Discover TMU: Open House
Performance: Dance - BFA
Full-time format:
4 Year
Part-time format:
N/A
Requirements:
Grades-Plus
Grade range:
Mid 70s
Faculty:
The Creative School
Experiential learning:
Studio course(s) available
On this page
Is this degree for you?
Discover your potential at TMU’s Performance: Dance degree program, the most intensive and comprehensive of its kind in Canada. With a combination of dance training and classes in improvisation, composition, music, acting, film and more, you’ll become a skillful, versatile dance artist and a thoughtful collaborator.
Experiential learning opportunities: Studio course(s) available
In the heart of Toronto’s performance scene, you’ll have countless opportunities to partner and perform with highly acclaimed guest artists and arts organizations. Perform original works for the stage and film through collaborations with renowned choreographers and industry professionals such as Fall For Dance North, Côté Danse, Adelheid Dance Projects and more. You’ll build the tools you need for a successful career as a performer, choreographer, educator and leader of the next generation of dance professionals.
The following is a preview of first-year courses based on the available current academic undergraduate calendar for this program.
1st Semester
LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.
* PFD 100 has a Course Count of 2.00 and a GPA weight of 2.00.
2nd Semester
LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.
* PFD 101 has a Course Count of 2.00 and a GPA weight of 2.00.
Career possibilities:
- Arts administrator
- Choreographer
- Dancer
- Producer
- Physical therapist
Employer possibilities:
- Compagnie Marie Chouinard
- Côté Danse
- Disney Cruise Line
- Mirvish Productions
- Toronto Dance Theatre
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 students across all years of study. This year, the show 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
This is a Grades-Plus program. Admission decisions for Grades-Plus programs are based on academic performance plus non-academic criteria such as interviews, auditions, essays and portfolios. Your ability to follow and adhere to the requirements is part of the assessment of your application.
Academic requirements for full-time, 4-year program
To be considered for admission, Ontario high school students must meet the following requirements:
- Completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- Completion of 6 Grade 12 U or M courses with a minimum overall average of 70%
- Completion of the following required Grade 12 U course with a minimum grade of 70%:
- English/anglais (ENG4U/EAE4U preferred)
An overall average of 70% is required for consideration. Due to competition, the average needed for admission can fluctuate each year (it depends on the number of applications received and the number of spaces available). The grade range at the top of this page represents the average required in previous years.
Academic admission requirements for all other applicants are available on the admission requirements page. If you haven’t been educated in Ontario, you may be considered with the equivalent of the Ontario requirements. TMU reserves the right to determine equivalency at its sole discretion.
Fall 2026 non-academic requirement due date:
February 1, 2026 or 10 business days from your application submission date, whichever comes later.
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 2026. 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 won't be able to proceed with the audition if the fee is unpaid. Please refer to the assessment fee section below for instructions on how to pay.
Please read the instructions carefully. Incomplete packages won't be assessed. You're 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: Your 2 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 won't return submitted materials. It's 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:
- 60-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 3-4 hours to the audition process
In order to submit your non-academic requirements online, you're 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. Please refer to the submission instructions section below.
These requirements are due by February 1, 2026 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 won't be assessed if the fee is unpaid. Please refer to the assessment fee section 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) Reference letters
Your 2 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 won't expire.
At the beginning of your video, state your name, where you are from, your age and height. Tell us why you're 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 (15 minutes maximum) | B) Centre work (15 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 your artistry and demonstrating the use of isolations, musicality and movement with rhythm and groove.
Part III - Choreographed solos
Please include 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
- Artistry and performance quality
- 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 won't be considered if incomplete or the video link provided doesn't 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:
-
Access your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal account (instructions to access the portal can be found below under Submission Instructions).
-
Click on the button to link to the eForms Centre.
-
Next, click on the eForms Center tile.
-
Then click on the Non-Academic Fee Form link.
You're 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 9-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) .
- 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) .
- 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're applying for readmission or reinstatement, you may not be required to submit non-academic requirements. You must inform Undergraduate Admissions of your intentions.
Contact the ServiceHub at 416-979-5036 and ask to speak with the admissions officer by February 1, 2026, or 10 business days from your application submission date (whichever comes later).
Tuition and fees range 2025-2026
For detailed fees info, visit tuition and fees by program and costs to expect.
Full-time format:
Ontario: $7,353 - $7,846
Out-of-province: $8,892 - $9,414
International: $36,845 - $37,265
Over $20M across all levels of study
We award more than $20M in awards, scholarships and bursaries throughout all years of study.
Find scholarships for you.
Explore financial assistance
Learn more about government financial aid programs like OSAP, out-of-province student loans and U.S. student loans.
Apply for financial assistance.
“Through the immersive experiences of the program and the opportunities to delve into different dance forms, I discovered new dimensions of creativity and expression that have sparked a passion within me.”
- Millina Fletcher, Performance Dance, Class of 2024
75%
Time spent in studio and rehearsals
Creativity is the catalyst for building the future — driving insights, inspiring learning and expanding what’s possible. At The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), creativity is at the heart of every experience. With unique programs, global partnerships and practical experience in the heart of Toronto, you’ll evolve your craft. You’ll graduate ready for an impactful, fulfilling career.
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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.
