CPA & VPA audition information will be posted in December 2025.
The Creative and Performing Arts (CPA) Middle School dance program offers training in various dance genres such as Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and World Dance, but are not limited to just one. Appreciation of Dance as an art form is approached through studies in technique, dance history, arts integration and in school and outside performance opportunities.
In the CPA, we are here to teach dance – prior training is certainly valued, but we are first and foremost evaluating your potential and passion for dance. During your audition, we will be looking for students who:
Physically and verbally express their passion for the art of dance
Show a strong desire to work diligently on Dance technique
Display a willingness to accept and apply correction
Exhibit flexibility, a natural sense of movement, musicality, an innate ability to follow directions, maintain a positive attitude at all times and the physique & stamina appropriate for rigorous dance
Dance Attire:
Auditioning students should be in appropriate dance attire.
No jewelry, hair must be pulled back and secured (in a bun if possible). If the hair is too short for a bun, please secure the hair from the face with a headband and bobby pins.
No dance shoes required for the audition process, however if you have Ballet shoes and or Jazz shoes you may bring them. If you do not have Ballet or Jazz shoes bare feet are acceptable.
Option #1: any color leotard and footless or convertible dance tights (SEE BELOW)
Option #2: bike pants, jazz pants or non-baggy sweatpants and a white fitted t-shirt (SEE BELOW)
Once we are in receipt of your application, parents/students will receive a confirmation via email.
The CPA Middle School Dance Auditions will take place on Saturday, January 24, 2026. CPA Dance auditions will take place at their respective schools.
Students auditioning for the CPA Dance program at Benjamin D. Foulois Academy will report to:
Benjamin D. Foulois Academy
4601 Beauford Road
Suitland, MD 20746
Students auditioning for the CPA Dance program at Hyattsville Middle School will report to:
Hyattsville Middle School
6001 42nd Ave
Hyattsville, MD 20781
Students auditioning for the CPA Dance program at Thomas G. Pullen Academy will report to:
Thomas G. Pullen Academy
700 Brightseat Road
Landover, MD 20785
There will be a panel of Dance adjudicators who will score the audition process by using a rubric that focuses on the following:
Flexibility/ Extension, Projection of Movement & Artistry, Musicality & Timing, Movement Memory & Ability to Pick Up Movement, Technique, Alignment, Overall Dance Performance, and Improvisation.
Dancers will be taught by CPA Dance teachers/PGCPS Dance Teachers in the Ballet, Jazz, and Modern genres during the in-person audition. All dance combinations will be taught and learned on the spot.
Dancers will physically participate in the live IN-PERSON Dance audition during the time slot he/she was provided during the audition registration.
The audition will take place in a group setting during each of the technique classes (Ballet, Modern, Jazz). Every student will be provided a number to wear during the audition process so that they adjudicators can identify them and score them accordingly. Although students will take class as a group, they will be scored independently of one another.
Dancers will be asked to improvise (make up dance phrases in the moment) at the direction of the adjudication panel at the end of one of the previously learned Modern combinations. Improvisation should not be choreographed in advance prior to the audition.
There will be NO solo performance requirement for the CPA Dance audition.
Student must learn and perform all of the combinations including: Ballet Adagio (slow movement), Ballet Petit Allegro (small jumps), Modern combination and the Jazz combination.
SEND QUESTIONS TO THE DANCE SUPERVISOR:
Temisha K. Richardson - dance@pgcps.org