Growing Up Strong
A research-backed model for child and youth well-being through dance.
What We Do and How It Works
Where movement meets research, and dance becomes a determinant of health.
Click below to explore how each part of our model works—what we do, how we do it, and why it matters.
Our programs are guided by a clear and credible model that links dance participation to measurable outcomes for children and youth. Rooted in research and refined through practice, this model shows how our classes, residencies, and performances contribute to physical health, emotional development, and social belonging.
Physical Health & Literacy
Dance helps kids stay active.
For kids who aren’t drawn to traditional sports, dance offers a joyful, creative way to stay active. It improves strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility—while also building physical literacy: the confidence and motivation to move for life.
Dance is especially powerful for students who might not feel at home in gym class. It’s expressive, non-competitive, and welcoming to a wide range of abilities and body types.
Through our free outreach programs, Alberta Ballet helps children ages 7–17 develop healthy movement habits—especially in communities where access is limited. The goal isn’t just fitness. It’s fun, confidence, and lifelong wellbeing.
Helping Children Build Strong Bodies—and a Love of Movement
Research Snapshot:
“Dance is a feasible alternative to traditional physical activity, providing significant physiological benefits… and should be seriously considered by policymakers.”
— Tao et al., 2022
Did You Know?
Over 80% of adolescents worldwide don’t meet recommended physical activity levels—especially girls. Dance is one of the most effective and engaging ways to close that gap.
Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being
Dance helps kids feel better—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
As both movement and creative expression, it reduces anxiety and stress, boosts mood, and builds resilience. One long-term study found over 90% of teen girls with stress-related symptoms felt better after weekly dance sessions—and the effects lasted for months.
In the studio, kids learn to process emotions, not suppress them. Movement becomes a safe way to express joy, frustration, sadness, or strength—especially for those who struggle to put feelings into words.
Dance also builds confidence, self-esteem, and belonging. Whether performing with peers or mastering a new step, students leave class feeling more capable, connected, and in control.
For many young people, dance becomes more than an outlet. It becomes a lifeline.
Supporting Resilience, Emotional Expression, and Inner Strength
Dance helps kids feel better—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
As both movement and creative expression, it reduces anxiety and stress, boosts mood, and builds resilience. One long-term study found over 90% of teen girls with stress-related symptoms felt better after weekly dance sessions—and the effects lasted for months.
In the studio, kids learn to process emotions, not suppress them. Movement becomes a safe way to express joy, frustration, sadness, or strength—especially for those who struggle to put feelings into words.
Dance also builds confidence, self-esteem, and belonging. Whether performing with peers or mastering a new step, students leave class feeling more capable, connected, and in control.
For many young people, dance becomes more than an outlet. It becomes a lifeline.
Real-Life Impact in Alberta:
In Calgary, Alberta Ballet partnered with mental health and immigrant service agencies to offer free dance classes to newcomer youth. Over six weeks, students connected with peers, built confidence, and found joy in movement. One organizer shared:
“They came alive in the studio. It gave them something to look forward to—and a way to feel like they belonged here.”
Research Snapshot:
“Dance is beneficial for increasing self-trust, self-esteem, and self-expression in children and adolescents.”
— Frontiers in Psychology, 2023
Did You Know?
Dance is now recognized globally as a complementary mental health intervention—especially for teens navigating stress, identity development, and peer challenges.
Social Belonging and Community
Dance naturally builds belonging.
From childhood through adolescence, belonging is essential for healthy development. It shapes everything from emotional resilience to academic success.
In every class, students move together, build trust, and form lasting connections. Many describe their dance group as a “second home” where they feel seen, valued, and accepted.
Research confirms it: group arts participation strengthens social skills and peer relationships. For youth who feel isolated—by culture, language, or life circumstances—dance creates a bridge. Movement becomes a shared language where words might fail.
At Alberta Ballet, we see this every day. Our outreach programs bring kids together—sometimes for the first time—while our Welcoming Newcomers ticket initiative helps immigrant families connect to Alberta’s cultural life. As one parent shared, attending performances made them feel “part of the community.”
Belonging isn’t just a feel-good outcome. It’s a public health need. And through dance, we help meet it—one step at a time.
Creating Friendship, Trust, and a Place to Belong
Adolescence is a time when friendships and group identity matter more than ever. Dance programs offer young people more than just movement—they offer community.
At Alberta Ballet, our classes and outreach initiatives give children and teens a place to form meaningful relationships, experience inclusion, and develop the social skills that shape lifelong resilience.
“I only kept dancing because they brought training to my hometown. That changed everything.”
— Teen dancer from Grande Prairie, now performing with Alberta Ballet
Research Snapshot:
“Dance participation consistently improves adolescents’ sense of social belonging and peer relationships.”
— Sango & Pickard, 2024
Did You Know?
Children and teens who feel socially connected experience greater life satisfaction and better long-term health—regardless of income or background.
Confidence and Identity
Adolescence is a time of change—and dance helps young people grow through it with confidence.
In our programs, students build self-esteem, emotional awareness, and identity by discovering what they’re capable of. Every mastered movement becomes a moment of pride: “I did something I didn’t think I could do.”
Dance gives youth a way to express themselves—especially when words fall short. It builds not just skills, but self-trust.
And in supportive spaces, it reshapes how young people see their bodies—not as something to judge, but as something to use, create with, and be proud of.
Confidence built in the studio doesn’t stay there. It follows them into life.
Through movement, expression, and community, Alberta Ballet’s programs help children and teens develop self-confidence, strengthen their sense of identity, and recognize their own potential. These internal assets—how youth see themselves—are powerful predictors of lifelong resilience, leadership, and well-being.
“Being asked to lead the younger class made me feel like what I had to offer really mattered.”
— Teen mentor, Alberta Ballet outreach program
Helping Young People Discover Who They Are—and What They’re Capable Of
Real Stories from Alberta
One of the most inspiring examples comes from our Winter Gala in 2025: a 17-year-old from Grande Prairie progressed from outreach classes to Alberta Ballet School, and finally to the stage with the professional company.
“I’m proud to show younger students back home what’s possible. This experience helped me share parts of myself I didn’t even know were there.”
— Local dancer, Winter Gala 2025
Stories like hers become ripple effects. When youth see their peers rise, they start to dream bigger—and believe in themselves.
Research Snapshot:
“Dance supports identity formation and cognitive growth… offering interactional, multimodal opportunities for self-reflection and agency.”
— ArtsEdSearch.org, Katz (2008), Green (2018)
Did You Know?
Confidence gained through dance isn’t just about performance—it’s about life. Youth who feel empowered in the studio are more likely to take positive risks, lead, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.