Lamondance’s 2026/2027 season! Post-Secondary Dance Education | Graduate Career Transition Program “Bridge”
The Bridge Program: A Nine-Month Intensive for Accomplished Dancers
Designed for accomplished dancers with a minimum age of 20, the Bridge Program is a fast-paced, nine-month training intensive. This program is for dancers who have already completed at least two years of post-secondary dance training or hold a dance university degree. It's dedicated to elevating and validating your prior studies by pushing you to your limits and providing direct, professional-level experience.
For the past three years, we successfully tested this program by hosting dance graduates from institutions such as Simon Fraser University (Vancouver), Ballet Divertimento (Montreal), Toronto Metropolitan University (Toronto), Circus Lab (Langley), Arts Umbrella (Vancouver), Raça Cia de Dança (Brazil) and Peridance (New York) based on its proven success, the Bridge Program is now an official part of our training offerings.
For the past three years, we've successfully tested this program as a special exception for auditioning dancers. Based on its proven success, we've now made the Bridge Program an official part of our training offerings.
An important note: To be accepted into the program, you will be required to provide proof of completion of a minimum of two years of post-secondary dance training or a dance university degree. The program is open to dancers up to age 29.
What to Expect
The program runs from September to June, Monday through Friday, for 6.5 hours each day. You'll engage in a focused curriculum that includes:
Repertoire and Creation: A heavy dedication to learning existing repertoire and creating new works, along with opportunities to delve into self-exploration in creative processes with mentorship and available residencies.
Technique Classes: Two hours of daily technique training, including classical ballet, contemporary, and improvisation.
Specialized Training: Classes devoted to injury prevention, yoga, and conditioning to support your physical well-being.
Professional Exposure: Throughout the nine months of training, you will get exposed to a rich vocabulary from dance professionals from Vancouver and abroad. When available, you'll also have the unique opportunity to work directly with our professional dance company.The Bridge Program is a nine-month trajectory, and dancers who complete the training will receive a certificate of completion. Many dancers choose to return for a second year or more to further their experience in repertoire, technique, and production.
How to Apply
To be considered for the Bridge Program, you must audition for a position. Please check our website for all available audition dates.
Tuition and Fees
The payment policies follow the same rules as our Post-Secondary Training Program. Learn more here.
Bridge Program: Frequently Asked Questions
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The key difference is who the program is for and its duration. The three-year Post-Secondary Training Program is a comprehensive program for a wide range of post-secondary students. The Bridge Program is a one-year, fast-paced intensive designed for dancers who have already completed a minimum of two years of post-secondary dance training or have a university degree in dance.
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The Bridge Program is a one-year intensive focused on elevating a dancer's prior training. It's heavily dedicated to learning repertoire, creating new works, and includes a rigorous schedule of daily technique classes. You'll be pushed to your limits and may have the opportunity to work directly with our professional dance company.
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The Bridge Program is a focused, one-year trajectory. The three-year program is a longer, more foundational program that allows for a progressive, in-depth experience over three years. While both programs cover similar activities like classical ballet, contemporary dance, improvisation, injury prevention, yoga, and conditioning, the Bridge Program is designed for dancers ready for an advanced, concentrated experience.
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Both the Bridge Program and the three-year program run from September to June, Monday through Friday, for 6.5 hours a day.
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The tuition for both programs is $7,000, with a $250 administration fee. The payment policies are the same for both.
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Yes, upon completing the one-year Bridge Program, you will receive a certificate of completion. You are also welcome to return for more than one year to gain further experience in repertoire, technique, and production.
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Yes. Given the program's prerequisite of completing two years of post-secondary dance training or a university degree, we accept dancers from age 20 up to the age of 29, which aligns with the age range of our Post-Secondary Training Program.
Participants reflections (Current and Alumni).
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Ursula Blanchard
What sets the Bridge program apart from the other programs is the time commitment, the care for us as individuals and the instruction on how to share/communicate with the audience and our peers. At the same time that we are asked what we can give to the program to elevate it, this program asks us what we need from it. We aren’t here to just follow instructions and crank out dances. We are required to bring our most authentic selves to the studio. This way we can offer the most precious thing to watch on stage, vulnerability. It takes practice to share your heart with the audience and there are not a lot of places that take the time to teach you how to do it. While my post secondary degree helped me discover who I am as an artist, Lamondance Bridge program is where I learned how to put that artistry into action.
Graduate from Simon Fraser University (Vancouver)
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Logan Whyte
My university dance program exposed me to the many layers and pathways professional dance can take you. When I graduated, I was craving more in-depth training for the pathway I fell in love with - contemporary dance. Lamondance’s Bridge Program has made my transition from a post-secondary dance graduate to a professional contemporary dancer smooth. This program is tailored for professional development - providing a unique experience that fosters an environment of professional and artistic growth. The program has utilized the academic skills from university and placed them in a real world context. It replicates the life of a professional company dancer, with daily classes and rehearsals for our many performance opportunities. I got to work in creation processes with leading industry professionals, allowing me to make connections and kickstart my networking. I got to work directly with Lamondance’s Professional Dance Company on various projects which has built up my professional experience. With the help of the Bridge Program, I have been able to confidently emerge into the professional contemporary dance scene, with the skills and experience to make it an easy transition. I highly recommend this program for graduates who want to specialize in contemporary dance at the professional level and who are ready to take the next step in their professional development.
Graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University (Toronto)
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Jessica Marchand
My name is Jessica Marchand and I am a performing artist for Lamondance professional dance company season 17. This will be my second season with Lamondance after completing their Graduate Career Transition “bridge” program last season. After spending three years in New York City, I made the hard decision to move back to Vancouver. I had graduated from Peridance Centre’s Certificate program in 2023, majoring in Ballet and Contemporary. During my last year living in Nyc I had the opportunity to work with many project based companies such as Project TAG, as well as collaborating with French sculptures Bruno Catalano for his exhibition along Madison Avenue. I have presented my own work in over a dozen festivals across NYC, with my first evening length show, presented by Arts On Site, taking place August 2024. When I decided to move back to my home, Vancouver, I had no plan nor a community to return to. Lamondance welcomed me with open arms, I am very thankful and humbled by the support I have received here. My time in the bridge program allowed me the opportunity to re-strengthen my technique through consistent training, something that is not usually accessible post-graduation. I can attest that every teacher has their best interest in supporting every dancers specific journey. I have met some of my closest friends at Lamondance and am very grateful to have a place to show up everyday that harnesses so much love and care. Graduate from Peridance (New York)