The mission of the Garrison Dance Department is to build an appreciation and love for dance as an art form, while also building technically strong and versatile dancers. 

Early elementary grades are introduced to proper dance etiquette, creative movement, and ballet. As students near the end of elementary school, more emphasis is placed on ballet technique to prepare students auditioning for the Middle School Garrison Dance Program. Once accepted, grades 6-8 continue studying ballet and are introduced to Modern Dance. Other styles of dance are introduced as well and select students who are strong enough physically and technically begin to study pointe (although pointe work is not a requirement of the program). 

The Garrison Dance Department performs at community events, dance conventions, and arts showcases throughout the year and concludes each school year with a Spring Finale Performance. The productions range in style and include choreography by faculty, guest artists, alumni, and students. 

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Dance Audition Modality:  Students will participate in an in-person audition at Garrison School for the Arts. The audition will consist of solo presentations and a 45-minute ballet class.  

Preparing for Audition: Each candidate will choreograph a 45 second solo in preparation for the audition. They will perform this solo individually in front of the judges.  The solo should be 45 seconds long. It should include 2 jumps and 2 turns. The music should be instrumental music only. The styles of dance should be ballet, modern, jazz and/or contemporary. Dancers may extend the 45-second solo time ONLY if performing a classical ballet variation.  

Audition attire: 

• Females- Black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes. No warm-ups or cover up skirts.

 • Males- White t-shirt (tucked in), black gym shorts or male ballet tights, black ballet or jazz shoes.