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:: Auditions

Audition registration process | Auditioning by DVD | Key dates | Preparatory classes for professional training | Evaluation criteria | Preliminary and final auditions | FAQ

Audition registration process

All applicants must have completed their high school diploma (DES) or an equivalent course of study. To be eligible to audition, candidates must submit a complete entrance application before February 3, 2012 (new deadline), including: 

• a completed audition registration form
• a completed questionnaire on previous dance experience and instruction
• a copy of their birth certificate
• an attestation or transcript of artistic studies if applicable
• an official copy of their most recent academic report card (bearing the school seal) and, in the case that an applicant’s most recent transcript is from a University, a copy of their high school diploma is obligatory;
• any relevant medical information
• two recent photographs (4” x 6”), one head shot and one full-length shot in dance attire, with the name of applicant indicated on the back
• a certified cheque or money order in the amount of $50 payable to LADMMI for registration fees (non-refundable)

Important: Incomplete or illegible applications will not be accepted. None of the above-mentioned documents will be returned. The preliminary audition date will be confirmed by letter.

National Audition Tour

Each fall, a jury hits the road to recruit talented young dancers from across Canada. In addition to Montreal, preliminary auditions are held in Toronto, Vancouver and Halifax.

Toronto: October 25-26
Vancouver: October 28-29
Halifax: November 5-6

Applicants from outside Montreal

If you live more than 1,000 kilometres away from Montreal and cannot be present for the preliminary auditions, please include with your application package a DVD featuring at least 35 minutes of technique class exercises, showing floor work, dance sequences, jumps and a short solo performance (maximum two minutes). Attendance at the final auditions is compulsory.

For those candidates living more than 1000 kilometres from Montreal and auditioning by DVD for the preliminary audition, you should include the following in your DVD:

• 1 complete body warm up exercise* on the floor
• 1 standing exercise that mobilizes the torso
• 1 tendu exercise
• 1 dégagé exercise
• 1 adage including extensions (leg at 90 degrees high)
• Triplets crossing the space
• Small jumps on place and moving across the space
• 1 long movement phrase travelling across the space including a pas on the floor
• Big jumps travelling across the space
• A 2-minute contemporary dance solo
• 1 short contemporary dance improvisation

*Length of each exercise: 2 minutes maximum

Please note the following:

• Before preparing you DVD audition, please consult the evaluation criteria as mentioned in the Admission Guide 2012.

• As requested for the auditions held at LADMMI, you must wear form fitting dance attire on your audition DVD which will allow the evaluation committee to see your full potential. If the walls of the studio where you record your DVD audition are white, it is best to wear black or navy blue.

• We request that you demonstrate musical precision in relation to the musical accompaniment for the exercises (1 to 9) in your DVD audition.

Key Dates for 2012 Admissions

National audition Tour: October 25 to November 6, 2011
Open House Event: November 26
Deadline for audition applications : February 3, 2012
Preliminary auditions : February 18-19
Written confirmation of initial decisions : Mid-March
Final auditions : March 17-18
Written confirmation of final results : Mid-April

Note: The above dates may change depending on the number of applications received.

Preparatory classes for professional training

In order to meet entrance requirements, applicants need a minimum of six hours of dance training per week, as well as dance related physical training. LADMMI therefore provides Preparatory classes for professional training for all those who are interested. This program is offered in the fall and winter sessions. Although these classes do not guarantee admission to either of the professional training programs, they are an excellent way to prepare for the auditions and to learn more about the basics of contemporary dance. 

!!! Find out more on Preparatory classes for professional training.

 

Evaluation criteria

Applicants are evaluated based on a series of specific criteria.

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
• Willingness to try new things

Preliminary audition

Every year, more than 100 people register for this audition. All applicants who submit a complete application file are sent a written invitation to take part. The preliminary audition is held over two weekend days and each applicant is invited to attend either on the Saturday or the Sunday. The evaluation committee is made up of LADMMI's faculty.

Contemporary dance technique class The technique class lasts two hours. During this time, the evaluation committee evaluates the candidates’ physical potential, their mastery of the technical elements of contemporary dance and their talent.

Improvisation class The structured improvisation class evaluates the candidates’ potential and artistic qualities. The evaluation committee pays particular attention to:

• the originality of their performance;
• their personal expression;
• their ability to interact with the members of the group;
• Their openness with respect to the trainer’s instructions.

ATTIRE

Final audition

Whether candidates are accepted or not, all are informed in writing of the results of their preliminary audition. Two weeks after the preliminary audition, approximately thirty people will receive a written invitation to take part in the final audition, which is held over a weekend. Candidates must be present for the entire weekend.

Technique class The combinations for the technique classes for the final audition are more difficult than those for the preliminary audition, but the evaluation criteria remain the same. The evaluation committee assesses the candidates’ physical potential, their mastery of the technical elements of contemporary dance and their talent.

Repertory class A choreography from the LADMMI 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.

Improvisation class This improvisation class is lead by a member of the teaching staff and its aim is to evaluate the physical and artistic potential of the candidates.

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.

Solo Each candidate invited to the final 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 may provide the CD track. Wearing a costume is not permitted.

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.

AUDITION RESULTS
Please do not call for your audition result. 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.

Limited enrolment: A maximum of 20 students will be accepted every year. These candidates 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.

FAQ

Is there an age limit for applying for the auditions? 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.

When are the preliminary and final auditions held? Every year, the preliminary auditions are held in mid-February and the final auditions in mid-March. The dates are posted on our Web site in the Calendar section round the middle of the previous fall.

What do the two auditions cost? Administrative fees of $50 apply for preliminary audition registration. There are no additional fees for the final auditions.

What must I provide as relevant (artistic) experience in my application file? 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.)

How may people apply for the auditions? Every year, more than 100 candidates apply for admission to the program. Only twenty of them are invited to register, while a certain number of qualified candidates are placed on a waiting list.

I’ve been dancing for several years (particularly hip hop), but I’ve never been involved in contemporary dance. Do I stand a chance at passing the auditions? Yes! Provided that your basic technique is satisfactory and you meet most of the admission criteria. For more details, consult the Admission Guide.

If I don’t pass the auditions, can I try again next year? If you are not accepted, the evaluation committee will provide comments indicating whether or not they encourage you to reapply to LADMMI.