PVA Dance
Dance Program Overview
PVA dance is a three-year enriched program designed for dancers interested in broadening their dance experience in a technically and artistically challenging environment. Students will develop technical skills necessary to create, perform and analyze dance and are encouraged to find personal expression and creative voice. Led by experienced professional dance educators, guest artists and choreographers, students participate in one dance class every day, covering a broad range of genres.
At the time of graduation, students will attain 50 credits in various dance courses. These courses include: Dance 15, Ballet 15, Jazz Dance 25, Contemporary Dance 25, Ballet 25, Jazz Dance 35, Contemporary Dance 35, Ballet 35, Dance Composition 35 and Professional Development in the Arts 35/Entrepeneurial Artist. Within each course, students will study technique, history, composition, anatomy and music appreciation.
Through an auditioned process, students are placed in technically appropriate classes based on previous dance history and skill acquisition (see Audition Information below).
Within the PVA program, students are exposed to multi-disciplinary art forms and are encouraged to participate within the dance community, taking extra-curricular classes and attending dance performances. We recognize that our dancers are pursuing further training outside of school, for this reason, extra-curricular commitment is minimal.
Upcoming Events
Gala of the Arts
May 8 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pmSpring Dance Lunchbox
June 1 - June 3Spring Dance Fusion
June 4
Audition/Interview Requirements for Dance
To audition for PVA Dance, students must have previously submitted all components of the PVA Application Form.
There are two parts to the dance interview and audition process. The interview consists of a 10-minute conversation between our teachers and the PVA applicant accompanied by a parent/guardian. During that time, we look for passion and commitment to dance, as well as an understanding of what the demands of our program are and if you can meet them. It’s also beneficial for students and parents to ask questions and determine if we are a good fit for them as well!
The second part of the process is the group audition. This process is meant to ensure that dancers have the skills needed for the PVA dance program. Some dancers may be asked to attend a callback audition in the following week. For this audition, dancers are to prepare a one-minute solo in a genre of their choice.
In September, students will be placed in appropriate classes based on previous dance history and skill acquisition. Both the interview and the audition will be held in Central Memorial Dance Studio Room 180.
Group Audition
Students are to come dressed in dance attire and, if possible, should bring both jazz and ballet shoes. They will participate in a 30-minute ballet class, a 20-minute jazz/modern class, a 20-minute centre combination and a 15-minute discussion/ question period with the dance teachers. Parents may not watch the dance audition but are encouraged to attend the discussion/question period during the last 15 minutes of the audition time.
Individual Interview
Applicants and a parent/guardian will be required to attend a 10-minute interview with a member of the dance department.
PVA auditions are friendly and supportive. This may be your first audition ever and we want everyone to have a positive and fun experience.
Dance Gallery
Dance Gallery Mouse over an image to see it in colour. Click to see a lightbox gallery and view all image at a larger size.CLICK ON IMAGES TO VIEW LIGHTBOX & SLIDESHOW OR VIEW ALL GALLERIES ON FLICKR [justified_image_grid...
How to Apply
All the information you need on one handy page.
PVA Application Form
Direct link to form
Our Teachers
Dance FAQ
PVA Dance Alumni
Many graduates of the PVA Dance Program have gone on to post-secondary dance programs or are currently pursuing professional careers. Alumni include:
- Ashley Irvine
Artistry in Motion, America’s Best Dance Crew Competitor - Leah Cameron, Amy Patterson
Joffrey Ballet School, New York - Edgar Gilbert-Reyes
Former Company Dancer, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks,
Top 10 – So You Think You Can Dance Canada - Sabrina Comanescu – Decidedly Jazz Danceworks company member
- Rhianna Kelba, Natalie Westerbeek, Michelle Zimmerman
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, Toronto - Janaki Banting, Brittney Gering
Concordia University, Montreal
- Katie Hanson
George Brown College, Toronto - Aliy Moore, Gemma Crowe, Victoria Gaspar, Kim Ilott, Hayley Colpitts, Rachel Stewart
University of Calgary - Bretonie Burchell
Ryerson University, Toronto - MJ Nicholson, Janna Cottingham
York University, Toronto - Brittany McLeod
Toured internationally with Rhythm
of the Dance - Erika Bell
Riverdance
- Conor Scully
Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, Toronto - Katie Baines
Working professionally in Los Angeles - Sasha Wilde
The School of Contemporary Dancers, Winnipeg - Victoria Kemp, Vanessa Mitchell
American Music and Dramatic Academy,
New York - Madison Bulloch, Jordan Chabeniuk,
Kelsey Moss, Nevada Piraux, Sammi Sniher, Drew Malinowski
The Source Dance Company, Vancouver - Anna Dueck, Teagan McMurtry
Simon Fraser University, Vancouver
Upon graduation, Natalie had the opportunity to perform with eko Dance Projects, the Fluid Movement Arts Festival, the Art Gallery of Calgary, as well as in the works of Wojtek Mochniej, Naomi Brand, Brian Hansen and several other Calgary-based choreographers. Natalie continued her training in the Toronto Dance Theatre Company Professional-Training Program where she was exposed to a broad curriculum and trained to be equipped to meet the specific and diverse demands of Canada’s professional arts community.
Since graduating from the PVA dance program, Edgar has continued to train and work in Toronto, Vancouver & Los Angeles. He has worked with Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila, and Keshia Chante. Edgar danced with the Calgary-based dance company, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks and was a Top-10 competitor on So You Think You Can Dance Canada. Edgar is currently the Artistic Director of IllFX Entertainment Inc., a Calgary-based Hip Hop performance company and education program.
The PVA Program at Central really helped me to focus on my passion towards dance and supported me strongly during the beginning of my development as a dance artist
Natalie Westerbeek
The PVA dance program really allows you to explore your movement by forcing you out of your comfort zones in a positive and creative environment
“The program really helped me mature as a dancer: teaching me respect for the history of it, to give yourself fully to a piece, and really focusing on more essential technique, so that your technique carries throughout all movements. My competitive life outside of this program taught me a lot about tricks and performing, but this program was the needed balance in my training.
“I am now about to travel to New York City for a year, having been accepted into the professional trainee program at Joffrey. I will be taking a minimum of 20 classes a week in varying styles (pointe, pas de deux, contemporary, jazz, improv, etc.), along with participating in winter and spring performances that will showcase me to professional companies. I really feel like the PVA program helped me get to this point in my life and hopefully it will help me get even farther.”
Leah Cameron