Alberta Ballet School is a private, Alberta Education-accredited dance training institution and the official training arm of Alberta Ballet in Calgary.
Alberta Ballet School is a comprehensive training institution for aspiring young dancers looking for a career in professional dance. It is a division of Alberta Ballet and is located at 920 12 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2R 0J4. The school hosts more than 100 students from around the world.
Alberta Ballet School is the official training arm of Alberta Ballet. Murray and Nancy Kilgour were invited to Calgary in 2001 to take over the Directorship of the School of Alberta Ballet, and Murray Kilgour stayed as Artistic Director for 13 years. Ashley McNeil became Director of Alberta Ballet School in 2016, after serving as Head of Junior School from 2011 and Artistic Principal from 2013.
The school is accredited by Alberta Education as a private school. Its school day is equally divided between academic and artistic training. Programs include Grades 7-12, the two-year Professional Graduate Program for students seeking additional dance training before auditioning for professional companies, and the one-year Alberta Ballet Trainee Program, which is run in conjunction with Alberta Ballet to bridge training and a professional career.
The school offers on-site academics and year-round residence. Facilities listed include dance studios, academic classrooms, a costume department, a physiotherapy room, student change rooms, a retail store, an outdoor annex and secured building access. Students benefit from an on-site physiotherapy clinic and a body conditioning and mindfulness program, and sports psychology services are available. Residence meal plans and daily transportation to school are also offered.
Professional Program auditions are held via a Summer Intensive, and there is an Early Acceptance audition for international students. Faculty host in-person auditions in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.
Alberta Ballet School reports a 100% diploma completion rate. Students have gone on to join companies including San Francisco Ballet, Alberta Ballet, the Spanish National Ballet and the Japan National Ballet.