Performance: Dance - BFA
Performance: Dance - BFA
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts
Faculty: The Creative School
Requirements: Grades-Plus
Grade range: Mid 70s1
Experiential learning: Studio course(s) available
Full-time format: 4 Year
Is this degree for you?
Discover your potential with the one-of-a-kind, conservatory-style Performance: Dance degree program. You’ll receive professional training in multiple dance styles including ballet, modern, jazz, West African, street and contemporary.
To help you become a versatile performer and broaden your professional opportunities, core dance training is paired with classes in improvisation, composition, acting, singing, choreography and creative studies. You'll also explore music, anatomy, dance film and dance history.
Study in downtown Toronto, home to the third-largest English language theatre district in the world, internationally renowned professional dance companies and North American film and television productions. Hone your craft through frequent performances, original works and collaborations with top professionals and international choreographers, and make performances come to life.
75%
Time spent in studio and rehearsals
Student spotlight
Performance: Dance students take the stage with international choreographers for SPRINGWORKS
Third and fourth-year Performance: Dance students brought the stage to life during SPRINGWORKS, an annual showcase created in collaboration with Performance: Design and Production (formerly Performance: Production) students across all years of study. This year, it featured choreography by the National Ballet of Canada’s Choreographic Associate, Guillaume Côté and award-winning choreographer Esie Mensah, with lighting design by Arun Srinivasan.
Read more: Performance Dance students take the stage with international choreographers for SPRINGWORKS
Photo by Jeremy Mimnagh
After you graduate with this degree
Career possibilities:
- Arts entrepreneur
- Choreographer
- Dance artist
- Dance critic
- Director
💼 Employer possibilities:
- Compagnie Marie Chouinard
- Côté Danse
- Disney Cruise Line
- Mirvish Productions
- Toronto Dance Theatre
Tuition and fees range 2024-2025
For detailed fees information, visit tuition and fees by program.
Full-time format:
Ontario students: $7,305 - $7,798
Out-of-province students: $8,481 - $8,995
International students: $35,102 - $35,521
First-year courses
Here is a preview of first-year courses based on the available undergraduate calendar information.
1st & 2nd Semester
REQUIRED:
- THF 120 Music I: Introduction
- THF 121 Music I: Advanced Introduction
- THF 111 Creative Performance Studies I
- THF 112 Creative Performance Studies II
- THF 100 Anatomy of Movement and Lifestyle I
- THF 101 Elements of Production I
- THF 200 Timelines of Performance History I
- THF 201 Timelines of Performance History II
The Creative School
The Creative School stands as a beacon of innovation. Here, creativity isn't just a skill—it's the core of everything we do, transforming learning and expanding the boundaries of what’s possible. We offer a truly transdisciplinary education that immerses students in a creative ecosystem and encourages collaboration across faculties and around the globe.
The Creative School degree programs
Thinking of applying? Make sure the program is still accepting applications.
Academic requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent with a minimum of six Grade 12 U or M courses including the following program specific requirements.
Typically, a minimum overall average of 70% establishes eligibility for admission consideration; subject to competition individual programs may require higher prerequisite grades and/or higher overall averages:
- English/anglais (ENG 4U/EAE 4U preferred).
- The minimum grade required in the subject prerequisite (normally in the 65-70% range) will be determined subject to competition.
Academic admission requirements for all other applicants are available on the admission requirements page.
Fall 2025 non-academic requirement due date:
February 1, 2025 or 10 business days from your application submission date, whichever comes later.
This is a Grades-Plus program. In addition to meeting competitive academic requirements, you are required to submit the following non-academic requirements. Your ability to follow and adhere to the requirements is part of the assessment of your application.
Applicants may attend an in-person audition OR submit all components of their non-academic requirements (including the audition) online.
The audition panel strongly recommends that you audition in person, as a digital file is sometimes a flat, two-dimensional medium, which may not demonstrate your full potential.
In-person auditions will commence in January 2025. The Performance: Dance degree program will contact you via email with an invitation to sign up for an audition date after you have applied to the program.
Please ensure you have paid the $50 assessment fee online prior to attending your audition. This fee is in addition to your application fee. You will not be able to proceed with the audition if the fee is unpaid. Please see the Assessment Fee tab below for instructions on how to pay.
Please read the instructions carefully. Incomplete packages will not be assessed. You are required to bring the following with you to your audition (do not submit prior):
- Photograph: Bring a recent photograph of yourself with your name, TMU Student Number and audition date printed on the back.
- Resumé: Prepare a current resumé/curriculum vitae highlighting your dance training. Be sure to include the names and addresses of your dance schools and the names of your dance teachers.
- Reference Letters: Two reference letters are a requirement for admission consideration. The reference letters should be from dance instructors, either from your high school or your dance studios.
- Note: The School of Performance will not return submitted materials. It is recommended that you submit copies rather than originals.
Audition
Dress code for in-person auditions
Please wear tights, leotard/fitted T-shirt and ballet slippers for ballet. Form-fitting, comfortable clothing is required for jazz and modern/contemporary. If you have jazz shoes or indoor sneakers, please feel free to bring them. You may also be asked to work in bare feet and/or socks for modern/contemporary. Hair must be up and off your face.
Expectations for the in-person auditions
Be prepared for:
- 50-minute ballet class
- 30-minute jazz class
- 30-minute modern/contemporary class
- Solo component
- Short, individual interviews with Dance faculty members
Solo component: You may be asked to perform a solo as part of the audition process. Please prepare a one-minute solo in the dance form of your choice. Faculty would prefer to see contemporary movement in the solo, if possible (no pointe work). Please ensure your music source is reliable.
