RBC Apprentice Programme

The 2023/24 RBC Apprentice Programme audition will take place on Sunday, January 21st, 2024.

The RBC Apprentice Programme is for recent graduates of professional ballet conservatories who are interested in dancing with The National Ballet of Canada; generally, apprentices are between the ages of 17 – 21 years old.

Applications to audition for the 2023/24 RBC Apprentice Programme will be accepted between September 1 – December 1, 2023.

Only 25-30 candidates will be invited to audition in person for the Apprentice Programme in Toronto on Sunday, January 21st, 2024.

Upon receipt, complete applications will be reviewed, and you will be informed as to whether you have been shortlisted for consideration within approximately 7 – 10 business days.

All formal invitations to attend the audition will be sent by email between December 18th – 20th 2023.

Please do not make travel arrangements until you receive an invitation to attend the audition.

All applicants MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL BY EMAIL to auditions@national.ballet.ca to be considered. Your application will not be processed unless all the required documents, photos and video links are submitted.

International Audition Pre-Selection Guidelines

An applicant would be required to submit the following material only:

• A video link (You Tube or Vimeo) with no introduction or fancy editing, consisting of the following performed in leotard and tights for women and tight-fitting dance attire for men.
  • A short classical variation drawn from the standard repertoire, danced in pointe shoes by female applicants
  • A short contemporary variation (that could consist of something drawn from repertoire, phrases from classwork or and applicant-created work) that illustrates the applicant’s command of a range of movement different from that demonstrated in the classical variation.
  • 3-5 minutes of barre work, incorporating both sides, danced in soft shoes by male applicants and pointe shoes by female applicants.
  • 3-5 minutes of center work that includes adagio, pirouettes, petit and grand allegro, danced in pointe shoes by female participants.
• A CV (pdf / .doc / .docx) that includes your email address, postal address, height, date of birth, citizenship, training and performance experience.
• A head shot.
• 2-3 dance photos (.pdf) that reveal the dancer’s body proportions and line.
• Video work should ideally not be filmed too far away. Performance video is acceptable if of good quality and filmed close up.

What is the RBC Apprentice Programme?

The National Ballet of Canada offers an Apprentice Programme under the sponsorship of The RBC Foundation. This programme is intended for graduates of professional conservatories who are interested in dancing with the National Ballet. The apprenticeship consists of 12 contracts and takes place over approximately 10 months and allows dancers to continue building their technical skills while adapting to a professional schedule.

All Apprentices take part in YOU dance, an outreach programme offered by the National Ballet. This programme involves the preparation and presentation of selected repertory at performances or digitally to introduce young people to ballet.

As members of YOU dance, Apprentices also benefit from classes and rehearsals that focus on the development of the skills appropriate to their position as entry-level professionals. As well, they are welcome to approach the members of the artistic staff for career advice and coaching. Apprentices receive 50% of a first-year National Ballet Corps de Ballet member salary. The National Ballet’s Artistic Director Hope Muir and the Artistic Staff evaluate the Apprentices throughout the year and may invite them to join the National Ballet as a company member at any point within the period of the apprenticeship.

In the event an Apprentice is not to be offered further work with the National Ballet every effort is made to convey this information in a timely fashion.

Eligibility

If you have not graduated from a secondary school program by the start of the contract date, you are NOT eligible for the Apprentice auditions. However, you may contact Canada’s National Ballet School for more information regarding classes, summer school and other training programmes while a secondary school student.

If you are an established dancer who has strong classical ballet technique and performing experience with a professional company, you may audition for a company contract. Read more.

The RBC Apprenticeship Programme is generously supported by the RBC Foundation.

For more information regarding the RBC Apprentice Programme and auditions, please email auditions@national.ballet.ca.