Extending the Reach of Dance

Extending the Reach of Dance: Alberta Ballet’s Provincial Outreach

At Alberta Ballet, we believe that world-class dance belongs to everyone—not just to those living in major centres. For over a decade, we’ve worked to remove the barriers that prevent children and youth in smaller cities and rural areas from accessing the joy and developmental benefits of dance. Today, that belief is in motion across the province.

Through a combination of free classes, summer intensives, and performance experiences, we are reaching more communities than ever before. This report outlines the scope of our current outreach efforts and the impact we are making in collaboration with local partners, schools, and families.

Where We Work

Our outreach programming spans cities, towns, and First Nations across Alberta. Over the past three years, Alberta Ballet has delivered programming in:

  • Medicine Hat

  • Red Deer

  • Fort McMurray

  • Fort McKay First Nation

  • Grande Prairie

  • Chateh

  • Leduc

Looking Ahead: Expansion & Vision

  • High Level

  • Cold Lake

  • Rural districts surrounding Medicine Hat, Red Deer, and Grande Prairie

What We Do

At Alberta Ballet, we believe that dance has the power to shape strong, confident, and connected young people. Across Alberta, our programs reach thousands of children and youth through performance experiences, professional training, recreational classes, and community outreach.

Explore how we’re helping the next generation grow up strong:

  • Live Performances: Inspiring 70,000 young audience members through magical, world-class ballet each season.

  • Professional Training: Guiding 100 professional training students through full-time education at our ballet and academic boarding school. We distribute $100K in scholarships to Alberta students each year.

  • Recreational Classes: Welcoming 800 young dancers annually into beginner and intermediate programs in Calgary and Edmonton as well as Affiliate programming, Masterclasses and Summer Intensives throughout Alberta.

  • Community Outreach: Offering free dance classes to 1,000 students in underserved communities across Alberta.

  • Welcoming Newcomers: Through performances and outreach classes, we support the integration of immigrant and refugee youth by fostering belonging, confidence, and cultural connection in their new home.

  • Powwow & Ballet: Honouring culture and tradition in a unique collaboration with the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta.