Governor's School-The Dance

For gifted and highly motivated young dancers across Virginia, The Governor's School for the Arts (GSA) - The Dance program in Norfolk stands as a beacon of pre-professional training and artistic excellence. As one of Virginia's esteemed academic-year Governor's Schools, GSA Dance offers an unparalleled opportunity for high school students to immerse themselves in intensive dance education, honing their skills in a wide array of styles. This is not just another dance studio; it is a specialized environment designed to cultivate the next generation of dance professionals, providing rigorous instruction, diverse performance opportunities, and a pathway to top collegiate dance programs. For aspiring dancers and their families in the Virginia region, GSA Dance represents a pinnacle of artistic development and a crucial step towards a career in the performing arts.

The Governor's School for the Arts is renowned for its commitment to identifying and nurturing exceptional talent. The Dance program, in particular, embraces both the strength of traditional and 21st-century concert dance, ensuring that students receive a comprehensive and contemporary education. From daily technique classes to opportunities for improvisation, composition, and choreography, the curriculum is designed to push artistic boundaries and develop well-rounded dancers. Beyond the classroom, GSA Dance students frequently showcase their abilities in public performances, including joint ventures with professional companies like the Virginia Stage Company. This blend of intensive training, performance experience, and exposure to the professional world makes GSA Dance an extraordinary resource for any young Virginian serious about a future in dance.

The Governor's School for the Arts, including its renowned Dance program, is strategically located at 325 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23510, USA. This address places it in the vibrant heart of downtown Norfolk, within the historic Monroe Building. The central location offers excellent accessibility for students commuting from various parts of the Hampton Roads region, including Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, and Suffolk. While students typically attend their academic classes at their regular high schools in the morning, regional school divisions often provide transportation to GSA for their afternoon arts training, making the commute manageable for enrolled students. Being in a bustling downtown area, the location provides access to nearby amenities and cultural institutions, enriching the overall experience for students. Its integration into Norfolk's urban core underscores its role as a significant cultural and educational hub for gifted arts students across Virginia.

• Pre-Professional Dance Training: Offers intensive, high-level training specifically designed to prepare gifted high school students for collegiate dance programs and professional careers.
• Diverse Dance Styles: Provides instruction in a broad range of styles, including:
  • Ballet (Classical Ballet Technique, Variations, Men's Technique, Partnering, Historical Dance)
  • Modern/Contemporary Dance (Daily contemporary modern technique classes, Improvisation, Composition, Choreography)
  • Jazz
  • Hip-Hop
  • African Dance
  • Pantomime/Acting for Dancers
  • Yoga and Pilates (as complementary training)
• Rigorous Daily Classes: Students receive several hours of specialized dance training each weekday afternoon during the regular school year, complementing their morning academic studies.
• Performance Opportunities: Students showcase their skills multiple times annually, often through joint performances with professional organizations like the Virginia Stage Company. The department also hosts regional high school dance festivals.
• Audition-Based Admissions: Admission is highly selective, requiring a comprehensive audition process where applicants demonstrate artistic potential, talent, and eagerness to learn.
• College-Preparatory Curriculum: The program's intensity and breadth aim to prepare students for auditions at prestigious national universities and conservatories like Juilliard.
• Summer Programs: Offers summer dance intensives, such as Ballet Intensive and Modern Intensive, and an immersive program for younger dancers (grades 6-8) to explore various dance forms.
• Mentorship and Professional Exposure: Students have opportunities to train and perform with professional artists and visiting faculty from university dance departments.

• Elite Statewide Program: As one of Virginia's Governor's Schools, it offers a specialized, state-supported educational pathway for identified gifted students in the arts.
• Comprehensive Curriculum: The dance program is physically demanding and rewarding, covering both traditional and 21st-century concert dance forms, with a strong emphasis on contemporary techniques.
• Exceptional Performance Venues: Students train and perform in high-quality facilities, potentially including the Wells Theatre, which is home to the Virginia Stage Company, offering a near-professional performance experience.
• Highly Selective Admission: Students are chosen through a rigorous audition and application process, ensuring a cohort of truly talented and dedicated individuals.
• Path to Higher Education: The program boasts a strong track record of alumni acceptance into prestigious national universities and conservatories, reflecting the quality of its pre-professional training.
• Integrated Artistic Development: Beyond technique, the curriculum encourages intellectual curiosity, creative thinking, self-discipline, and the development of a unique artistic voice.
• Experienced Faculty: Students are taught by professional artists and educators dedicated to guiding young artists through intense arts instruction.
• Community and Collaboration: The school fosters a stimulating environment where students are part of an interdisciplinary arts community, with opportunities for collaborative performances.

Address: 325 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23510, USA

Phone: (757) 628-2746

For high school students in Virginia with a profound passion and talent for dance, The Governor's School for the Arts - The Dance program in Norfolk is unequivocally suitable and, in many cases, the ideal choice. Its suitability for locals is rooted in its unique position as a state-sponsored, pre-professional arts institution that offers an unparalleled level of specialized training right here in the Commonwealth.

Firstly, for families in the Hampton Roads area and beyond, the opportunity to access such an elite and rigorous dance program without needing to relocate is immense. While the admissions process is highly competitive and audition-based, for those accepted, it provides a world-class education that would otherwise require enrollment in expensive private conservatories. The local school divisions' support, including transportation provisions for GSA students, further integrates this exceptional opportunity into the fabric of daily life for many Virginia families.

Secondly, the comprehensive curriculum that spans classical ballet, modern, jazz, and other contemporary forms ensures that students receive a versatile and relevant dance education. This breadth prepares them not just for performances but for the demanding and evolving landscape of collegiate dance programs and professional careers. The consistent performance opportunities, often in collaboration with professional companies, provide invaluable real-world experience that is rare at the high school level.

Finally, beyond the technical skills, GSA Dance fosters a nurturing yet challenging environment where students are encouraged to develop their artistic voice, critical thinking, and self-discipline. For local students who dream of a career in dance, this program offers the mentorship, resources, and peer community necessary to achieve their highest potential, all while remaining connected to their Virginia roots. It’s a vital institution that enriches the cultural landscape of the region by cultivating the artistic talent of its brightest young citizens.

Governor's School-The Dance

325 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23510, USA