
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
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.
Please note that the supplementary application procedures may change due to Covid-19. Please check back to learn about interim measures. If you have any questions please contact ampd@yorku.ca.
- 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.
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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)
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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.
Audition Process
The Department of Dance BFA program requires you to complete a dance audition as part of your general admissions process. Typically, we have in-person auditions that take place in January, with the option to submit a video audition for those applicants living far away from the university.
There will be no in-person auditions this year. Due to the pandemic, all applicants will submit a video audition for the Fall 2021 entry to the Department of Dance at York University. We don’t require a professional recording. A basic “home” recording will suffice, provided the recording quality doesn’t detract from viewing the components required, and you are able to show your whole body moving through the components. Please move within an area 2 metre square or smaller; there is no need to seek out or rent a professional space.
For your online audition, upload no more than a 5 minute video of yourself doing the following components:
– warm-up movement of your choice to get your body ready for this audition (no music) – 2 minutes long.
– Improvise or create a solo for yourself that uses levels and different qualities (with music) – 3 minutes long.
- 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.
Have Questions?
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