2025-26 audition information

Thank You to Everyone Who Auditioned for the 2025–2026 Dance Ensemble!

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out to audition this year. It was truly inspiring to see so much talent and so many familiar faces in the room!

As many of you know, our Dance Ensembles have been at full capacity for the past few years. This year was no different, and while that’s a testament to the strength of our program, it also means that, unfortunately, not everyone who auditioned made it into the Ensemble.

If your name does not appear on the list, please know that this decision was not made lightly. Many factors play into the selection process, including year in school, technical strength, mastery of fundamental skills, musicality, retention and pick-up of choreography, performance quality, and overall execution.

For those not listed on the 2025–2026 Ensemble, I encourage you to enroll in the Intermediate Dance class. Unlike this year, only students who auditioned will be placed in that class, which will allow us to move faster and go deeper. The Intermediate class will also understudy the Ensemble’s work to better prepare for future auditions. In addition, we’ll be bringing in guest choreographers and providing more performance opportunities, just like the Ensemble experience.

If you do not plan to enroll in Intermediate Dance next year, please email me directly at sbraccini@smuhsd.org so I can remove you from the roster.

I hope to see each and every one of you in class, but if I don’t, I hope you continue to dance in whatever way brings you joy and growth.

To those who made the Ensemble — Congratulations! I’ll be sending out information soon via the BAND app. Our first official meeting will take place when I return in July. Be on the lookout for the summer rehearsal schedule and uniform request forms.

Here’s to an exciting new year of dance ahead!

Sabrina Braccini


2025-2026 - Dance Ensemble

Please see me after finals on Thursday if you have a (*) by your name

Conway, Frances

Han, Addison

Harbin, Willow

Hartwig, Sierra

King, Jacinda

Ngo, Kylee

Thomson, Gillian (Gigi)

Young, Claire

Curtis, Mia

Feinberg, Siena

Fong, Kelsie

Haugh, Carmen

Lane, Cadence

Rayborn, Kate

Thomson, Maggie

Wright, Sammy

Ma, Felicity (*)

Bautista, Kylie

Hackett, Maria (Mia)

Haywood, Brooke (*)

Hu Barrera, Elizabeth (Elsa)

Ries, Josephine

Savage, Daniela

Felix, Sophia

Sanchez, Vanessa

Spillner, Sophie

Ahitani, Yotsuba

Yip, Maddy

Kononeko, Liza

Estalilla, Evelyn

Miles, Camila

The dance department at Hillsdale High School offers a comprehensive curriculum of classes in Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Musical Theater and World Dance. The dance program aims not only to give students a broad base of techniques, but also to encourage individual expression and creativity. The program will create serious and committed dancers and will prepare them for advanced programs as well as for future work with professional dance areas. 

Updated as of May 9th, 2025*

SCHEDULE

Monday, May 12 - Wednesday, May 14 @ 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. / Thursday, May 15 @ 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.


Monday, May 12th 

Everyone must attend, including auditioners for Intermediate dance class

  • Registration

  • Informational Meeting

  • Jazz Combination


Tuesday, May 13th

  • Skills Assessment 

    • Stretching & Flexibility

    • Pirouettes (singles and doubles)

    • Kicks

    • Jumps

    • Leaps

  • Lyrical/ Contemporary Combination


Wednesday, May 14th

  • Hip Hop Combination


Thursday, May 15th

  • AUDITIONS (scheduled until 7 p.m. but may vary  depending on number of auditioners)

AUDITION DETAIL:

  • Auditions will begin at 4 p.m. with a group warm up & review

  • Students will be divided by sequential numbers (groups of 5)

  • Students interested in Intermediate class ONLY will be evaluated first and together

  • Each group will be called in and skills & choreography assessed

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS (all dance applicants):

  • Must arrive ON TIME to scheduled audition time for registration

  • Must do self-warm-up prior to the audition

  • Must participate in all audition sessions (Jazz, Lyrical/ Contemporary, Hip Hop)

The dance panel will evaluate all students on the following:

  • Dance ability, mastery of technique in various styles (Strong Technique)

  • Physical/movement techniques; including coordination, strength, and flexibility

  • Musicality and level performance/projection

  • Potential for trainable growth

  • Serious commitment to dance training

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Do I need to attend all sessions if I am only interested the Intermediate level class?

A: Yes. Anyone interested in Intermediate class MUST attend all audition sessions.

Q: I was in the Intermediate class this year. Do I need to audition again for next year?

A: Yes, even if you were placed in Intermediate for the current school year, you are required to re-audition for the next school year.

Q: I am a male student interested in joining the Guest Ensemble. Do I need to attend auditions?

A: No, you do not need to attend auditions, but you do need to fill out the interest form. Please scan the QR code above to state your interest in participating in the 2025-2026 school year.

Q: How should I prepare for the audition?

A: Spend time prior to the audition reviewing basic skills and technique.

Q: What should I wear to the audition?

A: Dancers should be dressed in ALL BLACK. Dancers should wear form-fitting and appropriate dance clothes, leggings, shorts, tank top, etc.

Dancers should be barefoot or wear half soles and have tennis shoes (for Hip Hop).

Be sure your hair is in a neat, low pony with any bangs secured away from your face. Please be sure to bring extra hair ties, we will not provide “extras!”

You will need to bring at least 4 safety pins for you to pin your number to your clothing. Safety pins will be provided on the day of auditions, but have extra incase yours gets damaged or lost.

NO jewelry.

Q: What Factors Are Considered by the Dance Judges?

A: A copy of the Audition Score Sheet will be included in your audition packet. The ability to follow directions as demonstrated during the audition class, flexibility, coordination, musicality, and presentation are among the factors considered for acceptance.

Q: Is Previous Dance Training Necessary to be accepted?

A: No. Previous dance training is recommended, but not required.

YOU MUST HAVE A PRINTED, NON - RETURNABLE HEAD SHOT TO BE SUBMITTED

If you have any questions you may contact Sabrina Braccini at sbraccini@smuhsd.org 

*Auditions will be videotaped for staff use only. No distribution of auditions will be allowed.