Auditions are held each spring for fall enrolment. Auditions for the 2012/2013 year will be held in May 2012.

Auditioning for the Associates Program

Auditions for the Associates program at Canada's National Ballet School take the form of a ballet class. Students are evaluated based on their abilities to listen to instruction, their musicality and their abilities to express themselves, be creative and enjoy the experience. Results of the auditions are sent by email following the audition day.

For the auditioning students under age 8, the class will be approximately 45 minutes long, and for those students older than 8, the class will be roughly one hour.

For students auditioning for the Junior Associates Program (under age 12), no ballet experience is required. The audition process examines whether or not the participants are able to listen to instructions and take direction, as well as their ability to focus in a dance studio. A level of musicality and willingness to move is also considered. The Junior Associates is a 6-level certificate program.

For students auditioning for the Senior Associates Program (ages 12 and up), some ballet experience is expected. The assessment process will examine many of the same criteria as the Junior program, ability to listen to instructions and take direction, as well as the ability to focus and a sense of musicality. The Senior Associates is a 5-level certificate program.

Girls auditioning for the Junior Associates Program should wear a bodysuit, (alternately athletic shorts or leggings and a T-shirt), and tights or socks. Girls auditioning for the Senior Associates Program should wear a leotard, tights and ballet slippers or socks.

Boys auditioning for the Junior or Senior Associates Program should wear ballet wear if they have it (tights and a shirt), otherwise athletic shorts and a T-shirt, and socks.

The audition process takes place in one of the ballet studios in Canada's National Ballet School, and is accompanied by a live pianist. Parents are welcome to watch the audition class. Results are sent by mail following the assessment.

Auditioning for the Professional Ballet Program

Associates Program students entering academic Grade 5 in September 2011 are eligible to audition for our introductory Grade 5 Summer School, while those entering Grade 6 and higher are eligible to audition for our full-time Professional Ballet Program. Participation in the Associates Program does not guarantee a place in our Full-Time Program.