Admission - Classical Dance Program
The École supérieure de ballet du Québec's professional dance program is designed for talented young people with a strong potential for success. From the age of 10, our students embark on a human and artistic adventure that prepares them for a career in ballet or contemporary dance.
We also offer a Parcours multidanses for high school students. > Know more
▶ Receive world-class dance training
▶ Learn from renowned teachers and exceptional pianists
▶ Study at one of Quebec’s top 5 high schools
▶ Dance The Nutcracker with Les Grands Ballets (by audition)
▶ Benefit from an innovative health program: nutrition, mental performance coaching, physiotherapy and more
▶ Access excellence scholarships and financial support
▶ Prepare for a career on national and international stages
The École supérieure is proud to be affiliated with Les Grands Ballets.
Our graduates have also joined such prestigious companies as :
* Ballet Biarritz
* Ballet BC
* Ballet de l’Opéra national du Rhin
* Ballet de Lorraine
* Ballet national du Canada
* Ballet of Difference (Cologne)
* Ballets Jazz de Montréal
* Ballett Hagen
* Ballet Zürich
* Béjart Ballet Lausanne
* Bühnen Bern
* Cas Public
* Cirque du Soleil
* Compagnie Marie Chouinard
* Compañia Nacional de Danza
* Gulbenkian Ballet
* Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
* Les Grands Ballets
* Nederlands Dans Theater
* Oper, Graz
* Portland Opera
* Rubberbandance
* Slovak National Ballet
* Staatsballett Berlin
* Virginia National Ballet
The audition is the first essential step in the process of entering this high-level training program and allows each young person to demonstrate his or her aptitudes, skills and motivations. Candidates must meet the artistic, physical and psychological criteria specific to dance. The recruitment jury evaluates ballet technique, in addition to coordination, flexibility, musicality, expressiveness and, most importantly, interest in a career in dance.
Important Information
Young people aged 11 and over (students who will be enrolled in high school or college in 2026-2027 and who want to join the Intermediate, Advanced, or Superior cycles) must send a video presentation to submit their application for the École supérieure auditions.
See the detailed information below on this page to prepare your video.
Fill out the APPLICATION FORM
and attach your video (hyperlink) before January 20, 2026.
Do you have any questions? Write to us
• Ages 11 and up(secondary or college students in 2026-2027):
Registration by FORM + video shortlisting.
• For younger children(grade 5 or grade 6 students in 2026-2027, who want to join the Junior cycle) :
Registration by FORM only.
Location : École supérieure de ballet du Québec
4816 Rivard, Montreal, Quebec, H2J 2N6
Candidates from outside Quebec and abroad can audition by video.
See the detailed information on the audition process below on this page.
Do you have any questions? Write to us
Summer Intensive enables students to experience daily training at the École supérieure. Depending on the cycle, the schedule includes ballet classes, pointe work, classical or neoclassical repertoire, character dance, contemporary dance, other dance genres, and health workshops.
Summer Intensive is mandatory to all students entering the professional program in 2026-2027.
Junior Cycle (elementary)
2 mandatory weeks : June 29 to July 10, 2026
Intermediate, Advanced and Superior Cycles (secondary to college)
5 mandatory weeks: June 29 to July 31, 2026
Only accepted candidates following the auditions are invited to participate in our Summer Intensive.
The 2026 Admission Guide will be posted online in November.
Prerequisites for all auditions
- a portrait
- a full-length photo and, if necessary, a video (details below)
Credit card or electronic check
8 to 11 years old
ARMS TO THE SIDE (facing front)
12 to 14 years old
TENDU À LA SECONDE (facing front)
15 to 19 years old
PREMIÈRE ARABESQUE (profile)
Outfit
- Dance leotard
- Pink tights
- Ballet slippers and/or pointe shoes
- Hair bun
- White T-shirt
- Black shorts or tights
- Demi-pointe shoes
- Tied hair if needed
Auditions for 2026-2027 will take place on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Location
École supérieure de ballet du Québec
4816, rue Rivard, Montréal (QC) H2J 2N6
Registration
Complete the registration FORM before January 20, 2026.
No on-site registration is accepted on the day of the audition.
Places are limited.
The invitation and schedule will be sent one week before the audition.
Audition process
Candidates will take part in a ballet class according to their level and perform the exercises to the best of their ability.
Parents are not allowed to attend this class.
No late arrivals will be accepted on the day of the audition.
Jury
Composed of the artistic director and teachers of the École supérieure, the jury evaluates classical ballet technique, as well as coordination, flexibility, musicality, expressiveness, motivatin, etc.
Results
Results will be communicated at a later date by email.
Do you have any questions? Write to us.
The audition video should last a maximum of 20 minutes. It must be filmed with the camera at body height and must include the following:
Simply stand, facing the camera, arms relaxed along the body.
As previously, but stand sideways to the camera.
Sitting on the ground, sideways to the camera, extend the legs and point both feet.
Sitting on the ground, sideways to the camera, extend the legs in front of the body and flex feet. The heels can lift off the ground.
Lying on the ground, on the back, put the legs in a demi plié position (the frog). Try not to arch the back. Repeat the same position while lying on the stomach.
Lying on the stomach, place both hands underneath the shoulders and push up with the arms only. The hips must touch the ground.
Sitting on the ground, sideways to the camera, with legs extended in front, lean forward and if possible, touch the feet while keeping the legs straight.
On a musical accompaniment:
* Exercices at the barre: pliés, tendus, grands battements, etc.
* Musicality and coordination: frolic in a circle or in diagonal.
* Artistry: perform a short choreography.
Perform a short ballet class including these elements:
On a musical accompaniment :
* Barre (one side only)
* Centre: tendus, adage, pirouettes and jumps (small, medium and big allegro)
*Girls add one pointe centre exercise (preferably a pirouette exercise) and one variation, depending on the level.
The video must be attached to the registration form using a hyperlink (Youtube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, etc.).
Janie Richard's advice for auditions (In French). Graduate Janie Richard, who won the Revolution television competition, talks about the benefits of her training at the École supérieure. She also gives her advice on preparing for an audition.