Ballet

Classical ballet is one of the core dance disciplines taught at the Academy. The Ballet Program is the Academy’s own carefully constructed system of training developed from the wealth of experience of expert teachers building on the strengths of the Vaganova, Cecchetti and Royal Academy of Dance Syllabi.

Dancers are continuously brought to their highest individual levels by the resident faculty, whose vast knowledge is the foundation for finding post-graduate placements in companies and institutions around the world.

Dancers are accepted from three years old, where the focus is rhythm and coordination. A thorough grounding in basics is developed in the younger years, including character dance and body conditioning.

The Academy’s Ballet Program offers General, Closed and Professional Divisions, including a Half-Day Program. Each Division is developed to meet the goals of the individual dancers. The Royal Academy of Dance examinations are offered in all divisions from the Primary to the Solo Seal level.

The Professional Divisions are entered into by audition only. The course of study expands to include anatomy, pointe, repertoire, pas de deux, body conditioning, Pilates, variations and men’s classes.

In addition, dancers are provided with opportunities to rehearse and perform on stages across the Lower Mainland, including performances with live orchestras and industry professionals. World-renowned guest artists are drawn to the Academy and are invited annually to train dancers in this division, bringing their newest choreography and innovative dance techniques.

The Ballet Program strives to develop each dancer’s confidence, poise, motivation and self-discipline. The Program is unique in that it also includes intensive studies in modern, contemporary and contemporary-ballet as well as opportunities to train in the Academy's other diverse disciplines.

Graduates from the Ballet Program continue to be the strongest classical and most well-rounded dancers possible. Our alumni are dancing professionally in some of the world’s most respected companies as a testament to the results this program achieves both technically and artistically.