Graduate & Diploma Programs

Arts Umbrella Graduate Program

This program provides high-level dance training towards a professional career in dance. Applicants must be at an advanced ballet level with a pre-professional background. The program consists of daily classes at Arts Umbrella, including ballet, Cecchetti exam prep, pointe work and modern dance training. The program also features residencies with guest choreographers and rehearsals with the Arts Umbrella Dance company.

Vancouver Community College & Arts Umbrella Dance Diploma

This unique partnership between Arts Umbrella and Vancouver Community College (VCC) furthers the Graduate Program with academic classes in arts and culture, rhythm training and professional business skills through VCC. After successful completion of the program, students will earn a dance diploma granted under the authority of the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education. Applicants must be at an advanced ballet level, and meet the requirements of VCC. For a complete list of classes, visit www.vcc.ca

Dance auditions for the 2010-2011 program year will be held on March 21, 2010 at Arts Umbrella, Granville Island. Click here for an audition application form.

For a table of audition times, Click here.

DVD and Letter of Reference

Applicants who cannot attend the Vancouver audition in March (and have never attended Arts Umbrella Summer Dance Intensive) must submit a DVD and letter of reference with their application form. The letter must be from a current dance teacher supporting the student’s application and outlining the student’s work ethic, focus, strength and stamina, and ability to take direction and excel in an intense program.

DVD must demonstrate the following elements:

Close-up of face and figure Barre work (one side only) including pliés, tendus & dégagé, adagé with arabesque and attitude lines, grands battements  

Centre practice & pirouettes from 5th, 2nd or 4th position on the right and left sides, en dehors and en dedans  

Allegro including one warm-up jump to include sauté, glissade, assemblé, and travelling jumps including grand jeté en tournant and jeté en avant  

Pointe work (for girls) including echappé relevé in 2nd and 4th positions, retiré relevé, and diagonal of piqué turns  

Solo 1-2 minute solo variation in classical or contemporary  

Boys: all of the above (except pointe), as well as tour en l’air (single or double), and batterie

Applications to the Diploma Program must be done online through VCC. Click here to access. 

Registration for successful applicants opens June 21, 2010.
Eligible bursary applications (based on financial need) and supporting documentation due at time of registration.

For more information, contact the Registrar: registration@artsumbrella.com