°µÍø½âÃÜ

Since its inception in 2006, the Alonzo King LINES Ballet BFA Program at °µÍø½âÃÜ has graduated close to 200 dance artists. Alumni populate dance companies across the country and abroad. Some have established their own companies and schools, and many are contributing creative problem-solving skills to a wide variety of professions.
 
Unfortunately, the challenges of sustaining a vibrant BFA dance program in the current economic and academic landscape have been immense in recent years. The LINES Ballet BFA at °µÍø½âÃÜ has seen declining enrollment since the pandemic. Designed as a selective, conservatory-model training for pre-professional dancers, applicants are required to have years of prior dance training and to pass an audition to be admitted. The pandemic’s impact on dance training across the country and around the world has been devastating, and the LINES BFA Program at °µÍø½âÃÜ has been no exception.  As a small, selective program, the program’s margins are slim and the decline in enrollment in recent years has made the program unsustainable. And so, °µÍø½âÃÜ has made the difficult decision to stop admitting new students to the LINES Ballet BFA Program as of fall 2025.

All students and faculty currently associated with the BFA Program were informed in mid-October that °µÍø½âÃÜ and LINES Ballet are committed to the students currently in the program and will provide all courses and curriculum leading to their graduation, as well as advising and offering support for students who may consider transferring to another program.
 
Rehearsals and performances will continue unchanged and will remain part of the curriculum. There will be no changes to scholarships already awarded to enrolled students. The LINES Ballet BFA Program at °µÍø½âÃÜ program has been widely recognized for the excellence of its faculty and the unique connection to Alonzo King, one of this country’s most celebrated choreographers. LINES Ballet is extremely proud to have been a partner in this deeply impactful program, which has served as a launching pad for so many accomplished dancers. 

In the 2026/2027 academic year, the LINES Ballet BFA Program at °µÍø½âÃÜ will celebrate 20 years of artistic growth, discovery, and accomplishment, honoring the exceptional faculty, students, and guest artists that we have been honored to serve. Special 20th anniversary projects will include a photo exhibition on the university campus, performances featuring BFA program alumni, and opportunities for students, alumni, family, and friends to gather, reconnect, and celebrate this important milestone.

The faculty and staff of LINES Ballet and °µÍø½âÃÜ look forward to the next three years, and in particular the program’s 20th anniversary, as we guide our current BFA students in their journey toward graduation, uplifting and nurturing their artistry, and showcasing their work to Bay Area audiences. Students and parents/guardians with questions about the program should contact Program Director Marina Hotchkiss at Marina.Hotchkiss@dominican.edu.