Contemporary Dance (BFA)

Contemporary dance reflects the present. It redefines existing forms of dance and evolves new ways of moving. Our program affords you the time, space and opportunities to advance your creative and technical capacities as a choreographer and performer.

Our program is unique in offering core choreography and creative process courses over the full span of your degree, with technical training that supports choreographic research and versatility in performance.

Our faculty members are dance professionals, actively connected to the contemporary dance community. From the moment you arrive, you will be treated as an emerging artist, developing your vision with the faculty’s skill and guidance. You will stage your own choreographies, collaborate across disciplines, and perform in new works created by your peers.

Montreal is a city with no shortage of role models. Our alumni have a strong tradition of innovation and initiative. There is room for you to make your mark here. It is the perfect place to take risks, push your limits and feel confident launching a professional career in contemporary dance.

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)

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.

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.

This program is available for Fall admission only.

Minimum cut-off averages and course requirements

• Quebec CEGEP: DEC
  • Additional information for CEGEP applicants
• High School: C+
  • ACT or SAT is NOT required 
  • Canadian curricula course requirements
  • Accepted international qualifications
• International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma: 26
• 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

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.

Additional requirements for admission

• 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.

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