OVERVIEW
Dance
Designed to inspire, develop and enhance creative and critical moving and thinking, AMPD’s Department of Dance curriculum balances physical and intellectual learning. Students in Canada’s largest and most comprehensive dance program graduate as innovative, thoughtful and articulate dance professionals who are ready to be engaged leaders in diverse communities.
Dance students take a common first-year and then branch into one of two streams according to their interests and goals. Upper-year students may audition to join the department’s resident company, the York Dance Ensemble. Students also have the opportunity to gain valuable training in lighting design and dance production, to embrace emerging media and integrate technology into their dance practices, and to extend their professional experience through field placements, collaborative research and guest teaching.
HIGHLIGHTS
Top 6 reasons to apply
First and most comprehensive dance program in Canada
The foundation year introduces multi-facetted opportunities in dance
Two streams to choose from in second- to fourth-year
Multiple pathways to choose from in years three and four
State-of-the-art studio and performance facilities
Supportive environment that fosters optimal learning and development
Year One
OVERVIEW
Incoming students share a common first-year foundational curriculum in which they take courses across the various areas of Dance, after which they stream into one of two areas: Performance/ Choreography or Dance Education.
The foundation-year engages students in dance classes with the entire first-year class. Students take contemporary modern and contemporary ballet classes every day. The Introduction to Dance Studies courses offer inspiration and a foundation in the many contexts of Dance in the world. Production courses provide the opportunity for students to understand and experience everything that goes into producing a dance piece. Students have lots of opportunities to get involved in the performances that will happen throughout the year, as well as the option to participate in the Dance Student Association and enjoy socializing with fellow dance students from all four years of the program.
The foundation-year engages students in dance classes with the entire first-year class. Students take contemporary modern and contemporary ballet classes every day. The Introduction to Dance Studies courses offer inspiration and a foundation in the many contexts of Dance in the world. Production courses provide the opportunity for students to understand and experience everything that goes into producing a dance piece. Students have lots of opportunities to get involved in the performances that will happen throughout the year, as well as the option to participate in the Dance Student Association and enjoy socializing with fellow dance students from all four years of the program.
Our BFA Honours degree offers two streams of study: Dance Education and Choreography/Performance.
Following the foundation-year experience, students complete their studies in one of the two specialized streams. Each year in April, faculty assist first-year BFA students in choosing a stream by assessing area strengths demonstrated during their first two academic terms of study.
First year highlights
Become immersed in the Dance program from day one
LEADING EDGE PRACTICES
Use dance and media technology to create innovative, leading edge projects.
PERFORMANCE PRODUCTION
Learn valuable production and design skills that support you in becoming a well-rounded professional
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Develop your performing abilities by auditioning to dance in department shows.
Sample courses
Ballet/Contemporary Dance
This course offers Ballet technique for dance majors. Ongoing training develops artistic expression, classical ballet vocabulary, musicality and performance skills.
Contemporary/Modern Dance
This course offers Contemporary/Modern dance technique for dance majors. Ongoing training develops artistic expression, modern dance vocabulary, musicality and performance skills.
Human Anatomy for the Fine Arts
This is an introductory course on the structure and function of the human body specifically oriented towards the needs of students in Fine Arts. Body systems are studied from anatomical, physiological and biomechanical perspectives.
Dance Studies in the 21st Century
This blended course, engages students in a social media-enhanced dialogue concerning dance, history, anthropology and cultural studies to develop their own research identity. The course encourages students to position dance both in terms of theory and movement in its social, political, and economic contexts.
Dance Production
This course encompasses the specific expertise necessary in each area for the mounting of a dance production. Students will be assigned to, and responsible for one of the areas of production for each show: lighting, sound, projections, wardrobe, stage management, or front-of-house. Ultimately, students will develop an understanding of how all of the various departments of a production team work collaboratively to create a unified dance production.
YOUR CHOICE OF TWO STREAMS
Years two to four
OVERVIEW
The Choreography/Performance stream offers students opportunities for creative engagement with initiating, forming and presenting works of dance. With studio experience at its core, this training will provide students with skill in devising innovative movement and structuring choreography, through understanding choreographic elements and principles, and in the presentation of dance in various live performance venues and online media platforms.
Graduates of this stream may go on to develop within the professional dance milieu as emerging dance artists, or seek further qualification and training in the growing fields of dance production, technology, arts administration, science and/or somatic practices.
Program highlights
Become immersed in the Dance program from day one
Learn from Canada’s dance leaders
The program offers current contemporary dance experience informed by fifty years of leadership in Dance education.
