Director, Alberta Ballet School

Ashley McNeil Fellow + Examiner, CI-CIBC, Enrico Cecchetti Diploma

Ashley McNeil’s early ballet training began in Owen Sound, Ontario under the tutelage of Eleanor Brennan, followed by attending National Ballet School. Ashley furthered her training at The School of Dance, Ottawa and Quinte Ballet School where she later graduated under the direction of Brian Scott and Joyce Shietze.

In 2004, Ms. McNeil joined the faculty of Alberta Ballet School to teach Professional Division. During this time, she contributed to the University of Calgary’s Bachelor of Arts; Dance undergraduate degree. By 2011, Ms. McNeil was Head of the Junior School for the Professional Division, and in 2013, she became the School’s Artistic Principal.

Ms. McNeil has achieved her Fellowship designations from Cecchetti Canada. In 2011, Ms. McNeil was awarded The Margaret Saul Scholarship Award, and the Enrico Cecchetti Final Diploma under the tutelage of Ms. Nancy Kilgour.

In 2017, Ms. McNeil joined the board of examiners for Cecchetti Canada. She is also a jury member for World Ballet Arts Grand Prix and Youth America Grand Prix.

Academic Principal

Candice Beermann B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Ed.

Ms. Beermann has diverse experiences in the field of education both locally and abroad, and she is eager to bring her knowledge and skills to the School Her educational philosophy is based on the belief that given the right opportunities, all students can learn. She believes that students should develop the skills needed to be life-long learners while endeavouring to be positive global citizens.

Ms. Beermann earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Calgary in 2000 and her Bachelor of Education specializing in Secondary Science in 2002. In 2012, Ms. Beermann was accepted to Boston College’s Lynch School of Education where she completed her Master of Education in School Leadership and Administration.

Ms. Beermann began her educational career in the Calgary Catholic School District first as a grade 7-9 science and humanities teacher and then as a grade 10-12 chemistry teacher. Ms. Beermann spent seven years with the district as teacher, department head, and coordinator for the International Baccalaureate program before accepting a position in New York as a founding member of the EF International Academy boarding school staff in 2009.

In 2014, Ms. Beermann accepted a Vice Principal position at Newton South High School just outside of Boston. She spent five years there working alongside the Principal before deciding to return to Calgary. Ms. Beermann joined the Calgary Board of Education as a high school Assistant Principal in 2019.

Ms. Beermann has studied ballet all of her life and has a deep appreciation for the artistic spirit and the hard work needed to pursue a career in dance. She is eager to help students experience excellence in their academics as they follow their passion as dancers.

Head of Residence

Kalpana Gurung BA, MA

Kalpana joined the Alberta Ballet School family in 2013 upon moving to Calgary from Pokhara, Nepal where she was an educator in both elementary and junior schools. Kalpana’s experience educating young students led to her development as a youth program coordinator in the non-profit sector where she planned and managed the administration of vocational programs for socially underprivileged youth. Becoming Head of Residence in 2017, Kalpana is passionate about making our students feel at home while in residence in every possible way.

Ms. Gurung holds a BA in Sociology and a MA in English Literature from Tribhuvan University and was a radio presenter in Pokhara, where she focused her program content on the empowerment of women and ethic minorities.

Head of Open Division - Calgary

Julie Coleman ADCC-CICB, RAD RTS

Julie Coleman is a native Calgarian who has been teaching ballet for over 20 years. She holds a BA in Modern Dance with Distinction from the University of Calgary, is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and Cecchetti Canada, and is certified in the Progressing Ballet Technique method.

Ms. Coleman trained at Alberta Ballet School under the direction of Alain Pauzé as well as attending summer intensives at Canada's National Ballet School, Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, Quinte Ballet School, the Banff Centre for the Arts and the Royal Academy of Dance in London. She has achieved the Cecchetti Advanced 1 and RAD Advanced (Advanced 2) examination certificates. Upon graduation from university, Ms. Coleman was fortunate to spend time training at the Bruckner Conservatory in Linz, Austria, the Theatre Academy Helsinki and in Poland with Gdanski Teatre Tanca.

Ms. Coleman has performed professionally in Canada, the U.S.A. and Poland, including touring with Alberta Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. She was Co-Founder, choreographer and dancer with Groundworks Integrated Arts Collective from 2003 to 2007, a professional company that created works collaboratively with choreographers, visual artist and musicians. Her choreography has also been performed in Dance Montage and Alberta Dance Explosions, and was chosen to represent the University of Calgary's Department of Dance at the 2000 Fine Arts Association Annual Dinner.

Ms. Coleman has taught at the Alberta Ballet School since 2006 and was appointed the Head of Open Division in 2013.

Head of Open Division - Edmonton

Margaret Dalwood Fellow and Examiner CC-CICB, FISTD

Originally from Alberta, Margaret Dalwood began her ballet training at the Alberta Ballet School under the tutelage of Ruth Carse. She continued her professional studies in England and graduated from the Arts Educational School, Tring Park. After returning to Canada, Ms. Dalwood taught in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Professional Teacher Training Program, as well as the Senior Ballet Levels for their Intensive Program from 1998 – 2004.

