Programme & Cast
Creative Team
Artistic Team
Alberta Ballet Dancers
Alberta Ballet School Casting
Alberta Ballet Classes
Alberta Ballet Foundation
Alberta Ballet Donors
Alberta Ballet Partners
Board of Directors

A Message from the Artistic Director

FRANCESCO VENTRIGLIA | Artistic Director

Welcome to The Winter Gala

Dear Friends,

I am Francesco Ventriglia, the Artistic Director of Alberta Ballet, and it fills my heart with immense joy and gratitude to present to you tonight our 2026 Winter Gala. This marks the third edition of what has truly become an annual tradition for both Alberta Ballet and the Alberta Ballet School, and I can’t express how grateful we are for your continued support.

As we gather this evening, I reflect on how this event has blossomed into a vibrant celebration of our identity and aspirations within the ballet community. Each year, we witness the incredible achievements of our company artists and as well the journey of our students, many of whom transition from the Alberta Ballet School to become artists within the Alberta Ballet Company. It’s a testament to their hard work and our commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent.

Tonight, we are thrilled to showcase the remarkable abilities of our over 100 professional students, shining brightly under the guidance of Ashley McNeil and our dedicated faculty. Their passion and dedication remind us of the importance of fostering creativity and artistry. We are equally excited to present performances from our company artists, featuring iconic works that have never before graced our stage. This evening is not just about the performances; it’s about the artistry and the connections we forge through dance.

As we embark on this unforgettable evening, I am filled with excitement and pride to share this experience with you. Together, let’s toast to a wonderful 2026 for Alberta Ballet and for each of you who have supported us on this incredible journey. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming debuts of Romeo & Juliet in February, Swan Lake in March and Notre Dame de Paris in April.

Thank you for being here tonight and for your unwavering support. Let us celebrate the beauty of dance, the strength of our community, and the promise of a bright future together.

Enjoy the 2026 Winter Gala!

FRANCESCO VENTRIGLIA
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Programme & Cast

ACT I

Défilé du Ballet
A mesmerizing showcase that shines a spotlight on the exceptional talents of the students of Alberta Ballet School, who embody the very essence of the dancers of tomorrow. These remarkable young artists stand at the pinnacle of their training, demonstrating the highest level of classical ballet technique and showcasing their innate artistry and dedication. The performance is a testament to their unwavering commitment and the promise they hold for the future of ballet.

CHOREOGRAPHY: Edmund Stripe, Ashley McNeil
MUSIC: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performed by the Students of Alberta Ballet School

The Handover – School to Company
Set to the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the Russian Dance from Onegin, is a heartwarming and poignant transition, where the talented Alberta Ballet School students, representing the future, hand over the spotlight to the accomplished artistry of Alberta Ballet’s professional dancers.

CHOREOGRAPHY: Francesco Ventriglia
MUSIC: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performed by the Students of Alberta Ballet School and Alberta Ballet Artists

Pas de Deux from Swan Lake (Act II)
In Act II of Swan Lake, Siegfried wanders and finds himself at a moonlit lake where he encounters a flock of swans who transform into women. Odette appears and explains that she and the other women are trapped under a spell cast by the sorcerer Rothbart: By day they are swans, and by night human. Odette explains that only a vow of true love can break the curse.

CHOREOGRAPHY: Benjamin Pech
MUSIC: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
COSTUME DESIGN: Swan Lake tutu courtesy of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet
VIOLINIST: Diana Cohen (courtesy of Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra) and Sylvia Chow (Edmonton)
PIANIST: Roman Rabinovich (Calgary) and Michael Li (Edmonton)
Performed by Alberta Ballet Artists Jolie Rose Lombardo and Rémy Gray

Forest Song
Forest Song is one of the most well-known Ukrainian ballets. It is based on a poetic story inspired by Ukrainian folklore and nature. Field Scene from Forest Song shows a golden field of wheat, where the dancers move like grain in the breeze. Their flowing movement reflects wind, light, and open space, creating a sense of freedom and harmony, bringing the beauty of the landscape and the unity of nature and humanity to the stage.

CHOREOGRAPHY: Andiry Litvinov. Re-staged and coached by Tetyana Gazizova.
MUSIC: Mykhailo Skorulsky
Performed by the Students of Alberta Ballet School

Dance of Knights from Romeo & Juliet
Set to Sergei Prokofiev’s score, Dance of Knights takes place at the Capulet ball, where Romeo and Juliet first see each other. The dance introduces the Capulets and is a display of power, order, and status. Heavy, grounded movements and imposing formations emphasize their authority in Verona and sets the inevitable conflict between the Capulets and Montagues.

