Alyssa joined Alberta Ballet School from Kitchener, Ontario as a Post-Graduate Program student in the 2019-2020 school year.

After completing her training, Alyssa was asked to join Alberta Ballet Company was an apprentice dancer for the 2021-2022 season.

Here is what she has to say about her time at Alberta Ballet School:

How did the school's training help you?

"My training at ABS helped me in developing strong technique as well as both the physical and mental strength required for a career in classical ballet."

Your favourite memory from ABS?

"Solo adjudication performance. It was amazing to see how although we were all doing individual solos our class came together as one to support and energize each other! This led to a wonderful performance that represented the dancers not as individuals but the school and it’s training as a whole in a positive way."

Favourite accomplishment?

"Progressing from Post-Graduate Program in my first year to becoming an Alberta Ballet Trainee in my second year at the school. So exciting to see this quick progression and achievement after a year of hard work!"

Would you recommend Alberta Ballet School to others?

"Yes! Very friendly and positive training atmosphere with supportive teachers. Dancers receive countless corrections and feedback from teachers leading to increased motivation, technique and overall improvement."

What tips do you have for current or future Alberta Ballet School students?

"If something feels challenging or doesn’t go well in class don’t get discouraged, but rather write down what wasn’t great along with any corrections you got. Then, when you have free time refer to these notes and practice what you can. Hopefully over time you will start to see progress as you narrow in on your weakness and work to improve them."

Yaroslav (Yarko) started his dance training at the age of 12 at Alberta Ballet School, graduating from the Professional Division Program, and continued on completing the school's 2-year Post Graduate Diploma Program. In 2021, Yaroslav joined Alberta Ballat Company as an Apprentice Dancer, with fellow alumni Alyssa Churchill and Kale Lazarick.

Yarko credits the strong dance foundation developed through his training for his success in securing a professional role in a dance company.

Word of advice from Yarko? "Try to relax and have fun while doing it, make some friends and stick with them"

You can see Yaroslav on stage with Albeta Ballet in their 2021-2022 season.

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.

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 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 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.

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 Thomson

I trained at Alberta Ballet School from 2012-2015 from grade 10-12. After graduation I continued training with the School in their Post Graduate Professional Training program. Upon completion of the post-grad program I was invited to joined ABII and work alongside Alberta Ballet Company, I spent a year in ABII before I decided I wanted to attend university.

Being a part of Alberta Ballet School taught me how to be disciplined and stay focused on my goals no matter how difficult they may be to achieve. I learned that hard work pays off and you always receive what you put in. This has shaped who I am as a person because although I am no longer dancing I use these skills at university and in many other aspects of my life.

My favourite memory of being with the School was preforming the role of the third shade in La Bayadere. This was while I was in the Post Graduate Program for the year end performance at the Jubilee Auditorium. Preparing for the role was some of the hardest work I had done in all of my training at the School and the feeling of preforming solo on stage and showing what I was capable of was one of the most amazing and rewarding feelings I have ever had.

I am currently a second year student at Dalhousie University working towards a double major in Mathematics and Chemistry.

I think the most important thing about the training I received with Alberta Ballet School was a high level of confidence that I could achieve anything I set my mind to.