Dance studies

Admission

Admission is by audition. The audition sessions are not open to the public.

No diplomas are required to apply. Studies at the Lyon CNSMD are full time. Attendance at all classes is mandatory. Candidates must be aged between 15 and 18 for the classical dance and between 16 and 20 for contemporary dance.

There are no previous learning requirements to apply for undergraduate auditions.

ORGANISATION

Chorégraphic studies are divided into four semester-long teaching units (‘UE’: ‘unités d’enseignement’) which allow the student to obtain credit points. The number and conditions for obtaining the points vary from one subject to another.

UE 1. Main subjects
- classical dance: daily classes in groups, work on specific techniques and styles, study of repertoire, pas de deux work, composition workshop.
- contemporary dance: daily classes in groups, work on specific techniques and styles, pas de deux work, composition and improvisation workshops.

UE 2. Subsidiary subjects
- contemporary dance for classical dancers.
- classical dance for contemporary dancers in the form of group lessons.

UE 3. Non-specialised subjects:
music foundation course, anatomy/physiology, functional analysis of bodily movement for dance, history of dance, research methodology, legal and practical aspects of the profession, stage techniques.

UE 4. Other skills:
languages, somatic techniques, vocal technique, drama techniques (taught in seminars). Students are taught in groups.

DURATION

The course takes four years to complete.
The first year is a preparatory year at the end of which students who have fulfilled the course requirements are allowed to pursue the studies with the aim of obtaining the Diplôme National Supérieur Professionnel (DNSP) for dancers.

The final year (DNSP 3) takes place in within the framework of the Youth Ballet, which is designed to place students in a professional situation, with work on repertoire and creation with choreographers, tours and performances, personal projects , etc.

Throughout the three years of the DNSP, students are required to do training courses in professional organisations.

The fourth year of dance studies: the Youth Ballet

In the last year of the dance courses at the Lyon CNSMD (DNSP 3), students belong to the Youth Ballet, which gives them their first experience of professional work.
The Youth Ballet allows students to develop their knowledge of repertoire and to bring together everything they have learnt, both in choreography and in music, by producing and performing dance creations.

DIPLOMAS

Diplôme National Supérieur Professionnel de Danseur (DNSPD)

The Diplôme National Supérieur Professionnel de Danseur (DNSPD) is awarded by the Director of the Conservatory to students who have obtained 180 credit points over the three years of the course (DNSPD 1, 2 and 3).

« Performing Arts » Bachelor’s degree

A « Performing Arts » bachelor’s degree is awarded in partnership with the Université Lumière Lyon 2 to students who hold a baccalauréat (or equivalent), who have obtained their DNSPD and have validated the necessary teaching units at the university, as specified in the partnership agreement.