Alberta Ballet School provides professional dance training to create a versatile dancer, one who is capable of creating every type of movement and style sought by today’s dance companies.

Ballet

Our ballet curriculum is specifically developed for Alberta Ballet School incorporating prominent influences from Cecchetti, Vaganova and French systems of training and is overseen by School Director, Ashley McNeil. The classical ballet curriculum educates dancers in the art form, with an emphasis on a slow build-up of study focusing on body alignment, technique, musicality and artistry at all levels. The dance curriculum provides further education in body conditioning, character and contemporary dance. As the levels progress, study includes pointe work, boys’ work, solo variations, repertoire and pas de deux. All students learn from experienced, international school faculty, guest teachers and professional dancers from Alberta Ballet Company. These educators provide mentorship and instruction, allowing our students to reach their highest, artistic potential.

Contemporary + Modern Dance

Contemporary and modern dance training includes technique class, contemporary repertoire, as well as jazz and commercial/contemporary style of dance instruction from our partners YYC Dance Project. In our senior school program, contemporary and modern dance classes are integral programming at Alberta Ballet School. These classes ensure students are well prepared in many movement forms and have knowledge of differing idioms. Programming is customized to student’s individual goals in either classical or contemporary dance. There is a strong emphasis on the learning and performing of repertoire as it serves an arena in which everything learned in technique class can be brought to the fore and realized. The program consequently includes partnering, and choreographic composition as well as discussion on the role the contemporary arts play in modern society.

Performances

Students perform in annual productions, compete in international ballet competitions, attend seminars from leading artistic directors and train with acclaimed guest teachers from around the world. Each year, students have opportunities to perform in school-created showcases and events including a formal year end performance. Alberta Ballet School’s year end production allows Professional Division students to perform at a nationally recognized venue complete with lighting, costumes, stage design and the choreography of a professional level production. Alberta Ballet Company seeks dancers from the School for many of its annual productions, offering students the opportunity to gain valuable experience with a professional dance company and work with numerous acclaimed choreographers.

School Director: Ms. Ashley McNeil
Artistic Advisor: Ms. Diane van Schoor

For more information about our Professional Division Program, please download our Professional Division Program Guidebook