuss if you can or cannot read standard music notation (chords and melodies).

If you are a beginner, please mention in your application that you are a beginner and would like to study guitar. You do not have to submit a guitar performance video.

If you have a jazz background, please include a performance of a jazz standard of your choice with at least one chorus of comping and one chorus of improvisation. The song does not have to be memorized.  Playing your standard over a recorded rhythm section accompaniment is preferred.

Guitar players interested in the On-Site program will receive an individual consultation with our guitar instructor. Please bring an acoustic or electric guitar with you (do not bring pedal boards, please). You do not have to prepare any additional material.

Please email the CPFA Music Department Chair, Mr. Thomas West, directly at twest@palcs.org with any music related questions. 

THEATRE

Students interested in taking a Theatre class through either the On-Site or CPFA Online! program must submit a 1-2 minute video recording of themselves performing a monologue.    

• • State your name, character (if available), and playwright (if available) for the camera before performing your piece. This is called “slating.” Look directly into the camera while slating.

  • When performing your monologue, look slightly off to the side of the camera as if you are talking to another character (try to keep your head straight on with the camera without looking directly into the lens unless you are talking directly to the audience).

  • Film yourself from the waist up (medium shot).

  • We prefer that monologues be from published plays, however, monologues from the internet, monologue books, or self-written pieces are accepted. 

  • We prefer that the monologue performance be memorized; however, reading from a script for beginning actors is acceptable.

  • If you do not have a monologue you may use the monologue from this link: CPFA Theatre Audition Monologue

MUSICAL THEATRE

Students interested in taking a Musical Theatre class through either the On-Site or CPFA Online! program must also submit a video recording singing sixteen bars of a song from the musical theatre genre.

• Begin by stating your name, character (if available), the name of the musical, and the title of the song directly to the camera. This is called slating. Look straight into the camera while slating.

• Students may sing with either a backing (instrumental) track or a live accompanist. Both are excellent and appropriate supports for a musical theatre audition.

• For either option, please ensure the sound is well balanced in your recording: your voice should be clearly heard above the music at all times.

• If using a live accompanist, they should remain off-camera during the recording.

• High school students, or students entering high school, must sing with a backing track or live accompaniment. A cappella performances are only acceptable for middle school students, though accompaniment is still strongly encouraged.

FILM AND MEDIA

• High School students interested in taking Film and Media Production or Screenwriting at the On-Site program are strongly encouraged to submit at least one film, or supporting film production materials (screenplays, storyboards, etc.)

• Students interested in taking Honors Film and Media Production, Honors Screenwriting, or Film Directing Techniques at the On-Site program must submit at least one film, or supporting film production materials.

• Film and video submissions should be no longer than 5 minutes.

Please email the CPFA Theatre Department Chair, Jason Greenfield, directly at jgreenfield@palcs.org with any theatre related questions.