Professional Division Auditions
The RWB School is renowned for its exceptional training, providing dancers with the opportunity to grow and excel under the guidance of world-class instructors in a supportive and nurturing environment.
We invite students to audition for our prestigious Ballet Academic, Anna McCowan-Johnson Aspirant, or Teacher Training programs and unlock their potential. We encourage students to pre-register for in-person auditions, but we welcome walk-ups at all locations on the day of the audition.
How to Audition
- In-Person Auditions: Join us this fall in select cities across Canada and the United States for in-person auditions to demonstrate your potential and work with our artistic faculty.
- Virtual Auditions: Can’t attend in person? Virtual auditions will be available for a limited number of students. Reserve your spot and audition from anywhere.
- Video Submissions: Submit your video audition at any time before June 1, 2026. This flexible option ensures you can audition on your own schedule. Check out our tutorial video with tips on successful video auditions.
Meet the Artistic Director
The RWB’s new Artistic Director Christopher Stowell will be attending auditions in Toronto (November 7) and Chicago (February 22). Join us on these dates to meet our visionary leader before training under his guidance here in Winnipeg.
Find a LOCATION
Register to Audition
Oct 23, 2025
Edmonton, AB
SGSDance, 4638-99 Street, Deadline to Pre-Register: October 21 @ 9AM CST
Oct 24, 2025
Calgary, AB
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, 111 12 Ave SE, Deadline to Pre-Register: October 21 @ 9AM CST
Oct 26, 2025
Vancouver, BC
Arts Umbrella, 1400 Johnson St, Granville Island, Deadline to Pre-Register: October 23 @ 9AM CST
Oct 27, 2025
Nanaimo, BC
Harbour Dance Studios, 139 Bastion Street, Deadline to Pre-Register: October 23 @ 9AM CST
Nov 5, 2025
Halifax, NS
Halifax Dance, 1505 Barrington Street, Deadline to Pre-Register: October 31 @ 9AM CST
Nov 6, 2025
Ottawa, ON
The School of Dance, 200 Crichton Street, Deadline to Pre-Register: October 31 @ 9AM CST
Nov 7, 2025
Toronto, ON
Canada's National Ballet School, 400 Jarvis Street, Deadline to Pre-Register: November 5 @ 9AM CST
Nov 28, 2025
Virtual #1
Deadline to Pre-Register: November 26 @ 9AM CST
Jan 18, 2026
Montréal, QC
Studio Bizz, 551 Mont-Royal E, Deadline to Pre-Register: January 15 @ 9AM CST
Jan 25, 2026
Saskatoon, SK
Brenda’s School of Baton & Dance, 610 Clarence Ave S, Deadline to Pre-Register: January 21 @ 9AM CST
Jan 26, 2026
Regina, SK
Dance City Inc, 3889 Arcola Ave E, Deadline to Pre-Register: January 21 @ 9AM CST
Jan 30, 2026
Winnipeg, MB
Royal Winnipeg Ballet, 380 Graham Ave, Deadline to Pre-Register: January 28 @ 9AM CST
Jan 30, 2026
Virtual #2
Deadline to Pre-Register: January 28 @ 9AM CST
Feb 22, 2026
Chicago, IL
The Joffrey Ballet, 10 East Randolph St, Deadline to Pre-Register: February 18 @ 9AM CST
Feb 27, 2026
Virtual #3
Deadline to Pre-Register: February 24 @ 9AM CST
Why Choose the RWB School?
- Comprehensive training: Our students receive a well-rounded education that balances world-class dance training with academic excellence.
- Supportive and safe community: We provide a nurturing, inclusive, and safe environment where every dance can grow and achieve their goals. Our state-of-the-art Student Living Centre, complete with dedicated student care counselors, ensures that students are supported both personally and professionally.
- We focus on potential: At the RWB School, we look for dancers with the dedication, drive, and passion to succeed, not just technical precision.
- Train alongside the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company: The RWB School and Company share a campus, offering students a unique opportunity to train alongside professional ballet dancers. This immersive experience offers a rare opportunity to witness and participate in Company-level productions, giving you a glimpse into the world of professional ballet as part of your education.
Summer Training
Our three-week Summer Session is a pivotal step in the audition process. It offers dancers the opportunity to experience our exceptional training firsthand and assess whether the RWB School is the right fit for them. At the same time, it allows our team to evaluate each dancer for acceptance into the full-time programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students are asked to arrive one hour before their audition start time. This gives enough time to register or check in and warm up. It can be stressful for students if they are late and feel rushed.
All students are asked to bring a photograph of themselves facing front, showing a tendu in second position, with arms in second position. A photo can be taken at the audition for an extra $10 CAD, to be paid at that time. Please do NOT send photos and/or payment for photos in the mail or by email.
Audition classes generally run for one hour and are conducted by members of the RWB School artistic faculty. Applicants audition as a group and will be assessed on talent, aptitude for classical dance, flexibility, coordination, musicality and artistry of motion, and a demonstrated passion for dance.
Students are encouraged to make some time before their audition class to warm up and stretch; we suggest at least 30 minutes! When it’s time to join the virtual audition class, students may click on the Zoom link that was forwarded to them at the time of registration.
Virtual audition classes will run for one hour and will be conducted by a member of the RWB School artistic faculty. Please note that a second member of the artistic faculty will be observing. Students audition as a group and will be assessed on talent, aptitude for classical dance, flexibility, coordination, musicality and artistry of motion, and a demonstrated passion for dance.
Students are asked to wear a leotard (bodysuit), tights and soft shoes for their audition class. Pointe shoes are not required.
Students who do not have soft ballet slippers and/or leotard and/or tights are still encouraged to attend the auditions and wear socks and tight-fitting clothes that will allow them to move. Please wear long hair in a tight bun if possible, or off the face.
Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle.
In-person and virtual auditions have a fee of $55 per student. Video audition submissions have a $65 fee. Master classes cost $50.
Call to Action
Additional Information
To learn more about the RWB Professional Division programs, we invite you to browse through the “related topics” below. For more information, please contact Head of School Admissions, Lindsay McKnight at lmcknight@rwb.org.
Related Topics
A full-time, seven-level program for young artists pursuing their dreams of dancing professionally, with intensive dance training as well as academics.
Anna McCowan-Johnson Aspirant Program
A full-time, two-year, post-secondary training program for advanced-level classical ballet dancers making the transition from student to professional.
A full-time, three-year, post-secondary program that provides aspiring dance teachers with the skills and knowledge required for a career in dance education in recreational or professional settings.