Calgary's Aspiring Ballerinas Compete for Coveted Spots in National Program
Dozens of dedicated young dancers from Calgary and surrounding areas demonstrated their technical precision and artistic expression during intensive auditions held Saturday at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks in the Beltline district. The event marked the beginning of the National Ballet School of Canada's 11-city cross-country tour to identify Canada's most promising ballet talents for their world-renowned Professional Ballet-Academic Program.
The Path to Professional Ballet
Ashleigh Powell, director of teacher training and community dance at NBS, described the program as "a pretty rigorous pursuit, just like the Olympics" designed for serious dancers in grades 6 through 12. "It's for people who really have dreams of dancing on the world stage," Powell emphasized, noting the school's unique position as one of the few institutions in North America offering comprehensive professional ballet training, academic schooling, and residential care within a single campus environment.
Successful candidates from Saturday's audition will receive invitations to attend an additional intensive training session at the school's Toronto headquarters. Following this rigorous evaluation, approximately 50 dancers nationwide will earn full-time placements beginning September 2026.
Life as a National Ballet School Student
Those accepted into the elite program will experience an immersive dance education that includes the extraordinary opportunity to perform with the National Ballet of Canada in their celebrated holiday production of The Nutcracker. The comprehensive curriculum encompasses:
- Four to six hours of daily ballet classes focusing on variations, repertoire, and pas de deux
- Contemporary repertoire and technique training
- Improvisation, drama, and expression workshops
- Historical and character dance studies
- Anatomy courses specifically designed for dancers
The program's distinguished alumni include internationally recognized dancers such as Siphesihle November, now a principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada; Emma Hawes, lead principal with the English National Ballet; and Isabella Gasparini, first soloist with London's Royal Ballet.
A Dancer's Journey: From Skates to Pointe Shoes
Among the talented hopefuls was 14-year-old Calgarian Jaylene Xu, a student at Ernest Manning High School who initially approached ballet as supplementary training for her figure skating career. "I like being able to express myself without having to use any words, and I like how freeing it can make me feel," Xu shared, explaining her transition from competitive swimming, figure skating, and gymnastics to focusing exclusively on ballet four years ago.
Xu described the ballet community as a significant draw, adding "I like the community that ballet can bring me and I guess I just like the feeling that it can bring me as well." Her journey reflects the dedication and passion common among the young artists vying for placement in Canada's most prestigious ballet institution.
