Dance M.F.A.
Hollins’ Master of Fine Arts in Dance provides a wide range of experiences and opportunities. The degree program mentors students and exposes them to practitioners in the international dance field. M.F.A. students and faculty establish a unique community of committed artists/scholars. They range in age and experience and are working to sustain their careers and deepen their relationship to dance.
Degree Offered
Dance M.F.A.
All M.F.A. students gather for a total of eight weeks during the summer months (June through August). The degree requires a total of 60 credit hours. During these summer sessions, students spend five weeks at Hollins and travel to Frankfurt, Germany, for three weeks of summer study. The European Study is in collaboration with The Künstlerhaus Mousonturm, The Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts and The Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company. Christopher Roman curates and coordinates the European study experience.
Low & Year Residency
Using the resources of many institutions, the dance program offers three tracks that provide both flexibility and rigor.
Year Residency Track
The year residency track is ideal for recent graduates with an eye on the professional world of dance. Students accepted to the Year Residency Track spend fall and spring semesters at Hollins. Transfer credit is not accepted for students in the Year Residency Track.
More About the Year Residency Track
Low Residency Tracks
These tracks are designed for emerging artists, teachers, and dance professionals to accommodate their performance schedules. Professionals have a chance to expand their portfolio as they develop their careers. A panel of Hollins faculty and professionals in the field determine acceptance into these tracks.
More About the Two-Summer Track
More About the Three-Summer Track
Our Faculty
We are a diverse artistic community that creates a learning atmosphere where students and faculty work alongside one another. We expand and deepen our relationship to dance and the world around us. Our teaching reflects a wide range of interests and experiences.
From professional dance instructors and mentors, to visiting artists and choreographers, the influences are endless. If you learn from the best, you’ll discover new ways to express yourself and refine your own style.
OUR graduates
“I cannot stop raving about the Hollins program. My usual dialogue is, ‘It is a life-changing experience. Go to the program so you can self-actualize. You deserve it.’”
Tanya Wideman-Davis
“A pervasive sense of generosity filled this program, and the mentoring and one-on-one work were unparalleled.”
Helen Pickett
“Being in class with several individuals who direct their own companies inspired me to explore the possibility of founding my own. The mentorships I developed with my professors still provide support for the work I do and hope to do with my company.”
Iyun Harrison
Applying
A bachelor’s degree (with an undergraduate major in dance) or equivalent dance experience is required. Applicants must submit at least three letters of recommendation and a DVD of selected works.
The program offers artists fellowships, loans, and possible on-campus employment. The artist fellowship is based both on merit and need. This application is available as a downloadable PDF.
Other student scholarships are available. To apply for these, students must complete the FAFSA annually. Student loans are not available to international students.
Find out more details on applying
Tuition
- $902 per credit hour for 2016-17 and 2017-18
Fees
- New student nonrefundable deposit: $500
- Typical budget includes technology, media lab, thesis, and portfolio fees totaling approximately $1,100
- Housing at Hollins: $975 for housing in Tinker House
- Housing in Frankfurt: there is no charge for housing as long as students stay in the housing arranged by the program.
- Students are responsible for the travel expenses from Hollins to Frankfurt. A travel package is made available through Hollins providing a group rate rather than an individual rate. The cost of the travel package for summer 2016 was $1,765. A travel stipend of $450 was provided to help with the cost.
Want to Know More?
Program Director Jeffery N. Bullock is happy to answer your questions.