EDIFICE Competitors

Canada’s National Ballet School has embraced the evolution of dance for over 60 years, establishing itself as a vibrant, internationally-recognized arts organization. Graduates of NBS have become some of the world’s top ballet dancers, choreographers and administrators. At the same time, NBS has broadened accessibility to dance through innovative community outreach initiatives.

Alberta Ballet is one of Canada’s premier dance companies and grounds its artistic vision in a commitment to unparalleled productions that thrill and inspire audiences. Its repertoire spans the full spectrum of ballet genres: from classical to neo-classical to contemporary, and its dancers are renowned for their wide-ranging versatility. Alberta Ballet selects dancers who demonstrate a strong classical foundation and are passionate about working in varied repertoire. This combination sets the troupe apart as one that is uniquely primed for vanguard exploration of artistic expression in dance. The company includes dancers who trained directly with Alberta Ballet School as well as talent from around the world. Alberta Ballet caught the world’s attention with its portrait ballets – collaborations with popular music icons including Joni Mitchell, Sir Elton John, Sarah McLachlan, The Tragically Hip and k.d. lang. This signature series of neo-classical theatre ballet explores the ethos of popular contemporary musicians. The portrait ballet series has been hailed as an innovative way to connect new audiences to ballet. The company performs its full season in each of Alberta’s two major cities, Calgary and Edmonton, and is currently focusing on new creationsthat attract both classical and contemporary fans.

Founded in 1986 by David Y. H. Lui, Jean Orr and Sheila Begg, with Annette av Paul as first Artistic Director, the company has been under the artistic direction of Reid Anderson, Patricia Neary and Barry Ingham, followed by John Alleyne for 17 years and Emily Molnar for 11. As of July 2020, the company is proudly under the directorship of Medhi Walerski. Ballet BC is an internationally acclaimed collaborative and creation-based contemporary ballet company that is a leader and resource in the creation, production and education of contemporary dance in Canada. Bold and innovative, the Company’s distinctive style and approach has made a unique and valuable national contribution to the development of dance. In 2019, the Company was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production for their tour to Sadler’s Wells in London.