Start your career as a professional dancer by learning a full repertoire including ballet, modern, jazz, and flamenco in addition to arts entrepreneurship and administration.
Dance
Info Week at VCC
Join us online or in-person for our info sessions, April 28 - May 2.
What you will learn
- Pre-professional dance technique in ballet, modern, jazz, flamenco, and more
- Artistic dance movement language and repertoire
- Elite-level rehearsal skills and performance readiness
- Coordination and skeletal alignment
- Anatomical efficiency and movement quality
- Physical virtuosity, balance, and control
- Classical line
- Pointe work (women)
- Muscular and cardiovascular strength
- Spinal articulation
- Coordination and isolations
- Pas de deux and ensemble work
- Floor work and jump sequences
- Time-keeping and rhythmical sense
- Theatricality and musicality
- Structured and contact improvisation
- Use of props, set pieces, voice, and text
- Western European, African, Latin American, and Indian rhythm traditions
- Anatomy, injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation
- Emotional health and self-awareness
- Nutrition and body conditioning
- Thematic exploration
- Journaling and composition
- Information literacy and research skills
- Critical thinking and creative input
- Peer evaluation
- Dance industry knowledge
- Mentorship and professional dance goal-setting
- Arts administration and entrepreneurship
- Ballet and modern dance teaching
- History of twentieth century Western visual and performing arts
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
Two years.
- Studio classes
- Lectures and presentations
- Group work
- Performances
- Guest choreographers
- Arts management sessions
- Performance technology workshops
- Instructional media
- Skills demonstrations
- Practical and theoretical assignments
- Written examinations
Admission requirements
Program-specific
Admission to the Dance Diploma is a competitive selection process. Applicants must meet the following admission requirements:
- Grade 12 graduation or equivalent.
- English 10 or equivalent, or English Language proficiency at a grade 10 level.
- Be 18 years of age. In special circumstances, a department head may allow an applicant that is 17 years of age to be admitted to the program provided that the applicant has graduated from Grade 12.
- Pass an audition performed in front of the Admissions Committee chaired by the Artistic Director, Dance at Arts Umbrella.
- Complete a successful interview with the Artistic Director, Dance at Arts Umbrella.
All requests for transfer credits or course exemptions for all courses in the Dance Diploma program must be submitted with the application.
VCC and Arts Umbrella will hold a selected number of seats in the Dance Diploma program for graduating Arts Umbrella students of the preparatory program who will have the opportunity to qualify to directly access the Dance Diploma program.
Auditions will take place in the first two weeks of May. Audition results will be available before the end of May.
General
- Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis.
- International applicants must be 17 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.
- All VCC applicants are required to function successfully in an English-speaking classroom. English requirements vary by program. For details, visit VCC International - English Requirements.
Recommended Characteristics
The typical student in the Diploma in Dance will aspire to a career in professional dance in ballet and/or modern dance. Ideal students will seek to develop an advanced level of technical and choreographic skill leading to more advanced professional training. Other students will wish to develop a comprehensive knowledge base in ballet and/or modern dance and arts management skills with an intent to launch private studios or join established training organizations.
Courses *
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and other costs *
Tuition deposits are payable usually within three weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $145 | |
| Tuition Tuition | $31,024 | |
| Student union | $283 | |
| College initiative | $187 | |
| Materials | $1,129 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | $67 | |
| Medical and Dental | $570 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | $149 | |
| U-PASS | $376 | |
| Graduation | $45 | |
| Total | $33,975 |
* Tuition and other fees are approximate and subject to increase up to 5% per year. Students will be required to pay increased rates if the fees change at any time during the period of enrolment in the program. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable.
Fees listed are for international students. For domestic programs, visit vcc.ca.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's international refund policy.
Apply now
Audition and Application Deadlines for Fall 2025
Step 1: Register for an audition with Arts Umbrella before applying to VCC
- Live auditions:
- January 5, 2025 – Toronto audition
- January 12, 2025 - New York City audition
- January 19, 2025 - Amsterdam audition
- February 2, 2025 - Vancouver audition
- Audition by video:
- Deadline January 26, 2025
Step 2: Upon acceptance to Arts Umbrella, apply to VCC
- Apply on EducationPlanner BC
- Upload your Arts Umbrella letter of acceptance with your application
- Deadline April 1, 2025 (applications must be complete and requirements met)
Visit Arts Umbrella for more information. For details on the admissions process, contact Sam Tawaststjerna at stawaststjerna@artsumbrella.com or 604.416.3353
For more information and tips, see Apply page
Info Week at VCC
Join us online or in-person for our info sessions, April 28 - May 2.