Alberta Ballet School Alumni: Inspiring Today, Shaping Tomorrow
Our alumni embody the passion, dedication, and excellence that define Alberta Ballet School. They are a source of inspiration and motivation for our current students, offering a glimpse into the extraordinary paths that begin here. Since our founding in 1991, Alberta Ballet School has proudly nurtured remarkable stories of artistic success and academic achievement—stories that continue to shape the future of dance and beyond.
Rachel Thomsson
Dear Ashley (McNeil) and Aram (Manukyan),
I find myself frequently thinking of the school and I wanted to share that I will be performing in Balanchine’s “Raymonda Variations” this weekend with Nevada Ballet. Although this ballet is completely different than the Petipa version, it reminds me so much of the very first variation I ever performed on stage with the school! And tomorrow I will be performing a variation as well.
I always feel so grateful for such an amazing base I was given because of teachers and mentors like you. There are so many corrections and technical aspects of my dancing I still hold true to my heart. There is never a way for me to express the amount of gratitude I have for the school and how it’s made me the dancer I am.
Please send my best to the Kilgours and the Stripes. I hope to see you soon! Thinking of the school very fondly.
Rachel Thomsson
Dear Ashley (McNeil) and Aram (Manukyan),
I find myself frequently thinking of the school and I wanted to share that I will be performing in Balanchine’s “Raymonda Variations” this weekend with Nevada Ballet. Although this ballet is completely different than the Petipa version, it reminds me so much of the very first variation I ever performed on stage with the school! And tomorrow I will be performing a variation as well.
I always feel so grateful for such an amazing base I was given because of teachers and mentors like you. There are so many corrections and technical aspects of my dancing I still hold true to my heart. There is never a way for me to express the amount of gratitude I have for the school and how it’s made me the dancer I am.
Please send my best to the Kilgours and the Stripes. I hope to see you soon! Thinking of the school very fondly.
Dear Ashley (McNeil) and Aram (Manukyan),
I find myself frequently thinking of the school and I wanted to share that I will be performing in Balanchine’s “Raymonda Variations” this weekend with Nevada Ballet. Although this ballet is completely different than the Petipa version, it reminds me so much of the very first variation I ever performed on stage with the school! And tomorrow I will be performing a variation as well.
I always feel so grateful for such an amazing base I was given because of teachers and mentors like you. There are so many corrections and technical aspects of my dancing I still hold true to my heart. There is never a way for me to express the amount of gratitude I have for the school and how it’s made me the dancer I am.
Please send my best to the Kilgours and the Stripes. I hope to see you soon! Thinking of the school very fondly.
Suyuri Nakanii
I moved to Canada from Japan in 2015 to further my training at the Alberta Ballet School where I graduated from the Professional Division in addition to the Post-Graduate Program. I was invited to join Alberta Ballet II, which then led to dancing with the Alberta Ballet Company.
I truly feel the school’s training helped me refine my skills, and improve the quality of my movement. My favourite memory of my time at the school was in my first year when I performed “Flower Waltz” from The Sleeping Beauty set by Ms. Ashley McNeil.
Upon starting with the Ballet, it was my goal to work towards soloist roles which I have achieved thanks to my training at the school. I am currently in my second season with Alberta Ballet where I have performed in Dracula, The Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, Dangerous Liaisons, Cinderella and All of Us.
Suyuri Nakanii
I moved to Canada from Japan in 2015 to further my training at the Alberta Ballet School where I graduated from the Professional Division in addition to the Post-Graduate Program. I was invited to join Alberta Ballet II, which then led to dancing with the Alberta Ballet Company.
I truly feel the school’s training helped me refine my skills, and improve the quality of my movement. My favourite memory of my time at the school was in my first year when I performed “Flower Waltz” from The Sleeping Beauty set by Ms. Ashley McNeil.
Upon starting with the Ballet, it was my goal to work towards soloist roles which I have achieved thanks to my training at the school. I am currently in my second season with Alberta Ballet where I have performed in Dracula, The Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, Dangerous Liaisons, Cinderella and All of Us.
I moved to Canada from Japan in 2015 to further my training at the Alberta Ballet School where I graduated from the Professional Division in addition to the Post-Graduate Program. I was invited to join Alberta Ballet II, which then led to dancing with the Alberta Ballet Company.
