Tryouts and Recruitment

Spirit Squad    /    UVU Dance Team     /    Dance Auditions

Auditions and Recruitment

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the 2027-2028 Utah Valley University Dance Team!

Our program uses a hybrid recruitment model where we select up to 2 members to our program through recruitment and we select our other positions through an open audition.

The Utah Valley Dance Team is looking for advanced technical dancers who represent our team and University with pride and professionalism. We want dancers that are passionate about UVU and are serious about being a part of our program.

As a member of our team you will be a student-athlete. We are looking for individuals who will put a focus on being a student while maintaining the busy schedule that comes with an extracurricular collegiate sport.

At UVU, aside from skillset, we value the RIGHT team members. Although we are a highly competitive program, we spend most of our season supporting UVU at athletic events, supporting community events, and creating and performing in an annual dance team concert.

If our values and skills fit you as a dancer, then we encourage you to follow the recruitment process.

Recruitment Information

To be considered for recruitment you must complete the following steps:

  1. Application and common recruitment video submission (include a solo as part of your submission) - application and common recruitment video submission. This link will open August 1st, and the videos are due by January 1st.
  2. Attend at least one of our in-person clinics, camps, or intensives on UVU Campus before March 2027.

Recruitment Video Guidelines:

Please use the format provided by the NDCA. You can find the Common Recruit Video Guidelines HERE. Please include a solo for your submission to UVU.

  • video should be filmed horizontally
  • video must be filmed within the last 2 months
  • only one video of each skill in the video
  • videos should not be from a workshop, class, or clinic

We will send a confirmation email within 14 days of your submission that we have received your video.

Graduating high school seniors (class of 2027) or current UVU students/transfer students interested in being a part of the 2027-2028 Utah Valley University Dance Team can expect the following timeline:

Timeline for UVU Dance Team Recruitment:

August 1, 2026 - Registration form available on UVU Dance Team website. We will accept submissions until the January 1 deadline.

September 2026 – Spring 2027 - Evaluation period

March – April 2027 – up to 2 recruits announced

If you are not selected as a recruit for the UVU Dance Team, please attend our in-person audition in 2027.

Tryout Information

Application Information

Dates

April 25th, 2027 at 11:55 PM

Application Deadline

April 27th - 28th, 2027

Tryouts

2026-27 Dance Team Application

Qualifications & Program Requirements

  • Must be admitted to UVU at time of application
    Apply to UVU
  • Have a 2.5 minimum cumulative GPA at time of application 
  • Must maintain a 2.5 cumulative and semester GPA while participating in the program 
  • Must be a full-time student (enrolled in 12 credits or more) while participating in the program 
  • Commit to 10 – 15 hours per week for practice, meetings, appearances, performances, etc. during the fall/spring semester
  • Must attend and participate in all required camps, practices, and meetings during the summer semester
  • Pay annual program participation fee of $2,700.00 (payment plans available and fees are subject to change) 
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle free of eating disorders, self-mutilation, drug abuse, prescription drug abuse, alcohol abuse, inappropriate use of performance enhancing drugs, etc. 
  • Promote and actively contribute to a culture of teamwork, respect, professionalism, and punctuality 
  • Conduct and present oneself in a way that reflects professionalism, respect, and kindness towards others and the University both in person and on the internet 
  • Maintain and develop technical abilities while participating in the program 

Application Components

There are several components to the UVU Dance Team application, including a required $50 non-refundable audition fee and proof of a physical completed by a medical professional. Please read through all the application details and instructions to ensure you complete it correctly.

The following are the application components: 

  • General Student Information 
  • Participant Award (Scholarship) Information 
  • General Terms & Agreements ○ Acknowledgement of Required Dates & Practices 
  • Responses to Application Questions (short essay format) 
  • Resume Upload: Include all cheer training, leadership roles, stunting and tumbling experience, competition titles, and teaching or choreography opportunities you have had. 
  • Letter of Recommendation Upload 
  • UVU Physical Form Upload 
  • Reference Information 
  • Waiver Agreement 
  • Proof of $50 Audition Fee: Pay through the Spirit Squad Payment Portal and upload receipt.

UVU 2026 Jazz

Tryout Information

April 27th - 28th, 2027 - Sorensen Center Grande Ballroom

The first round begins at 4 pm with check-in starting at 3:30 pm.

UVU Dance Team tryouts happen in two rounds over the course of two days.

Candidates will be evaluated and scored on technical combinations demonstrating the skills listed below. Additionally, you will be asked to perform any elite technical, acro skills, improvisation, or stylized choreography that you may have. Participants will be notified at the conclusion of the first round if they advance to the second round.

After the first cut is made, those progressing to the second round will be taught 2 – 3 short combinations of contemporary, jazz, pom, and/or hip hop.

In addition to the skills audition, finalists will participate in an interview with the Spirit Squad staff. The new UVU Dance Team will be announced the following week.

Please wear appropriate dance attire that allows the judges to see the body move. We recommend wearing a comfortable jazz shoe or other appropriate footwear. Socks or bare feet are not recommended.

Skill Requirements

Do not perform any skills that have not been mastered prior to your tryout.

Advanced technical elements including minimum quint pirouette, advanced fouetté combinations including spotters

Advanced acro skills including but not limited to right and left aerial, rubber band, back handspring with variations, side sumi

*Utah Valley University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age (40 and over), disability status, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions, citizenship, genetic information, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.