Important notes
- All candidates must have some prior training in at least one of the following disciplines: ballet, modern, jazz or contemporary dance
- All candidates will audition in the presence of other candidates taking part in the session as well as the audition panel
- All candidates must commit three to four hours to the audition process
In order to submit your non-academic requirements online, you are required to email audition@torontomu.ca first. The required items will then be added to your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal allowing you to submit. You must submit all components (including the audition) via the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal if selecting this option. See the Submission Instructions tab below.
These requirements are due by February 1, 2025 or 10 business days from your application submission date, whichever comes later. We therefore ask that you send the above email well in advance of this date.
Assessment fee
Please ensure you pay the $50 assessment fee online, along with uploading your non-academic requirements. This fee is in addition to your application fee. Your submission will not be assessed if the fee is unpaid. Please see the Assessment Fee tab below for instructions on how to pay.
Materials for online auditions
The faculty will assess your performance based on the materials that you include. With this in mind, we encourage you to present your best self in your audition material.
1) Photograph
Submit a recent photograph of yourself.
Please save the image as a .pdf file and upload this via the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal.
2) Resumé
Prepare a current resumé/curriculum vitae highlighting your dance training. Be sure to include the names and addresses of your dance schools and the names of your dance teachers.
Please save your resumé as a .pdf file and upload this via the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal.
3) Two reference letters
Two reference letters are a requirement for admission consideration. The reference letters should be from dance instructors, either from your high school or your dance studios.
Please review your submission instructions in the tab below.
4) Audition
Please provide a YouTube or Vimeo link to your audition video in a .pdf document and upload this file following the Submission Instructions below. Make the link public OR be sure to include the password in your .pdf file. Confirm that your link works and will not expire.
At the beginning of your video, state your name, where you are from, your age and height. Tell us why you are auditioning for TMU’s School of Performance: Dance Program.
Part I - Ballet
Dress code: Tights, leotard/fitted T-shirt and ballet slippers, hair off your face
Required elements: Please refer to the table below.
| A) Barre work (10 minutes maximum) | B) Centre work (10 minutes maximum) * everything both sides |
|---|---|
|
|
Part II - Modern/contemporary/jazz sequences
Dress code: Form-fitting dance clothing. Hair must be up and off your face.
Required elements:
- Simple phrase showing torso articulation (e.g. side curve, forward curve, spirals, high release/lift)
- Short floor work phrase highlighting your flexibility and including rolls and level changes
- Short phrase highlighting the use of isolations, musicality and movement with rhythm and groove.
Part III - Choreographed solos
Please include two (2), one-minute combinations or choreographed solos of contrasting styles in jazz, modern/contemporary and/or any other discipline of dance you have studied. The panel is looking for the following in your online audition:
- Alignment and posture
- Mobility and flexibility
- Clarity and articulation
- Coordination and agility
- Stability, balance, and control
- Strength and power
- Projection and presentation
- Musicality and phrasing
- Expression and performance quality
- Efficiency and freedom of movement
- Flow/fluidity/transition in movement
- Use of turnout
- Use of breath
- Rhythm
- Groundedness/earthiness
- Groove
- Nuance and sensitivity
- Use of dynamics
Showcase your technique, movement and performance qualities, artistry, passion, and versatility.
Important notes
- All candidates must have some prior training in at least one of the following disciplines: ballet, modern, jazz or contemporary dance
- Applications will not be considered if incomplete or the video link provided does not work
The non-academic requirements assessment fee is $50 CAD and must be paid in order for your submission to be reviewed. Here’s how to pay:
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Access your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal account (instructions to access the portal can be found below under Submission Instructions).
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Click on the button to link to the eForms Centre.
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Next, click on the eForms Center tile.
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Then click on the Non-Academic Fee Form link.
Applicants are required to submit all components of their non-academic requirements via the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal. Due to the volume of applications received and our system performance, we strongly encourage you to submit your documents well in advance of the noted deadlines.
Here’s how to access your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal account:
- Get your TMU Student Number in the email acknowledgement of your application
- Activate your TMU Online Identity. Fill in the Activation Form on the Accounts website. When asked for your Student/Applicant ID, enter your nine-digit TMU Student Number. Keep a record of your user name and password
- 24 hours after activating your TMU Online Identity, visit the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal
Complete the following steps to submit your Reference Forms:
- Input your references’ contact information via the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal. Please ensure that all reference information is inputted accurately. If you wish to amend your reference information (e.g. change reference, change email address) please complete and submit the (google form) Upload Help Form (external link, opens in new window) .
- Have your references complete the Reference Form. Your references will receive an email giving access to the Reference Form and instructions. If a reference has not received the email, please ask your reference to review their “trash” or “junk mail.” To request that the email be sent again, please complete and submit the (google form) Upload Help Form (external link, opens in new window) .
- Confirm that your references have completed the Reference Form. A Reference Form is complete once its status on the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal indicates “Received.” It is your responsibility to ensure each reference completes their Reference Form by the noted deadline.
If you are applying for readmission or reinstatement, you may not be required to submit non-academic requirements. You must inform Undergraduate Admissions of your intentions.
Contact ServiceHub at 416-979-5036 by and ask to speak with the admissions officer by February 1, 2025, or 10 business days from your application submission date (whichever comes later).
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Notes:
- Actual minimum grade ranges required for fall 2025 admission/wait list consideration will be determined based on grades and qualifications presented by the applicant pool as they become available. Required grade ranges may fluctuate from year to year (up or down) as a result of competition. Applicants not educated in Ontario may present the equivalent of the Ontario requirements. TMU reserves the right to determine equivalency at its sole discretion.
Disclaimer:
While every effort is made to ensure accuracy on this site, in the event of a discrepancy, TMU's current Undergraduate Calendar is the official reference.