I truly feel the school’s training helped me refine my skills, and improve the quality of my movement. My favourite memory of my time at the school was in my first year when I performed “Flower Waltz” from The Sleeping Beauty set by Ms. Ashley McNeil.
Upon starting with the Ballet, it was my goal to work towards soloist roles which I have achieved thanks to my training at the school. I am currently in my second season with Alberta Ballet where I have performed in Dracula, The Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, Dangerous Liaisons, Cinderella and All of Us.
Shiori Otsu
Shiori Otsu was born and raised in Japan and began dancing at the age of 4. Her love of dance led her to dance with local studios. When she was 19 she began studying with the Alberta Ballet School and completed her training in June 2019. As a student, Shiori performed in the 2018/19 Alberta Ballet productions of The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty. This is Shiori's second season with the Alberta Ballet and she is looking forward to performing in the 2021-2022 productions.
Shiori Otsu
Shiori Otsu was born and raised in Japan and began dancing at the age of 4. Her love of dance led her to dance with local studios. When she was 19 she began studying with the Alberta Ballet School and completed her training in June 2019. As a student, Shiori performed in the 2018/19 Alberta Ballet productions of The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty. This is Shiori's second season with the Alberta Ballet and she is looking forward to performing in the 2021-2022 productions.
Shiori Otsu was born and raised in Japan and began dancing at the age of 4. Her love of dance led her to dance with local studios. When she was 19 she began studying with the Alberta Ballet School and completed her training in June 2019. As a student, Shiori performed in the 2018/19 Alberta Ballet productions of The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty. This is Shiori's second season with the Alberta Ballet and she is looking forward to performing in the 2021-2022 productions.
Kazuyoshi Nishi
I auditioned for Alberta Ballet School in Japan in February 2016 and attended Summer Intensive that July. I started the Post-Graduate Program September 2016 graduating June 2018.
The School’s training helped my strengthen my basic skills and improve my technique. In the 2 short years, I could perform the fundamentals of any kind of dance.
I reflect on the teachings of Mr. Kilgour the most. I found every instruction and suggestion worthwhile so much that I realized I was improving daily, which was visible in class and performances.
Today, I dance with the National Ballet of Japan.
Kazuyoshi Nishi
I auditioned for Alberta Ballet School in Japan in February 2016 and attended Summer Intensive that July. I started the Post-Graduate Program September 2016 graduating June 2018.
The School’s training helped my strengthen my basic skills and improve my technique. In the 2 short years, I could perform the fundamentals of any kind of dance.
I reflect on the teachings of Mr. Kilgour the most. I found every instruction and suggestion worthwhile so much that I realized I was improving daily, which was visible in class and performances.
Today, I dance with the National Ballet of Japan.
I auditioned for Alberta Ballet School in Japan in February 2016 and attended Summer Intensive that July. I started the Post-Graduate Program September 2016 graduating June 2018.
The School’s training helped my strengthen my basic skills and improve my technique. In the 2 short years, I could perform the fundamentals of any kind of dance.
I reflect on the teachings of Mr. Kilgour the most. I found every instruction and suggestion worthwhile so much that I realized I was improving daily, which was visible in class and performances.
Today, I dance with the National Ballet of Japan.
Melissa Eguchi
I trained at the school from 2012-2015. The school helped me become the dancer I am today by providing me with technique that has been a foundation I can rely on as I transitioned into my professional career. My favorite memory of the school is all the lifelong relationships I made with people I met through my years there. I am currently dancing with Alberta Ballet.
Melissa Eguchi
I trained at the school from 2012-2015. The school helped me become the dancer I am today by providing me with technique that has been a foundation I can rely on as I transitioned into my professional career. My favorite memory of the school is all the lifelong relationships I made with people I met through my years there. I am currently dancing with Alberta Ballet.
I trained at the school from 2012-2015. The school helped me become the dancer I am today by providing me with technique that has been a foundation I can rely on as I transitioned into my professional career. My favorite memory of the school is all the lifelong relationships I made with people I met through my years there. I am currently dancing with Alberta Ballet.