MARITIME CONSERVATORY SCHOOL OF DANCE
Professional Ballet Program
Excellence in dance instruction, right here in the here in the heart of Halifax.
The School of Dance’s full-time Professional Ballet Program is designed for dancers aged 12-17 years looking to explore a professional career in dance. With a focus on developing versatile dancers through exposure to a variety of disciplines and techniques, our full-time programming will challenge and inspire students in a supportive environment.
Students are instructed and mentored by our distinguished faculty and prominent guest instructors. Faculty will nurture each dancer’s individual strengths and promise, with ballet-centred programming developed to build artistic potential and refine technique. Dancer health and safe training practices are at the forefront of our curriculum which aims to prepare students for the demands of a career in dance. Class sizes are limited to ensure individual attention and development.
Graduates of our Professional Ballet Program can be found dancing in various companies and post secondary dance programs, as well as pursuing academic studies in university programs, throughout the world.
Course of Study
During the academic year (September to June) students in the full-time Professional Ballet Program can expect daily dance classes both during the day and evenings, weekdays and weekends, with additional performance opportunities and rehearsals included. Scheduling will be coordinated with academic studies. Students are also required to attend our annual Summer Dance Intensive in August.
Technique classes include: classical ballet, pointe, modern dance, jazz, character, composition and conditioning for the dancer’s body. Students will also study
dance history, variation and repertoire development, and for dancers deemed ready by faculty, pas de deux.
Customized training for each student will be provided through weekly private lessons for individualized coaching.
Full-time students will be assessed on an ongoing basis each year. Students who meet program standards and challenges will be invited to return for the following year, and are not required to attend a formal audition.
Audition Information
Candidates should arrive 30 minutes before scheduled audition class to complete registration and submit paperwork.
Parent/student orientation and audition class are scheduled inclusively. Please bring completed registration form and required documentation pertaining to the program you are applying to. Candidates who have not pre-registered must submit application fee prior to the audition class. Fee schedule and forms are available through the Conservatory’s administration office.
Auditioning by Video
If you are unable to attend any of the auditions in person, video auditions are accepted. Completed application form, photos, and audition fee must accompany your DVD, USB or viewable link. Please label clearly and submit all components via email or mail.
If submitting a viewable link for your video, upload to YouTube or Vimeo and set the privacy viewing to public or unlisted (not private). Send link c/o the Dean of Dance to academic@maritimeconservatory.com.
Your DVD or USB, photos, audition fee and completed forms can also be mailed to:
Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts
6199 Chebucto Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3L 1K7 Attention: Dean of Dance.
Video Specifications: Your video should not exceed 20 minutes. Video content should demonstrate both sides (right and left) of:
Barre: Plies, Tendus and Dégagés, Rond de Jambe, Adage, and Grand Battements
Centre: Port de bras, Pirouettes, Adage, Petit Allegro, and Grand Allegro
Solo: Classical ballet or contemporary solo of your choosing
Attire – As listed for in-person auditions above.
Please include a short introduction to present yourself at the beginning of the video
Acceptance into the full-time Professional Ballet Program is a two stage process. Dancers must first attend an audition at Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts, an audition tour location, or submit a video audition. Successful candidates will then be invited to participate in the second audition phase at our two week Summer Dance Intensive in August, during which students are assessed on their suitability for our program.
Tuition:
Please contact our administrative office for current tuition fees. Scholarships and Bursaries are available through Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts. Additional costs not included in tuition include uniform (dance wear, dance shoes), textbooks, examination fees (Royal Academy of Dance, Cecchetti Society). Boarding/billeting fees and travel expenses are not included in tuition.
Accommodation:
Billeting arrangements can be made for students under 18. Boarding opportunities may be made available to older students. Homestays for students 18 and under may be coordinated in conjunction with our partner school Armbrae Academy
Application Checklist:
To ensure that your application materials are processed in a timely manner, please ensure that all of the following documents are submitted as one complete package:
1. Completed Application Form
2. Audition Video (if not auditioning in person)
3. Application/Audition Fee
4. Two Photos (see information below)
5. Copies of recent dance exam certificates
Photo Specifications:
Applications must be accompanied by two photos (4×6)
Photo 1 – the dancer standing in 1st arabesque à terre de côté (tendu derrière on the ground taken in sideview), ensuring that the entire body is shown
Photo 2 – headshot (a closeup shot of the dancer’s upper body and face)
Photos need not be taken professionally.