Program Overview

Dance: Future Students

Performance Dance

The Performance Dance program at The Creative School is the most intensive and comprehensive dance program of its kind in Canada. As a student in this conservatory-style program, you will receive rigorous training in multiple forms of dance, including ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, West African, and street styles. This core dance training is combined with classes in partnering, improvisation, composition, music, film, anatomy, and other creative practices.

Full-time format

The program is offered in a full-time format, spanning four years.

Degree earned

Upon completion of the program, students earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Experiential Learning

The program offers opportunities for global learning and studio courses.

Admission requirements

Admission to the program requires an audition.

About Performance Dance

Our Training

Throughout the four years of study, students in the Dance program receive intensive professional training, with daily dance classes in various forms, including ballet, jazz, modern, street styles, West African, and contemporary dance. In the first and second years, students are introduced to the fundamentals of dance performance while learning how to approach their work critically, develop entrepreneurial initiative, and find joy in the creative process.

In the third and fourth years, students tailor their education to their career goals by taking professional and professionally-related electives. For example, they may choose to focus on business and marketing through courses in entrepreneurship, new venture startup, and promotion. Electives are also available in more traditional performance areas like film acting, audition preparation, directing, and musical theatre.

Program Highlights

• Attend daily dance classes as part of an intensive, conservatory-style curriculum.
• Build professional connections by working with internationally-acclaimed guest artists and dance companies.
• Train in a variety of genres, including ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, street styles, and West African dance.
• Perform live in annual mainstage productions, studio shows, and choreographic workshops.

Why Performance Dance?

The program is located in the heart of downtown Toronto, where the dance industry thrives. With its tight-knit relationship to the community, the program connects students with many incredible artists, alumni, and international guests who are amazing additions to the faculty.

The Performance Dance program at The Creative School consists of some of Toronto's strongest teachers in their fields, who have all worked or continue to work as professional dance performers. This outstanding group of educated and experienced teachers provides students with industry-level knowledge like no other. The program offers exceptionally high-level training in comparison to most university dance programs in Canada and continuously emphasizes the importance of versatility by covering a wide variety of styles and training.

Career Pathways

• Dance Performance
• Choreography
• Producing
• Dance Instruction
• Personal Training
• Arts Administration
• Physical Therapy
• Company Management

Employers

• Côté Danse
• ProArteDanza
• Decidedly Jazz Danceworks
• Compagnie Marie Chouinard
• Mirvish Productions
• Disney Cruise Line
• Toronto Dance Theatre
• Lua Shayenne Dance Company
• Citadel + Compagnie

Alumni Spotlight

Performance Dance Alumni Millina Fletcher says, "I have a deep love for dance, far beyond what I had originally imagined. The Dance program opened my eyes to the joy I find in creating dance on film and exploring choreography, aspects I never thought I would enjoy as much as I do now."