In 2004, Ms. Dalwood founded Cecchetti Dance Theatre in Edmonton, and directed the school until 2014, before joining Alberta Ballet. The newly formed partnership saw the return of Alberta Ballet School to Edmonton with Ms. Dalwood as the Head of Open Division, as well as the Rehearsal Director for the Nutcracker Children cast and the rehearsal assistant (children cast) for Alberta Ballet’s Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Alice in Wonderland and Our Canada.

Margaret Dalwood is a Fellow and Examiner for Cecchetti Canada, who continues to freelance and has been a guest teacher for the Alberta Ballet School (PD) in Calgary and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and continues to travel across the country guest teaching summer intensive programs and workshops.

Director, Open + Provincial Programs, Head of Junior School

Taryn Klassen LCC-CIBC, Enrico Cecchetti Diploma

Taryn Klassen, a native Calgarian, received her early training under Gillian Howatt. She began her professional training at Canada's National Ballet School and then at the Alberta Ballet School under the direction of Murray and Nancy Kilgour. Ms. Klassen performed with Alberta Ballet in performances including Mikko Nissinen’s “The Nutcracker” and Christopher Wheeldon’s “A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream”.

Ms. Klassen joined the Alberta Ballet School’s Professional Division as a full-time faculty member in 2011 and has worked to refine her skills under the mentorship of esteemed teachers such as Murray and Nancy Kilgour, Joyce Shietze, Ashley McNeil and Diane van Schoor. Ms. Klassen was promoted to Head of Junior School in 2013.

Ms. Klassen holds her Licentiate with Cecchetti Canada and was the 2013 recipient of the Margaret Saul Scholarship Award for Professional Development. She is also one of few that holds the prestigious Enrico Cecchetti Final Diploma, the highest qualification in the method, and achieved this honor through the mentorship of Nancy Kilgour. She currently sits on the Administrative Council and Alberta Provincial Committee of Cecchetti Canada.

Director of Alberta Ballet Trainee Program

Aram Manukyan

Aram Manukyan began his ballet training at Armenian Choreography Academy where he studied the Vaganova method under Rafael Avnikian and Maxim Martirosian. He finished his training with a full scholarship at the Russian University of Theatre Arts.

Mr. Manukyan returned to Armenia and danced with Armenian National Ballet before taking a soloist position with Ukrainian State Opera Ballet Theatre. Mr. Manukyan would later dance principal and soloist roles with companies in Annapolis, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Sarasota.

Mr. Manukyan then became Artistic Director of the BGLV/Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. From there, Murray Kilgour invited him to Alberta as a ballet and character dance teacher. It was at Alberta Ballet School where he took up the Cecchetti method under Nancy Kilgour and pas de deux with Murray Kilgour.

With the launch of the Alberta Ballet II, a pre-professional program for youth dancers, in July 2014, Mr. Manukyan was appointed the program's Director. A jury member for many International Ballet Competitions, Mr. Manukyan is now Artistic Coordinator and Director of the Alberta Ballet Trainee Program at Alberta Ballet School.

Head of Contemporary Dance

Graham McKelvie

Graham McKelvie was born and raised in Saskatoon where he began his training with Hazel Ann Olson at Saskatoon School of Ballet. He continued his training as a scholarship student at Canada's National Ballet School and then in the professional training program at the School of the Toronto Dance Theatre.

In 1988 he joined the Toronto Dance Theatre, and was until 2011, a principal dancer with Coleman et Lemieux et Compagnie. His award-winning choreographic work have been presented internationally, most notably in various cities across Canada and Japan. Mr. McKelvie has taught at the School of the Toronto Dance Theatre, National Ballet School, and York University. Mr. McKelvie was first a guest teacher at Kobe Jogakuin University in Japan before becoming a full-time staff member from 2011 to 2014.

Since 2015, Mr. McKelvie has been the Head of Contemporary Dance Training at Alberta Ballet School. He continues to teach master classes across Canada.

Head of Senior School

Janet Tait

Born in Melbourne, Australia, Ms. Tait trained at the Sculy/Borovansky School of Ballet, Sydney and The Victorian College of the Arts under the tutelage of Vaganova method teacher, Janina Cunovas.

Ms. Tait began her professional dance career with Victoria Ballet. In 1983 she joined London City Ballet, and then West Australian Ballet in 1987 as a principal dancer. It was at this time that she began teaching for various ballet companies including The West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, and Graduate College of Dance.

In 2000, Ms. Tait was appointed Resident Guest Teacher with the Singapore Dance Theatre and also taught at LaSalle University SIA as teacher and assessor. She moved to Canada in 2002 to teach and coach at Alberta Ballet School, and served as Ballet Mistress for Alberta Ballet in 2005.

In 2011, she was appointed as Classical Tutor at The New Zealand School of Dance, returning once again to Calgary in 2013 to take up the duties of Head of Senior School at Alberta Ballet School.