Classic Dance Ensemble logo

What is Classic Dance Ensemble?

Classic Dance Ensemble (CDE) is a non-profit, co-ed student pre-professional collegiate dance company founded in 1989 by Prairie View A&M University students, Bongi Sithole, and Jennifer Adams. The company’s first dance director, Ms. Paula Williams, graced the dancers with her wisdom and guidance ensuring that they ultimately continued their path as dancers by learning all classical dance genres. Students are not required to minor in dance in order to audition for the dance company.

The mission of CDE is to achieve excellence through dance, by portraying a commitment to discipline, technique, and dance education.

The company performs throughout the United States and for various departments and colleges on campus, which strengthens the connective link between academics and the performing arts. Ms. Sherry Harper is currently the Academic Dance Coordinator and Director for the university’s pre-professional collegiate dance company, Classic Dance Ensemble, which is a part of the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education, Health and Kinesiology Department.

Audition Application

Auditions
March 31, 2022

Please note, you may submit your documents and footage before or by March 31, 2022. Email application, headshots and further information/questions to shharper@pvamu.edu.

  • Experience/technique in two or more of the following genres of dance
    1. Ballet
    2. Contemporary Modern
    3. Jazz
    4. African
  • The skills listed below are not mandatory for auditions but are highly encouraged. Execution of specific movements will include, but will not be limited to:
    • Split – Left/Right/Center
    • Chassé
    • Triplets
    • Leg extensions (devant/derriére/á la seconde)
    • Turns: Pirouettes/Jazz Turns – Single/Double/Triple, Piqué Turns, Fouetté Turns, Turns en á la seconde, Chaînés
    • Leaps: Grand Jeté, en á la seconde, switch leaps
    • Hitch Kicks
    • Tilts & Tilt Jumps
    • C-jumps
    • Barrel
    • Calypso
    • Axel
    • Body Alignment during execution of movement, Stability & Endurance
  • Emotional Color – Perfect technique without emotion makes it hard to engage and move your audience.
  • Strength and Endurance
  • Attire – Please note, judges will need to be able to see the frame and alignment of the dancers’ body during movement. Please make sure that you adhere to the proper attire, or you will forfeit your opportunity to audition.
    1. Hair: Make sure hair is pulled back neatly off of the face (Bun or secure ponytail is suggested)
    2. Ladies: Leotard or fitted tank top, unitard/biketard, boy shorts accompanied with tights, leggings, jazz pants, bare feet and/or ballet/jazz shoes (Color – Black leotard, flesh tone tights)
    3. Males: Biker shorts, biketard, Black or White T-Shirt, Black tights, bare feet and/or black ballet/jazz shoes

  • Classic Dance Ensemble Audition Application
  • Signed Application Agreement
  • Waiver of Liability, signed by a legal guardian/parent if under 18 years of age
  • Headshot
  • Cumulative GPA = 2.0

  • Video Submission (Part I) – Choreography must portray technique from one of the following genres: Ballet, Contemporary Modern and/or Jazz
    1. Time Frame – Maximum two minutes (video must not exceed two minutes)
    2. How to submit video? Share your video via Google Drive
  • Video Submission (Part II) – Once judges review the registration form and video footage; students will receive notification for transition to the second round of auditions.
    1. Choreography – Students will learn pre-recorded choreography if they transition to the second round of auditions.
    2. Video Submission – Share your second video via Google Drive

Contact Us

Sherry Harper, MFA
Director of Classic Dance Ensemble and Dance Coordinator
Dance Lecture III

Email: shharper@pvamu.edu
Phone: (936) 261-3921

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 519 MS 1200
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, Texas 77446

Physical Address

Leroy Moore Intramural Gym – Suite 131