The Young Canadians

Audition Process

First and foremost - Relax and enjoy! “At an audition?”, you say! YES! The staff and volunteers are rooting for you and although we can’t take everyone who auditions, we hope you have a great experience here today.

Dancers Audition Process:

Dancers will be asked to check in at the Registration Desk to confirm the information on their on-line Pre-Registration Form (available 6 weeks prior to audition dates), or to complete a Registration Form when they arrive for the auditions. This form is then handed in to our staff to group all dance candidates into classes for their auditions.

The first step will be a Master Class for all the dancers that are auditioning. This will consist of general warm-up to show placement, alignment and flexibility along with components to show coordination, rhythm and musicality. At the end of this class there will be a cut of dancers who will be dismissed and are able to leave.

The remaining dancers will then be grouped into classes of approximately 20 dancers at a time. The subsequent audition class will begin with a ballet barre, a short centre floor enchainment, incorporating steps designed to allow the dancer the opportunity to demonstrate higher technical skills, a short stretch in the centre, a show of flexibility and any gymnastic skills, such as splits, etc. The audition class then continues with corner work starting with simple steps designed to allow the dancer to show performance quality, moving to harder technical skills as the class progresses. The audition finishes with a jazz combination where the dancer has the chance to show both technique and performance quality.

At the end of each audition class, a cut of dancers will again be dismissed and able to leave.

Selected dancers from each audition class will be asked to attend a final call-back for selection of dancers to attend a 4 day workshop in the evenings, August 24-27, 2010. It is mandatory that those selected attend this workshop to be considered for the program. On August 27 candidates will be advised if they have been accepted into the Young Canadians program. Classes will begin with an orientation meeting on Friday, September 10, 2010 with classes beginning on Sunday, September 12, 2010. Details of the schedule will be provided to selected students.

Previous dance training is necessary for dancers and Ballet training is mandatory.

Please dress in dancewear, with appropriate footwear. Ballet slippers and jazz shoes should be brought with the dancer to the audition.

Singers Audition Process:

Singers will be asked to check in at the Registration Desk to confirm the information on their on-line Pre-Registration Form, (available 6 weeks prior to audition dates), or to complete a Registration Form when they arrive for the auditions. This form is then handed in to our staff to schedule audition times.

The vocal portion of the audition is done individually. Each singer is asked to prepare a song for their audition and should come with sheet music, [we provide an accompanist], a tape or CD with the musical bed only [no lead vocals]. We are looking for strong, capable voices with good potential for development.

Following each applicant’s individual vocal audition, they then join other applicants in a dance audition in a class format. The dance portion of the singers audition is an important part of their being accepted into the Young Canadians program as a performer. Although previous dance training is not mandatory, the individual must have good rythmic movement, coordination, musicality and be able to pick up dance instruction quickly.

If you are selected to continue to the second part of the auditions, it will be mandatory for you to attend a 4 day workshop in the evenings, August 24-27, 2010. It is mandatory that those selected attend this workshop to be considered for the program. On August 27 candidates will be advised if they have been accepted into the Young Canadians program. Classes will begin with an orientation meeting on Friday, September 10, 2010 with classes beginning on Sunday, September 12, 2010. Details of the schedule will be provided to selected students.

Please dress in loose fitting clothing which you can dance in, with appropriate footwear. Jazz shoes or a soft athletic runner should be brought with the singer to the audition.

To receive more information about the auditions, please click here to provide us with your name, contact information and any questions you may have or information you would like to receive, or call Patricia Metz at the Young Canadian office at 403.261.0129