Dance
BFA
Express yourself in Canada’s most comprehensive dance program at York AMPD. Our BFA Dance program balances movement and theory, guiding you to become a skilled and reflective dancer, choreographer or teacher. With opportunities to perform, explore production and design, and gain real-world experience, this program prepares you for a vibrant career as an engaged leader in diverse dance communities.
On this page
- Program Overview
- Student & Alumni Testimonials
- Program Highlights
- Learning Outcomes
- How to Apply
- Get in Touch
AMPD is proud to be ranked #2 in Ontario and #3 in Canada for Performing Arts.
Program Overview
York University’s Dance (BFA) program gives students a strong foundation in technique, choreography, creative practice and dance studies. In your first year, you’ll explore multiple areas of dance, building the technical, artistic and academic groundwork you’ll draw on throughout your degree. You’ll be working in state-of-the-art studios in a supportive, collaborative environment.
In upper years, you’ll have increased performance opportunities. You can also audition for the York Dance Ensemble, our resident company that offers intensive training and performance experience. You’ll have opportunities to develop skills beyond dance, in lighting design, dance production, composition and creative technologies, learning how dance connects with emerging media, digital tools and interdisciplinary collaboration. Guest artists, collaborative research and performance opportunities will help you build real-world experience and confidence as you prepare for graduate studies or careers in performance, choreography, teaching, arts management and more.
Sample Courses
As a Dance student you can take courses like:
- Ballet/Contemporary Dance
- Dance Production
- Traditional and Current Dances of Sub-Saharan Africa
- Movement Foundations and Conditioning for Dancers
Career Possibilities
As a Dance student you can become:
- Choreographer
- Performer
- Dance teacher
- Dance scholar and researcher
- Movement therapist
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Department
Theatre, Dance & Performance
Duration
4 years
Evaluation process
Questionnaire and Audition
Entry Options
Fall, Summer
Next Steps
We’re excited that you’re considering applying to York University's School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD). Check out our step-by-step guide to submitting an application.
Student & Alumni Testimonials
There are so many things that I love about the Dance program, but I'd say my favourite thing is being able to work so closely with other artists my age and our teachers. It's just so incredible to be able to work every single day with the same people and get see growth in each other. It's such a tight knit program!
Kaitlyn Wood
A Fourth-Year Dance Student
I love that at AMPD, we take a holistic approach to dance. We have the opportunity to learn not just about the physical practice, but also the history of dance and choreographic methods. We read, write and are fully immersed in the art of dance. These are the things I didn’t think I would get elsewhere, but I knew I could get them at York.
Kemora Manning
Fourth-Year Dance Student
Something that I love about our program is how close we all are. Not only with our peers, but also with all our professors and even our musicians. This program offers so many opportunities and shows you that there are so many different career options within dance, some that I didn't know were possible.
Kristina Paulovits
Fourth-Year Dance Student
Being a dance student at York University has given me countless opportunities to both train, perform, and create at an advanced pre-professional level. As a second year student in the Choreography and Performance stream, I already have been able to perform in nearly 6 shows as well as create and train within my normal school hours. The teachers and fellow students in the dance program all foster individual expression as well as share the common goal of furthering ourselves as artists, no matter which area of the dance world peaks your interest, which is unlike any other program in the province.
Hanna T
Third-year Dance Student
My time at York was actually amazing. I never put myself in a box and nor did York University and it opened up so many doors. York has everything to do with my success now.
Debra Brown (BFA ’78)
Principal Choreographer, Cirque du Soleil
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Program Highlights
First and most comprehensive dance program in Canada.
Experience many forms of dance. Students learn about the rich history and traditions of dance from across the globe and present-day global perspectives.
Access to state-of-the-art studio and performance facilities.
Supportive environment that fosters optimal learning and development.
Students have the opportunity to not only perform and create dance pieces but to produce and manage the many aspects of public performances and performance-based events.
Develop skills for a rich and rewarding career. Students experience a well-integrated curriculum that explores the many facets of dance artistry, opening up career possibilities.
Learning Outcomes
Share your story, find your vision, build the future
- Engage creatively with initiating, forming, presenting, and teaching dance;
- Demonstrate a range of artistic and scholarly practices in Performance/Choreography and Education;
- Perform/create dance works across a range of forms; develop and teach dance classes to diverse communities and populations; research and write about dance in various contexts;
- Acknowledge and work with their own strengths and limitations and be able to apply technical and expressive abilities, and critical awareness in class and performance; and
- Work within a collaborative creative team to provide production and design support for a dance performance.
How to Apply
Get Ready to Apply
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IMPORTANT DATES
Stay informed about all the key dates and deadlines for applying. Make sure to submit your application by the specified deadline to ensure guaranteed consideration. Note that some programs require a supplementary application, so be sure to check the deadlines for those as well.
TUITION, FEES & FUNDING
Tuition and Fees will be paid to York University. For information on Undergraduate Tuition and Fees, please see the Future Students Website. Entrance Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries are available each year to support your education.
REQUIREMENTS
Our programs are open to students directly from high school, those with previous post-secondary studies, international students, exchange students, and mature applicants.
Get in Touch
Reach out to us for more information on our programs, upcoming events, open houses, and applying to AMPD. We're here to assist you with any questions you may have and to help guide you through the application process.
Need More Information?
If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to connect with us. Our team is here to help! You can also schedule a visit to see our campus in person.