CHOREOGRAPHY: Francesco Ventriglia
MUSIC: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
COSTUME DESIGN: James Acheson
Music recording and costumes courtesy of the Royal New Zealand Ballet
Performed by Alberta Ballet Artists

ACT II

Mahler
Set to the score of Mahler’s Symphony Number 5 Adagietto and inspired by the poetic lines of Ramón Sampedro (Letters from Hell): If you feel at some point in your life this shivering, it is my love that is able to embrace you, even if you don’t know what it is.

CHOREOGRAPHY: Francesco Ventriglia
MUSIC: Gustav Mahler
Performed by Alberta Ballet Artists Luna Sasaki and Aaron Anker

Surface Tension
Surface Tension gathers 35 students into a shared journey of movement and momentum. Inspired by patterns in nature, like schools of fish, the group navigates risk and uncertainty through collective action. Individual choices influence the whole, reminding us that unity is both powerful and necessary.

CHOREOGRAPHY: Racheal Prince and Brandon Lee Alley (Dance//Novella).
Rehearsed by Graham McKelvie
MUSIC: Brandon Lee Alley
Performed by the Students of Alberta Ballet School

BEYOND
BEYOND made its Alberta premiere at the Badlands Amphitheatre, and is an exhilarating new work by Francesco Ventriglia, originally created for DANSEncore festival in Trois-Rivières. This bold, contemporary piece pushes the boundaries of movement and emotion, inviting audiences to journey beyond the known and discover what lies on the other side of possibility.

CHOREOGRAPHY: Francesco Ventriglia
MUSIC: Thylacine and Oliver Heldens
Performed by Alberta Ballet Artists

Grand Finale
The grand finale of the gala performance is a breathtaking moment where the students from Alberta Ballet School and Company Dancers return to the stage, creating a stunning visual spectacle. Set to Ponchielli’s La Danza delle ore, a ballet section from the opera La Gioconda, this finale is a musical masterpiece. Each couple will revisit their unique pas de deux, bringing their individual artistry to the forefront before joining together for a mesmerizing ensemble. This magnificent finale unites the entire ballet school on stage, creating a memorable and heartwarming conclusion to the gala.

CHOREOGRAPHY: Francesco Ventriglia
MUSIC: Amilcare Ponchielli
Performed by Alberta Ballet Artists and the Students of Alberta Ballet School

Music licensing provided by Sony Music, BMG, NAXOS, Warner Music Canada

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The Winter Gala
Creative Team

  • Francesco Ventriglia is an Italian ballet dancer, choreographer and Artistic Director. Having graduated from La Scala Ballet School, Ventriglia joined the ballet company of La Scala in 1997. He danced numerous soloist and principal roles with the company, including works by Roland Petit, Nureyev, Balanchine, Forsythe, Makarova, Ailey, Neumeier, Cranko, Preljocaj, Godani, Kylian, Guillem, and Bejart. Internationally, his performances with La Scala included Hilarion at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and at Covent Garden, opposite Sylvie Guillem in her creation of Giselle.

    Ventriglia is a choreographer of classical and contemporary ballet, having works performed internationally by companies such as the La Scala Ballet, Arena di Verona, Bolshoi Theatre, The Mariinsky Theatre, Grand Theatre du Geneve, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Ballet Nacional Sodre, and at the Venice Biannale.

    In 2010, he was appointed as Artistic Director and principal choreographer by the Florence Opera House for Maggio Danza until 2013. In 2014, he was named the Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

    Ventriglia’s tenure as Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet concluded in June 2017, however he continued his artistic relationship with the company, creating a new full-length ballet, Romeo and Juliet which toured nationally.

    From January 2018, Ventriglia was adjunct artistic director of the National Ballet of Uruguay, Ballet Nacional Sodre. From 2020 to 2024, Ventriglia established himself in Sydney and co-founded the Sydney Choreographic Centre and Ensemble. In January 2024, he was appointed Artistic Director of Alberta Ballet. For Alberta Ballet, Ventriglia has choreographed productions such as La Sylphide, The Wizard of Oz, and Don Quixote. In April 2025, Alberta Ballet toured to Dubai and presented his creation, A Thousand Tales at the Dubai Opera.

  • Edmund Stripe is a prolific and award-winning choreographer, Edmund Stripe has established a notable career in both contemporary and classical ballet fields as a dancer and ballet master.

    Stripe was born in London, England and trained at the Royal Ballet School where his distinguished teachers included Walter Trevor, Nancy Kilgour, Piers Beaumont and Richard Glasstone. He has danced with Ballet Gulbenkian (Portugal), London City Ballet, and the West Australian Ballet, where he created many major works for the company. He was appointed Ballet Master for West Australian Ballet in 1998.

