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.

PROGRAM STANDARDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Perform advanced classical ballet and modern dance technique in choreographed solo and ensemble productions.
• Perform jazz dance technique in choreographed solo and ensemble productions.
• Sing at an intermediate level using pulse, rhythm and metre in both solo presentations and chorus productions.
• Create artistically expressive dramatic characterizations in a dance context at an advanced level in both solo and ensemble performances.
• Present self professionally at auditions and in industry environments through resumes, biographical backgrounds, and photographs to advance artistic and career opportunities.
• Develop self-knowledge and reflective practice to make informed artistic, pedagogical, personal development and career choices within the performing arts industry.
• Apply pedagogical skills and concepts to educate students in the areas of ballet, modern and jazz dance training.

YOUR CAREER

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.