Experience many forms of dance
Learn about the rich history and traditions of dance from across the globe, as well as present day global perspectives.
Develop skills for a rich and rewarding career
Experience a well-integrated curriculum that explores the many facets of dance artistry, opening up career possibilities.
Learn a broad base of skills for real-world application
Opportunity to not only perform and create dance pieces, but to produce and manage the many aspects of public performances and performance-based events
Areas of Concentration
Explore a mix or specialize
Brett is adding Areas of Concentration sliderSample courses
Choreography (2nd Year)
This course introduces the study of the basic principles of dance composition. Both practical movement studies and analytic/critical work will be employed to explore the creative process and to begin to develop the craft and skills of choreography.
Dance Video & Intermedial Performance
This multidisciplinary studio course explores the design and production of dance on camera. It covers the practical aspects of video production from expressed intention through distribution. Students have hands-on experience lighting, shooting, and editing dance video and the opportunity to investigate video production and projection for intermedial dance presentations.
Traditional and Current Dances of Sub-Saharan Africa
This course introduces students to selected African dance forms in their cultural contexts such as Ghanaian, Togolese, Beninois, Nigerian and Guinean, including the effects of contemporary changes on these art forms.
THE STARS OF THE THEATRE AT YORK PROGRAM
Notable Alumni
OVERVIEW
The Dance Education stream offers students the opportunity to explore theoretical and practical aspects of teaching dance in a range of settings. Through theory and practice, students develop skills for leading dance classes with diverse populations that may include children, adolescents, adults of all ages, as well as marginalized individuals and those with disabilities.
Upon graduation, students in this stream will be prepared to pursue dance leadership positions in recreational, community, and private educational settings, as well as to pursue a consecutive degree in Education, graduate level studies, and/or other certifications.
Program highlights
Become immersed in the Dance Education program from day one
Develop skills for teaching in diverse contexts
Gain pedagogical skills for teaching dance to a wide variety of populations, understanding the particular needs and appropriate techniques for those groups.
Prepare for a multifaceted career
Experience an integrated curriculum that supports students as you explore the many facets of dance education, increasing personal insights and career opportunities.
Apply your skills in community settings
Placement courses give students opportunities to teach dance in a variety of contexts, gaining valuable real-world experience.
Areas of Concentration
Explore a mix or specialize
Brett is adding Areas of Concentration sliderSample courses
Teaching Dance to Youth
This course presents theories, models, tools, strategies, and applications for teaching age appropriate dance to the preadolescent and beyond (ages eight and older); explores contexts for dance learning appropriate for the young dancer’s progress and experience; develops concepts of skill acquisition and the arts-making processes of dance creation with and for young people; and demonstrates approaches to integrating dance to life and other disciplines.
Embodied Thought: Moving, Dancing, Learning
This course is an experiential look at the relationship between movement, awareness and thought. Practical and theoretical studies in selected methods of somatic education provide a context for motor/sensory experimentation and highlight embodied movement as a way to consider issues such as creativity, problem solving, focus and social interaction.
Community Dance Education
This course provides students with theories, tools, strategies, and applications for teaching dance to a range of community populations, which might include older adults and/or people with mobility or other personal or societal challenges. Students will learn to plan, teach, and assess movement experiences for various community populations using a range of dance forms. In addition to lectures and studio work, this course includes a 1-hour practicum.
THE STARS OF THE THEATRE AT YORK PROGRAM
Notable Alumni
JOINT DIPLOMA AND DEGREE
Affiliated Programs
The Department of Dance offers programs designed to meet the professional interests of incoming students. We have a number of transfer credit agreements with Professional Training institutions in Canada.
Dance BFA students interested in a ballet-focused studio teaching career can consider our five-year Joint Diploma/Degree Program with Canada’s National Ballet School. In this program, Dance majors combine study toward their Honours BFA in Dance with the Teacher Training Program at Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS). The program’s five years of study are divided into two possible routes, Option A and Option B:
Option A
Three years in the York University Department of Dance, followed by two years at NBS. Students wishing to pursue this program are advised to declare their interest during their first year of study at York University, and to complete their audition for the National Ballet School at the end of their first year.
Once accepted by NBS, students in this Joint Program receive specialized advising so that all the graduation requirements for York are met during the three years. Prior to entering the NBS portion of the program, students are expected to have successfully completed their Royal Academy of Dance or Cecchetti Elementary Examination.
Option B
Three years at NBS, followed by two years in the York University Department of Dance. In this case a York University Department of Dance audition is not required for entry. Please contact the Dance Department for further information, dance@yorku.ca.
