The Dance Program is a college preparatory, conservatory-based program emphasizing technical and artistic training. The goal of this program is to provide diversity of experiences in styles, philosophies, and perspectives. This premier program offers training in ballet, modern, jazz, improvisation, and composition, and features several performance opportunities each year.
This program is open to all Mercy Girls, including incoming ninth graders, and requires an audition. The Dance Program has a strong reputation in the broader community, having graduated dancers who have earned admission into highly selective collegiate dance programs. Alumnae have also pursued careers in dance as performing artists, choreographers, directors, and educators.
The Apprentice Dance Company is designed for students with a desire, passion, and potential for dance, but with a more limited dance background. Apprentice Dance Company dancers are selected by audition in the second semester of eighth grade. Mercy Girls may also audition in the spring of each year. Dancers participate in technique classes held during the school day, as well as choreography rehearsals held one or two days a week after school. The program focuses on developing technical skills in the genres of ballet, modern, and jazz dance, with exposure to improvisation, composition, and choreography. The Apprentice Dance Company performs several times throughout the academic year and also works alongside guest artists.
Mercy’s Dance Troupe is a full-year, co-curricular, comprehensive, and sequenced college preparatory program for experienced dancers. In addition to rigorous instruction in the genres of dance, The Dance Troupe performs several times during the year including formal concerts in the winter and spring. The Dance Troupe also has the opportunity to attend local events such as the Independent Dance Network Festival; the Maryland Dance Alliance; and the Circle of Light, Circle of Love event at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center.
Throughout the year, Mercy Girls study with a variety of guest choreographers allowing them to explore various genres of dance such as hip hop, flamenco, Irish Dance, African, and more.
Mercy High School is excited to have a chapter of NHSDA (National Honor Society for Dance Arts). The National Honor Society for Dance Arts™ (NHSDA) is a program of the National Dance Education Organization, created to recognize outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in students studying dance in public and private schools in K-12 education, dance studios, cultural/community centers, performing arts organizations, and post-secondary education. Through the NHSDA, students are provided opportunities for mentoring, networking, and leadership development, as well as national and state-level scholarship and award opportunities.
Each year, Mercy holds auditions for incoming students for the Dance Program. Auditions take place each January. For more information, please contact our admissions team.
Mercy High School Baltimore is a sponsored ministry of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and is a member of Mercy Education.
Mercy High School proudly partners with eCampus for textbooks and other materials for our Mercy Girls.
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