Contemporary Dance (BFA)

Dance students at Concordia discover and define their own aesthetic, method and process in a learning environment that embraces an inclusive artistic relationship between faculty and students. To support our unique focus on choreography in a social context, the program draws from contemporary practices in dance and related performance fields. This synthesized approach is carefully designed to meet the needs of choreographic research and versatility in performance. 

Our students stage their own choreographies and perform in original works created by their peers. The program is taught by artist-researchers and engages with critical and multidisciplinary approaches to contemporary choreographic practices.  Students graduate prepared to be independent artists, ready to contribute to dance and society in meaningful ways.

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.

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