artistic director: Jean Grand-Maître
executive director: Martin Bragg
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Company and School History
Link to Vision and Mission Statements
An Historical Look at Alberta Ballet and School of Alberta Ballet
Alberta Ballet, a not-for-profit charitable organization, is Canada's third largest dance company and is in its 43rd season. Alberta Ballet has developed a distinctive repertoire and performance quality that has brought it to the forefront of both its home and international stages. The Company of Alberta Ballet comprises 30 classically trained professional dancers from Australia, Canada, England, France, Japan, Italy, Korea, Cuba and the United States.
The seed of Alberta Ballet was planted in the early 1950s by the late Dr. Ruth Carse in Edmonton. In 1966, it officially took the name Alberta Ballet Company and in 1990 completed a successful merger with Calgary City Ballet. The new organization operates and performs in both Calgary and Edmonton. The main office in Calgary's Nat Christie Centre houses two studios, dancers' lounge, wardrobe facilities and the administrative office. There is also an office in Edmonton with a smaller staff. The Company also has a 10,000 sq. ft. warehouse in southeast Calgary that stores existing sets and is used to build new sets.
At the suggestion of the Provincial Government in 1966, the name changed to Alberta Ballet Company, later shortened to Alberta Ballet. In 1975, Dr. Carse stepped down and Jeremy Leslie-Spinks provided artistic leadership for one season until the appointment of Brydon Paige, who served as artistic director from 1976 to 1988. Ali Pourfarrokh fulfilled the position for ten years until 1998, and then Mikko Nissinen took the reigns for the next two years. In 2002, Canadian-born Jean Grand-Maître was appointed to the post. During his tenure, Grand-Maître has elevated the profile of Alberta Ballet across Canada and around the world.
Alberta Ballet reaches thousands of Albertans each season from September to May as well as performs across Canada, and internationally to the United States, Europe, China, and Africa. The Company invites leading and world renowned conductors, choreographers and other guest artists to take part in their seasons, as well as presents the best of Canada's ballet companies including the National Ballet of Canada, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal and Ballet British Columbia.
School of Alberta Ballet
In 1991, Alberta Ballet established the School of Alberta Ballet located in downtown Calgary. It has grown into one of the leading training institutions in Canada with an enrolment of more than 500 students under the leadership of Principal Murray Kilgour and his wife Nancy. The School season runs from September to June, ending with an exciting Year End Performance with all students.
The School offers two divisions to nurture and develop young dancers to their greatest individual potential. The Regular Division emphasizes physical health, discipline and the enjoyment and appreciation of music and dance. The Professional Division establishes a foundation on which to build a career in dance. Students in the Professional Division follow a more intensive and specialized training program. There are currently four Alberta Ballet dancers who were students of the School. The School also offers a Summer School program for three weeks, which provides young dancers with the opportunity to train with both Alberta Ballet's artistic staff and international guest teachers.
The 1998-1999 season brought the inception of two exciting educational initiatives. A partnership was formed between the School of Alberta Ballet and the Calgary Board of Education (later joined by the Calgary Catholic School District) to provide high school credits for dance courses. In addition, a Bachelor of Arts Dance (Ballet) degree was created at the University of Calgary – the first of its kind in Canada.
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