Contemporary Dance (BFA)
Why study dance at Concordia?
Our BFA Major in Contemporary Dance encourages students to discover and define their own aesthetic, methods and creative processes. Working in an inclusive and collaborative learning environment allows students to foster a strong artistic relationship with faculty. Our program places a unique focus on choreography within a social context, drawing from contemporary dance practices and related performance fields. This approach is carefully designed to support choreographic research and versatility in performance.
Students stage their own choreographies and perform original works created by their peers. The program is taught by artist-researchers and engages with critical and multidisciplinary approaches to contemporary choreographic practices.
Graduates leave as independent, well-rounded artists, ready to make meaningful contributions to the world of dance and beyond.
Program structure
A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree takes a minimum of three or four years (90 – 120 credits) of full-time study, depending on your academic background.
Program option
- Major in Contemporary Dance (60 credits)
Courses
Given the program’s focus on creative process and choreography, the dance training we provide is a synthesis of technique principles and new approaches in dance training, beyond style specific techniques. Teachers bring to class a diversity of perspectives, fed by their sustained practice as performers and artistic collaborators.
Technical training is in contemporary dance. The teachers draw from a diversity of current movement practices, offering synthesized approaches to training that are adapted to the needs of choreographic research and versatility in performance. Classes may include notions from existing dance forms and movement principles, barre, floor work, somatics, new hybrid styles, depending on the teachers. However, there are no specific techniques taught such as ballet, jazz or modern styles such as Graham, Limon, or lyrical dance. Students gain proficiency in movement coordination, flexibility and stability, musicality and dynamic versatility. Classes are usually accompanied by a live musician.
There are regular opportunities for students to experience other dance approaches outside the regular course offering through workshops and extra technique classes organized by the Dance Students Association.
Study opportunities for exchange students
There are different forms of exchange: bilateral agreements between Concordia University and certain institutions, international exchanges that do not have financial agreements and visiting student status.
- See the Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities
- Consult the Office of the Registrar
- Students wishing to apply for an exchange need to attend a Faculty of Fine Arts International Study Abroad Info Session.
United States students: A U.S. Federal Student Aid-eligible version of this program is offered. This version meets all U.S. regulations (such as no co-operative education or e-courses) for eligible programs.
Admission criteria
This program is available for Fall admission only.
Minimum cut-off averages and course requirements
- Quebec CEGEP: DEC
- High School: C+
- ACT or SAT is NOT required
- Canadian curricula course requirements
- Accepted international qualifications
- International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma: 26
- International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (CP): 4.3/7
- Baccalauréat français: 11
- British system of education (GCE):
- A-levels: At least two A-level exams CD or
- AS-levels: At least 4 AS-level exams with equivalent results or
- BTEC: Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma in a related subject area with equivalent results
- Additional information for British System of Education (GCE) applicants
- University Transfers (internal/external): C
Additional requirements for admission
Applicants must submit additional requirements for admission directly to the department.
- Pre-audition questionnaire
- Interview
- Audition
Live auditions are held in Montreal in the Spring. Candidates who cannot attend for geographical or financial reasons, may submit their audition by video as per the guidelines and deadlines posted in the Admissions page.
Pre-Audition Questionnaire Deadline: March 1
- Available at concordia.ca/dance
- Late applications will continue to be accepted for certain programs for an undetermined amount of time. Please see program availability for the fall.
- Applicants must apply online before submitting the Questionnaire.
Minimum cut-off averages should be used as indicators. The cut-off data may change depending on the applicant pool. Applicants who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to these programs.
After your degree
Our program helps you situate yourself in the professional dance world. You’ll notice how the creative work you do in the program will give you a huge advantage when you leave the Department. Our alumni are full-fledged artists in the contemporary dance community, whose work resonates on local, national and international levels.
A degree in Contemporary Dance can lead you to many creative careers, including:
- Professional dance
- Choreography
- Launching your own dance company
- Teaching
- Artistic mentoring
- Curating performance events
