EDCM
Auditions2025-10-01T15:01:59-04:00

PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM

Auditions

The École de danse contemporaine de Montréal is holding auditions for its 3-year professional training program in Contemporary Dance-Interpretation (Diploma of Collegial Studies, DEC 561.BB), starting in August 2026.

KEY DATES

Deadline for audition applications or video applications: January 8, 2026 (at 11.59 p.m.)

First round audition - Montreal (QC): January 23-25, 2026

Second round audition: February 20-22, 2026

Written confirmation of final results: March, 2026

You will be redirected to a secure platform to complete your registration.

FIRST ROUND AUDITION IN STUDIO

Everyone who submits a complete application will be invited by letter to attend the first round auditions. Applicants will be asked to attend one of the first round audition dates. The jury is composed of members of the School’s administrative and teaching staff, who possess a wide range of teaching skills. Candidates residing within Quebec must opt for an in-person audition (some exceptions may apply).

Contemporary Dance Technique Class
The technique class runs for two hours, during which committee members assess candidates’ physical potential, technical ability and artistic talent.

Improvisation Class
The structured improvisation class is designed to help evaluate the applicants’ potential and artistic qualities, with particular attention to:
• originality
• personal expression
• ability to interact with other dancers
• openness to direction from the teacher

FIRST ROUND AUDITION BY VIDEO

Candidates residing outside of Quebec, may opt for a video audition. Video candidates must send a complete application no later than the date mentionned at the top of the page, along with the link (Youtube, Vimeo...) of your 15-minute video. The video must include the components below.

Floor work
1. Warm-up exercice (demonstration of mobility in the entire body : spine, arms, pelvis, hips, legs) (1 side only)

Standing centre work
2. Plies incorporating spine movement; parallel in 1st and  turned out in 1st and 2nd positions (once only)
3. Tendus et dégagés with transfers of weight, passés and bounce (front, side, back) (both sides) ;
4. A slow controlled phrase incorporating leg extensions (both sides);
5. Small stationary jumps (once only) ;

Traveling work
6. A dynamic across the floor phrase that incorporates turns, jumps, and a passage to the floor  (both sides) ;
7. Contemporary dance improvisation;
8. Contemporary dance solo: Maximum 2 minutes ;

Please note the following:

The evaluation committee is made up of the École de danse contemporaine de Montréal's faculty.

You must wear form fitting dance attire so that the evaluation committee can assess your full potential. If the studio walls where you record your video audition are white, it is best to wear black or navy blue.

You must demonstrate musical precision in relation to the musical accompaniment for the exercises on your video audition.

SECOND ROUND AUDITION

Whether candidates are accepted or not, all are informed in writing of the results of their first round audition. Two weeks before the first round audition in Montreal, approximately fourty people will receive a written invitation to take part in the second round audition, which is held over three days. Candidates must be present for the entire event.

The second round of auditions consists of six stages.

1- Technique class

The combinations for the technique classes for the second round audition are more difficult than those for the first round audition, but the evaluation criteria remain the same.

2- Repertory class

A choreography from the School's repertory is taught to the candidates by a faculty member. This activity serves to verify the candidates’ sense of movement, performance qualities, memorization abilities, coordination and musicality.

3- Improvisation class

4- Composition class

The composition activity is a collaborative exercise in which candidates are asked to create a short choreography both in smaller groups and as a whole. It serves to evaluate the candidates’ ability to work as a team, their communication skills and their openness.

5- Solo

Each candidate invited to the second round auditions must perform a two-minute solo in contemporary dance before the evaluation committee. This may be their own creation or that of a choreographer. For the solo, the candidate have to send their music prior the audition and bring it on a cellular, a CD or a Mp3 player. Wearing a costume is not permitted.

6- Individual interview

The interview is intended to determine the motivation and personal objectives of the candidates. This is also an opportunity to answer their questions and provide information about certain aspects of the program.

Limited enrollment: twenty spaces are available in total. Twenty candidates will thus be invited to register for the program and a certain number of qualified candidates will be placed on a waiting list. Candidates on the waiting list will be called if any of the accepted candidates decline.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Some useful information regarding the audition process.

Required attire and equipment: Please wear the appropriate attire (unitard, leotard, etc.). Applicants may change and leave their street clothes in the changing rooms during the audition. Applicants are required to dance barefoot. However, please bring appropriate footwear for walking between studios. We strongly recommend that you bring your own water and food with you. A microwave oven, refrigerator and beverage vending machine are available for your use.

Contingent program: A maximum of 25 students will be invited to enrol in the program. A certain number of qualified candidates will be put on a waiting list and contacted should a place become available.

Transmission of results: Considering the large number of applications and the nature of the information in question, no audition results or feedback concerning the auditions will be given over the phone.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The evaluation criteria focus on five main areas.

Physical Potential

  • Posture Mobility of torso, limbs and pelvis
  • Neuromuscular control and tone
  • Coordination
  • Efficiency of movement

Technical skills

  • In-depth knowledge of the basic vocabulary common to modern, classical and jazz techniques (pliés, legwork, turns, jumps, adages and floor work)
  • Ability to dance to different tempos
  • Dynamics
  • Memorization

Creativity and originality

  • Ability to improvise through exploring personal gesture
  • Ability to interact with other dancers, space and music while still focussing on one’s own movements

Personal expression

  • Expressiveness
  • Ability to express oneself through improvisation
  • Ability to convey feelings, emotions and ideas through movement

Open-mindedness

  • Responsiveness
  • Sensitivity to others
  • Ability to listen actively and be open to others’ ideas
  • Experimentation and willingness to try new things

FAQ

Dance courses (all styles), choreography courses, participation in competitions, any involvement with amateur dance companies, other art courses or training, other arts practiced (music, theatre, etc.)

Administrative fees of $50 apply for the first round audition registration. There are no additional fees for the second round audition.

Yes, you can reapply to the École de danse contemporaine de Montréal. Please note: due to the number of candidates auditionning for EDCM, we are unable to send individual evaluations to the candidates.

Yes! Provided that your basic technique is satisfactory and you meet most of the admission criteria.

Although there is no official age limit, the evaluation committee does take into account the age of candidates in view of the reality of a career in dance at the end of the three-year training program.

Photo: Juan David Padilla | Dancer: Nora Paquet

Go to Top