The Boston Conservatory

The Boston Conservatory trains exceptional young performing artists for careers that enrich and transform the human experience. Known for its multidisciplinary environment, the Conservatory offers fully accredited graduate and undergraduate programs in music, dance, and theater, and it presents more than 200 performances each year by students, faculty members, and guest artists. The intimacy of the Conservatory’s class settings provides a student-centered atmosphere that is uniquely intensive and supportive.

Since its founding in 1867, the Boston Conservatory has shared its talent and creativity with the city of Boston, the region, and the nation, and it continues to grow today as a vibrant community of artists and educators.

The Boston Conservatory Dance Division is one of the oldest degree-granting dance program in the United States. Founded in 1943 by dance innovator and instructor Jan Veen, the Dance Division was the first to offer ballet and modern training as a core curriculum of study. This tradition continues today with additional study in all styles of dance performance.

Daily technique classes provide professional training in ballet and modern dance. In addition, dancers study choreography, pedagogy, music, jazz, tap, and cultural dance styles.

Versatility for a dancer translates into work and performance opportunities; therefore, the Boston Conservatory curriculum requires students to extend themselves and be knowledgeable about music, literature, dance repertory, dance history, Gyrokinesis, Pilates, Alexander Technique, nutrition, and anatomy. To support the dancer, seminars in health and wellness are scheduled throughout the academic year.

Faculty members are current or former members of some of the most prestigious dance organizations in the United States. Their artistry and professional qualifications offer students a full range of dance technique and teaching methods. Faculty members serve as mentors to dancers, forming a nurturing and supportive relationship. Students are thus able to grow and achieve their dreams within a caring, artistic environment.

Performance experience is provided in both studio and mainstage concerts. The range of work performed runs the gamut of dance repertory, in addition to frequent premieres of new works choreographed by artist faculty members or guest artists commissioned by the school. Mainstage concerts are held in collaboration with the Music Division, offering a unique opportunity to collaborate with musicians as part of the performance preparation.

Boston is a major center of higher education in America, with more than fifty major colleges and universities. The city provides a diverse student population and an endless array of courses, lectures, concerts, and social opportunities. The Conservatory is a member of the Pro-Arts Consortium, in conjunction with five area colleges (Emerson College, Berklee College of Music, School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Massachusetts College of Art, and Boston Architectural Center), offering cross-registration course possibilities to all students.

On-campus housing is provided for freshmen. Housing is available to upperclassmen and graduates on a space-available basis, offering brownstone-style living accommodations just a few steps from the main training and rehearsal buildings. For those students interested in off-campus housing, Boston offers a wide range of architectural styles and rent prices in neighborhoods throughout the city that are all within easy access to the school by public transportation.

The Boston Conservatory strives to meet each student’s needs—musically and personally—and provides a nurturing, safe environment in which to study, learn, and grow. The supportive atmosphere of the college extends to student life areas as well. More than a dozen special interest groups and organizations exist on campus, with new ones developing constantly as the student population grows and its needs change. As part of the student services, a number of career seminars are given each year ranging from resume writing and audition anxiety to grant writing and tax laws for the performing artist. In addition, there is an active student government and a student-run newspaper.

Application Procedures

Deadline--freshmen and transfers: December 1. Notification date--freshmen and transfers: April 1. Required: essay, high school transcript, college transcript(s) for transfer students, 2 letters of recommendation, interview, audition, minimum TOEFL score of 550 for international applicants, artistic resumé, minimum 2.7 high school GPA. Auditions held 1 time on campus and off campus in Los Angeles, CA; Houston, TX; New York, NY; Washington, DC; St. Petersburg, FL; videotaped performances are permissible as a substitute for live auditions when distance is prohibitive.

The Boston Conservatory

Application Procedures

Undergraduate Contact