Required Skillset

It’s important that every student-athlete on the Minnesota Dance roster has an elite fundamental background. The following skills are what we like to see from each incoming student-athlete.

The following skills should be demonstrated on video for an Official Recruitment Submission. ALL SKILLS LISTED MUST BE FILMED AND SUBMITTED AS ONE CONTINUOUS TAKE; DANCERS MAY DO EACH SKILL TWICE IF NEEDED.

These skills align with the requirements of the Common Recruit Video Guidelines.

Optional skills should be no longer than 3 minutes.

Required Turns

  • Right side triple (3) pirouette

  • Right side quadruple (4) pirouette

  • Right side quintuple (5) pirouette

  • Left side triple (3) pirouette

  • A la second turn combination

    • Showcasing a la second turns, changing spots, floats, variation in arm and leg position, speed, pirouette and other technical elements

    • Minimum three counts of 8 in length

Required Acro

  • Walkover (front or back)

  • Aerial (right, left or both)

Required Leaps

  • Right open second leap

  • Right calypso or turning jete attitude

  • Switch leaps (minimum 2)

    • Any variation - regular switch leap, switch tilt, switch arabesque, switch open, either side)

  • Single toe touch

  • Double toe touch

Required Flexibility

  • Side tilt

  • Penche

  • Leg turn (any variety)

Optional Skills

  • Front aerial

  • Standing back tuck

  • Back Handspring

  • Headspring

  • Kip up

  • 540

  • Flexibility features (legs, back, etc.)

  • Additional advanced turn combos

  • Additional advanced jump/leap combo