What sets Compagnie de danse contemporaine du Québec apart as a unique opportunity for dancers on Montreal’s South Shore?
Compagnie de danse contemporaine du Québec (CDCQ) is a contemporary youth dance company that is a division of The Préville Fine Arts Centre. It is the only pre-professional youth company on the South Shore!
A Unique Vision
CDCQ operates as a cohesive company, immersing its members in a season filled with performances, masterclasses, enrichment activities and invaluable networking opportunities. This holistic approach ensures that dancers not only refine their technical skills but also cultivate the versatility and confidence required to develop as interesting artists and people.
CDCQ is not a competition team; this programme offers young dancers the opportunity to bridge the gap between training and the professional dance world.
Artistic Director Jeremy Raia
At the helm of CDCQ is Artistic Director Jeremy Raia. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Raia’s professional journey includes a distinguished tenure as a Premier Dancer with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. His extensive experience includes dancing choreography by renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine, Jiří Kylián, and Ohad Naharin. Under his guidance, CDCQ dancers benefit from unparalleled mentorship and also from Jeremy’s ties to an impressive network of professional dancers and teaching artists.
Comprehensive Training in an Accessible Model
Members of CDCQ train upwards of 10 hours weekly, scheduled during evenings and occasionally on Saturdays. This schedule allows for dancers to remain at their regular academic schools during the day. The curriculum encompasses contemporary styles, ballet, improvisation techniques and partner work. Dancers also participate in weekly masterclasses covering styles from essentrics to voguing, improvisation and Broadway jazz, to name just a few!
The company is committed to accessibility, ensuring that financial limitations never prevent talented dancers from joining. Partially subsidized by The Préville Fine Arts Centre, and also supported by donations, sponsorships and public funding, CDCQ makes high-level training affordable to all.
CDCQ Success Stories
Although the company is still only in its second season, past company members have already been accepted to professional training programmes at ESBQ and EDCM, as well as summer intensives such as BJM_360. Exposure to a variety of choreographic styles and processes, and professional-level creation, while with CDCQ, is a contributing factor to what sets these dancers apart.
Upcoming! The World Premiere of Juvenisoma
See CDCQ in action and attend Juvenisoma, set for May 3 and 4, 2025. This event is for all lovers of contemporary dance and is a wonderful opportunity for young dancers interested in joining CDCQ to see how unique it is!
“Juvenisoma” embodies the idea of carrying the weight of youth—not as a burden, but as an accumulation of experiences, challenges, and moments of growth.
This evening (and afternoon) of contemporary dance is inspired by the multifaceted period of adolescence—a time filled with emotional highs, sudden shifts and a constant sense of transformation. The company will unveil two new works: “everything is pink to me” by acclaimed choreographer Jérémy Galdeano, and Next in Line, by multidisciplinary artist and choreographer, Amara Barner. Not to be missed!
Training Opportunities and Auditions for CDCQ!
CDCQ is for dancers aged 13-20 with at least three years of training, and membership is by audition. The company offers a short Spring session of classes, as well as a two-week intensive in the Summer, both open to non-CDCQ members. The Spring class and the summer intensive provide a chance to train with CDCQ as well as audition opportunities for those who wish. Audition video submissions are also welcomed throughout the year. Learn more about auditioning on the CDCQ website.
In short, CDCQ is a place where young dancers develop into authentic and versatile young artists who are mentored and taught by the most esteemed and sought-after professionals in the industry.
The CDCQ Dance Studio is located at 415 Mercille, in Saint-Lambert.
