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.
What you will learn
- Professional, entry-level dance technique in ballet, modern, jazz, and flamenco
- 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.
Deadline for application April 15. All applications must be completed online. Applications must be complete and requirements met before the deadline.
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.
Deadline for application April 15. All applications must be complete online. Auditions will take place in the first two weeks of May. Audition results will be available before the end of May.
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
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.
| Term One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| DNCE 1101 | Ballet 1 | 4 |
| DNCE 1102 or DNCE 1103 |
Pointe Work 1 (Women) or Men's Work 1 |
1 |
| DNCE 1104 | Jazz Technique 1 | 1 |
| DNCE 1105 | Modern Dance 1 | 1 |
| DNCE 1106 | Flamenco 1 | 1 |
| DNCE 1107 | Classical Variations 1 | 1 |
| DNCE 1109 | Health for Dancers | 1 |
| DNCE 1110 | Intro to Improvisation 1 | 1 |
| DNCE 1111 | Rhythm Studies 1 | 2 |
| Electives | 2 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term Two | ||
| DNCE 1201 | Ballet 2 | 4 |
| DNCE 1202 or DNCE 1203 |
Pointe Work 2 (Women) or Men's Work 2 |
1 |
| DNCE 1204 | Jazz Technique 2 | 1 |
| DNCE 1205 | Modern Dance 2 | 1 |
| DNCE 1206 | Flamenco 2 | 1 |
| DNCE 1207 | Classical Variations 2 | 1 |
| DNCE 1209 | Body Conditioning | 1 |
| DNCE 1210 | Introduction to Improvisation 2 | 1 |
| DNCE 1211 | Rhythm Studies 2 | 2 |
| Electives | 2 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term Three | ||
| DNCE 2101 | Ballet 3 | 4 |
| DNCE 2102 or DNCE 2103 |
Pointe Work 3 (Women) or Men's Work 3 |
1 |
| DNCE 2104 | Jazz Technique 3 | 1 |
| DNCE 2105 | Modern Dance 3 | 1 |
| DNCE 2106 | Flamenco 3 | 1 |
| DNCE 2111 | Rhythm Studies 3 | 2 |
| DNCE 2112 | Pas de Deux 1 | 1 |
| DNCE 2113 | Dance Composition 1 | 1 |
| DNCE 2114 | Careers in Dance 1 | 1 |
| Electives | 2 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term Four | ||
| DNCE 2201 | Ballet 4 | 4 |
| DNCE 2202 or DNCE 2203 |
Pointe Work 4 (Women) or Men's Work 4 |
1 |
| DNCE 2204 | Jazz Technique 4 | 1 |
| DNCE 2205 | Modern Dance 4 | 1 |
| DNCE 2206 | Flamenco 4 | 1 |
| DNCE 2211 | Rhythm Studies 4 | 2 |
| DNCE 2212 | Pas de Deux 2 | 1 |
| DNCE 2213 | Dance Composition 2 | 1 |
| DNCE 2214 | Careers in Dance 2 | 1 |
| DNCE 2215 | The Arts in Context | 2 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
This guide is intended as a general guideline only. The college reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.
* 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.
Discover Open Studies
Open Studies lets you take courses from credit programs without having to be accepted into one. Based on availability, you can sample different courses, earn credits, and build new skills.
Explore your optionsFees and other costs *
Total tuition varies depending on the elective courses chosen.
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 19945 | |
| Student union | 256 | |
| College initiative | 171 | |
| Materials | 1034 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 171 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 550 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 0 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a $300 non-refundable deposit.
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's 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
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