Students’ physical and mental health is of the utmost importance in meeting the demands of professional training and ensuring each student is performing at their optimum. Alberta Ballet School provides on-site physiotherapy services in addition to access to other support services such as nutritional and sport psychological care. Students, wellness staff and faculty work in tandem to ensure diagnosis, prognosis, recovery requirements and estimated timeline for return are clearly understood and respected.
Physical Health
Access to our on-site Physiotherapist is included in your tuition at Alberta Ballet School which ensures our students have dedicated access to preventative and rehabilitation programs imperative to maintaining the physical health a body requires to dance at an elite level. Alberta Ballet School encourages students to seek the assistance of our health professionals upon first sign of discomfort promoting an environment where physical health and wellness is a priority.
Performance Psychologist
The focus of performance psychology is helping students effectively manage themselves so they can be their mental and physical best everyday. At Alberta Ballet School Dr. Natasha Kutlesa, R.Psych, collaborates closely with our students, as well as mentors our faculty, to ensure our students and the school environment as a whole is built for success.
Sports Nutrition
Nutrition is a critical part of a dancer’s life. The choices made every day about what and how much to eat are amplified when those choices directly impact performance, training, and recovery. Alberta Ballet School Board Certified Sports Dietician Kim Wagner Jones consults with, and educates, both students and staff on nutrition and positive eating habits. Kim also consults with our Residence Team and third party suppliers to design meal plans for our Residence Program participants.
Dance Science Study
Alberta Ballet Dance Science Partnership highlights the science behind ballet. In this partnership, Alberta Ballet School's pre-professional training benefits from the research undertaken by University of Calgary’s Department of Kinesiology. The goal of the partnership is to help support students in their pursuit of longer, healthier careers on stage.
Health and Wellness Team
Physiotherapist
Jonathan Glass PT, MScPT, BSc (Kinesiology)
Jonathan is a born and raised Calgarian. He obtained a Bachelor of Kinesiology from Acadia University, followed by his Master of Science in Physiotherapy at the University of Alberta.
Highly involved in sports himself, Jonathan worked with his university hockey and football teams and continues to enjoy working with athletes from all levels. Through continued mentorship with Physiotherapy leaders, Jonathan has developed a special interest in hip, shoulder, and spinal injuries.
Jonathan loves to learn and is continually adding to his knowledge and skills in the field of sports and musculoskeletal injuries. He has attained certifications from both the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute and Functional Dry Needling (IMS). He has also completed courses focusing on his Diploma in Manual and Manipulative Physiotherapy. Regular literature searches help ensure the delivery of appropriate evidence-based physiotherapy. Jonathan’s focus lies in providing accurate assessment and ensuring every client’s concern is understood and treated thoroughly to achieve their individual goals.
In his spare time, Jonathan smiles when he is outside! His favourite activity involves wearing out the granny gear on his mountain bike over mountain passes, exploring the city on foot or two-wheels, listening to great music, laughing, and trying to keep pace with his two young children.
Head, Health and Wellness Program
Nathalie Nadeau-Hope LCC-CIBC
Trained at L’École Supérieure de Danse de Québec in Montréal, Nathalie graduated under the tutelage of Daniel Seillier, a graduate of The Paris Opera Ballet School, National Ballet of Canada teacher and recipient of the Order of Canada.
Nathalie trained and danced in Montréal, but her career was cut short due to an injury. She continued her performing career in Musical Theatre and was privileged to join the Canadian company of Phantom of the Opera in leading roles with both the Toronto and Touring cast. Her love of movement and teaching, along with her desire to help others recover from injury and prevent injuries are close to her heart. This led Nathalie to continue her studies in postural rehabilitation, anatomy and physiology and holds her certificate from the Ferdinand Penchenat Method (with Thérèse Cadrin-Petit). She now helps athletes, dancers and many people of all walks of life with injury recovery while increasing their skill level and performance ability. Nathalie introduced The Fitness Table to Calgary in 1996.
Nathalie holds her Licentiate Certificate with Cecchetti Canada, gained under the mentorship of Nancy Kilgour, who is a recipient of the Order of Canada. Nathalie is a Professional Division Senior Level Ballet Teacher, as well as the Head of Alberta Ballet School's Health and Wellness Program. Nathalie also shares her knowledge at The Fitness Table Calgary as a postural and core instructor. Since 2018, Nathalie has held the role of The Nutcracker Children Cast Rehearsal Director for Alberta Ballet in Calgary.
Nathalie has a beautiful family that she loves and is thankful to always be surrounded by wonderful friends and family.