The Department of Dance offers simplified, guaranteed transfer credit to qualified students coming from these professional institutions:
Professional Training Programs -The School of Toronto Dance Theatre (STDT)
The School of Dance Contemporary Programme, Ottawa
Sampradaya Dance Academy, Mississauga
Holland College, Charlottetown, PEI
Students who successfully complete the Programs at these institutions, with a minimum B standing (6.0 GPA) are eligible to apply for admission to the York BFA (Hons) Dance Program. After successful application to York University, students admitted will have between 50 – 60 credits (depending on the institution) from their training applied towards their 120-credit BFA (Hons) degree. Each joint program will have a specific dance course requirements as per the agreement with the school. Please contact the Dance Department for further information, dance@yorku.ca.
APPLICATION PROCESS
How to apply
STEP
1Realize my dream of being a Dance major.
- Make note of the deadlines.
- Check to make sure your program is still accepting applications.
- Ensure you’ve met all admission requirements.
- Make sure you have all the required documents.
- Ready to apply? Move to Step 3.
Use this application if:
- You want to apply to degree studies for any session (Ontario high-school students should see their guidance office). Fee Information.
- You’re a mature or university/college applicant (if you’re applying to more than one university). Fee Information.
Apply Now
B. York University ApplicationUse this application if:
- You are a mature, international or university/college transfer applicant (if you’re only applying to York), OR
- You want to take courses as a Visiting Student, OR
- You want to apply to a certificate, OR
- You are currently taking a York pre-University/”Bridging” course or YUELI course
Fees: $130 payable by Visa, Visa Debit or MasterCard (non-refundable)
Apply Now
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email containing your York reference ID. This email will be sent approximately 5-10 business days after you submit your application. Please complete step 4 once you have your York Reference ID.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email containing your York reference ID. This email will be sent approximately 5-10 business days after you submit your application. Please complete step 4 once you have your York Reference ID.
- Make sure you have your York Reference ID on hand.
- Complete the questionnaire which helps us get to know you a little better.
- Pay the administration fee of: $60 CAD. You will then be able to proceed with the audition.
- Read through the instructions below on the audition process.
- Book a date to complete your in-person audition or complete it online. If you live outside of the Greater Toronto Area, you can upload digital files of your recorded audition instead. In this case your digital files will be reviewed and assessed, but we strongly encourage you to visit campus for an in-person audition if possible. See below for more information about online auditions.
- If attending an in-person audition/evaluation, please bring a recent photograph with you.
Audition Process
Our Dance BFA program requires you to complete a dance audition as part of your general admissions process in order to demonstrate your dance abilities. This is what you can expect at the audition: Dance Auditions take place throughout a full morning and are normally made up of a few different activities: – a welcome reception for students and parents – a warm up session for the auditioning students – the audition class in which all the students auditioning that day participate in a class as a group for a number of our faculty members – an observation class where you can watch current students dance – a Q and A session You do not need to prepare anything in advance. You will be asked to participate in various activities and dance styles during the class. The department is looking at your skill level, passion for moving and ability to be flexible and adaptable. Bring a hard copy of your headshot with you. This is simply for identification purposes for the faculty members to refer to during the audition class. Nothing fancy is necessary; a simple photo is fine, such as a class-picture. Bring water and a lunch. Dress in layers. For warming up we recommend sweatpants and long shirt over a full-coverage tank or short sleeved leotard or tee shirt and long full-coverage tights. (colours of clothing are not important). Most of the class will be in bare feet. Bring socks and indoor running shoes and/or ballet slippers. Have your hair off your face (ballet buns are not necessary). Online Auditions If you live outside of the Greater Toronto Area, you are welcome to submit a video audition piece. The video recording should reflect your current interests and abilities, meaning that we would like to see what you believe to be your strengths in dance to be. We don’t require a professional recording. A basic “home” recording will suffice, provided the recording quality doesn’t detract from viewing your dancing. For your online audition, please upload ALL of the following: – a 5-minute video of yourself doing a warm-up in either contemporary/modern dance or ballet – a solo dance performance (maximum 3 minutes) that includes travelling movement throughout the space. Read over the audition details below and check out our Audition FAQs for information specific to your instrument and genre. Button- Make sure all your documents arrive before the deadline.
- If you haven’t already, book a tour.
- Check out our public events and performances* taking place throughout the season.
- Check your application status.
- Be prepared to apply for scholarships, awards & bursaries after you’ve been accepted.
- Take a look at info on Financial Aid.
*During the coronavirus pandemic public events on campus have been cancelled.
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