9th–12th Grade

Milwaukee High School of the Arts

9th–12th Grade

Milwaukee High School of the Arts

9th–12th Grade

Milwaukee High School of the Arts

Dance Program

The Dance Program at Milwaukee High School of the Arts (MHSA) is designed to teach students the business of being a dancer.

Our graduates are knowledgeable in African, ballet, jazz, modern, musical theater, and tap. With at least one dance class every day, dancers at MHSA are committed to exploring the study of dance and building strong foundations for a lifelong love of the art form.

Audition Requirements
Three students dancing on a stage.
Dance classes at MHSA are high level, high intensity classes. Our dancers strengthen their skills as artists and performers through a wide range of repertoire. While some students arrive with years of training, many have little to no formal experience with dance. Beginners start at Level 1 but work hard to excel to each next level, and we’ve had some rise all the way to Level 8. Students who put in the effort are successful in our program, which proves that it is passion and perseverance that truly make a dancer.

MHSA graduates often continue the study of dance in secondary education, and some have gone on to join dance companies around the country.

Curriculum

  • Beginning to advanced study in ballet, jazz, and modern
  • Workshops in African, aerobics, composition, improvisation, musical theater, and tap
  • Academic areas that include anatomy, dance history, injury prevention and treatment, nutrition, and writing for the professional dancer
A couple dancing on a stage.

Forms and Policies

Partnerships

We work with many local organizations and have hosted masterclasses with professional dancers, including:

  • Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
  • Atlanta Dance Connections
  • Danceworks
  • Milwaukee Ballet
  • Wild Space Dance
  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Dance Department
  • Xalaat

Performance Opportunities

There are many performance opportunities available at MHSA, and our students are encouraged to perform as often as possible. There are two annual main stage dance concerts: one with choreography by MHSA faculty and guest artists and another with advanced student choreography. Beginner-level students perform in annual recitals.