Dance Performance Program (P105)

Program Description

Program Overview

Dance Performance is a rigorous and high-standard two-year diploma program that prepares ballet and contemporary dancers to launch a performance career in professional dance.

Full Description

This rigorous and comprehensive two-year Dance Performance diploma program provides you with the necessary skills to launch a career in dance. As a graduate, you will be a classical ballet and/or contemporary dancer with the professionalism, technical expertise and industry contacts required to pursue a career in dance. With a choice of specialty in classical or contemporary dance, students train in ballet, modern and jazz with studies in acting, vocal, repertoire and composition to elevate their overall performance quality and marketability.

There are two streams for students to specialize in either classical or contemporary dance:

  • The Classical stream is for intermediate/advanced ballet students and includes more advanced training in ballet and pointe.
  • The Contemporary stream is for intermediate-level ballet students and includes additional contemporary training and the option of less advanced pointe classes.

Student Selection

Entrance requirement is dance training at the intermediate classical ballet level with pointe work and experience in other dance forms. Prospective students must pass an audition in ballet and jazz as well as an interview.

To learn more about the audition process, visit Dance Auditions page.

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

Our graduates are working! Some of the many places they've found work include:

  • Traditional dance companies and festivals: apprenticing, performing and touring with established dance companies and festivals such as Stratford, Ballet Jörgen Canada and the Charlottetown Festival.
  • The project-based dance industry: applying for funding for their own projects, choreographing, founding companies, joining/forming groups and producing shows, and performing in festivals, cabarets, theatres and resorts.
  • Film and television: appearing in productions and music videos, and developing dance on film projects.
  • The dance training studio industry, driven by television and live dance competitions: teaching, choreographing, coaching and judging, as well as founding and taking ownership of their own studios.
  • The dance fitness and workshop industry: teaching and developing the expanding market of dance fitness and specialized workshops, and taking this product across Canada and abroad.
  • The sports and dance teams industry: cheerleading, and forming and joining dance teams.

Some graduates continue on to arts and master’s degrees in universities and continued professional development in fields such as circus performance, personal fitness, stage management, nutrition and physical therapies.

Educational Pathways

For further information, see the Transfer Guide.

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