On May 4, Concordia officially launched its new School of Performance at Salon Urbain, Place des Arts. From dance and jazz to theatre, the evening's events offered a glimpse into how emerging artists are working across artistic forms and disciplinary fields at the university to develop new creative languages.
Concordia's School of Performance, the first interdisciplinary hub of its kind in Quebec, integrates the departments of Contemporary Dance, Music and Theatre under a single structure within the Faculty of Fine Arts. It marks a new chapter for the faculty, strengthening performance training and research-creation while deepening ties with Montreal's artistic community.
The School also reinforces the university's leading role interdisciplinary approaches to performing arts education and innovation.
A new model for performance training
Rooted in Montreal's vibrant cultural ecosystem, the School positions performance as a space of experimentation, exchange and research-creation. Students will be encouraged to develop original works, refine their artistic voices to engage with performing arts practice in a rapidly evolving cultural landscape.
The launch event reflected this ethos through performances by students across dance, music and theatre. Students, faculty, alumni and partners from Montreal's cultural community gathered for a series of short works that reflected the School's cross-disciplinary vision.
Contemporary Dance students Mia Pereira and Yanik Savoie presented Rouelibre, a duet work developed through physical exploration and choreographic research. Music students Charlotte Van Dyke (vocals), Callum MacDonald (guitar), and Juan Quintero (bass) performed a jazz trio set, while acting students Sophie Grenier, Iris Guillemin, Juliana Theodoropoulos, and Alexia Maldonado-Juárez interpreted an excerpt from theatre student Eve-Line Beaudry's script Coven: Feminine Empowerment.
The evening also featured Concordia alumna Dawn Tyler Watson, BFA 94, a JUNO Award-winning singer-songwriter. Known for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence, she has performed across five continents, blending blues, jazz, soul and gospel influences.
Watson's performance underscored the School's emphasis on connecting student training with professional artistic practice and Montreal's broader music and performance scene.
A hub for experimentation and exchange
The School of Performance reflects a broader shift toward interdisciplinary arts education, where collaboration is central to creative development. Students are supported in both individual practice and collective creation, with opportunities to engage in performance, research-creation and experimentation across disciplines.
While encouraging collaboration, the school also maintains strong disciplinary training, offering students both depth and flexibility in their artistic development.
"This initiative resonates far beyond the walls of the university," says Annie Gérin, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts. "It strengthens Montreal's cultural ecosystem by bringing together artists, students, and many key partners who helped make it possible. It is through this collective audacity that we continue to build a thriving and forward-looking artistic landscape."