    He joined Singapore Dance Theatre as Ballet Master in 2000: there he assisted in the mounting and re-creation of works by such noted choreographers as Jivˇí Kylián, Nacho Duato, and Goh Choo San. In 2002, he moved to Alberta Ballet as Ballet Master and over the next decade, assisted with works by George Balanchine, Agnes de Mille, Christopher Wheeldon and Jean Grand-Maître.

    His works for Alberta Ballet include Unquiet Light (2003), Swelter (2005), Alice in Wonderland (2006) and The Nutcracker (2008). He continues creating with Alberta Ballet as Choreographic Associate/Artist in Residence.

  • Ashley McNeil is the Director of Alberta Ballet School, one of Canada’s premier ballet training institutions, recognized for its exceptional dance training and combined academic program that attracts students from around the world. She began her ballet studies with Eleanor Brennan and continued at Canada’s National Ballet School, The School of Dance, and Quinte Ballet School, graduating under the guidance of esteemed educators Joyce Shietze and Brian Scott. She taught and performed across Ontario, including with Canadian Dance Company, before relocating to Alberta to join Alberta Ballet. McNeil became a teacher in the professional program in 2004 and has played a central role in shaping the school’s professional training programs. She has also served as a ballet instructor in the University of Calgary’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program. Mentored by internationally respected pedagogues and former Alberta Ballet School Directors Murray and Nancy Kilgour, she earned her Fellowship designation with Cecchetti Canada and completed the Enrico Cecchetti Final Diploma examination, the highest accreditation within the method.

    McNeil was named one of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2015 in recognition of her artistic leadership and role in establishing the school’s dormitories and private academic program. She was appointed Head of Junior School in 2011, promoted to Artistic Principal in 2013, and became Director in 2016. Under the mentorship of Master Teacher Diane van Schoor, she led the comprehensive development and refinement of the school’s curriculum, creating a cohesive, progressive model that integrates rigorous technical training with student centered development.

    A sought-after adjudicator and guest teacher, McNeil has served on juries for Youth America Grand Prix, Youth Grand Prix and the World Ballet Arts Competition, including the final rounds of these internationally renowned competitions. She has guided students who have gone on to join leading companies worldwide, including San Francisco Ballet, Alberta Ballet, the Spanish National Ballet, and the Japan National Ballet, and has guest taught internationally throughout Europe, USA and Australia.

    Through her vision, leadership, and dedication to program development and student care, Ashley McNeil has helped position Alberta Ballet School as a leader in ballet education on the international stage.

  • Benjamin Pech is a celebrated French ballet dancer best known as an étoile (principal dancer) of the Paris Opera Ballet, one of the world’s foremost ballet companies.

    Pech began dance training in jazz at age eight and soon transitioned to classical ballet. He entered the Paris Opera Ballet School in 1986, where he completed his education and performed in student productions and tours. In 1992, at age 18, he joined the Paris Opera Ballet corps de ballet. His talent was quickly recognized: he was promoted to coryphée in 1994, sujet (soloist) in 1997, and premier danseur (first soloist) in 1999.

    Pech earned numerous awards early in his career, including the Grand Prix and Gold Medal at the International Plisetskaya Competition in Saint Petersburg, the Prix du Cercle Carpeaux, and the AROP Prize. In 2005, during a Paris Opera Ballet tour in Shanghai, he was promoted to étoile after performing Albrecht in Giselle and Frédéri in L’Arlésienne.

    As an étoile, Pech’s repertoire spanned classical, neo‑classical, and contemporary works. He danced leading roles in Swan Lake, Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, Onegin, Romeo and Juliet, The Firebird, and ballets by renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, and Alexei Ratmansky.

    After more than two decades with the company, Pech retired in 2016 with a farewell performance at the Palais Garnier. Following retirement, Pech continued his artistic involvement in dance as a choreographer, coach, and artistic advisor. He later served as Associate Director at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, contributing to productions and the artistic development of ballet

    Renowned for his refined technique, dramatic presence, and versatility across styles, Benjamin Pech remains an influential figure in French and international ballet

  • Andiry Litvinov is a professional ballet artist and choreographer noted in classical dance circles. He began his career as a dancer in 1986 at the Maria Bieșu National Opera and Ballet Theater in Moldova, performing leading roles in classical repertoire such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Giselle and Romeo and Juliet. In 2005, he started teaching ballet and in 2007, became chief choreographer for theatre productions in Kharkiv, Lviv, and Sibiu (Romania). He has served as Chief Choreographer of The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine and is Artistic Director at Classical Arts Entertainment.

    Litvinov also participates as a judge in international choreographic competitions and is a member of the International Dance Council (CID) at UNESCO in France. He teaches at the National Choreographic College of Moldova and his students have won Grand Prix awards at major international competitions. His work spans classical productions like Swan Lake and Cinderella and contemporary staged ballet performances.

  • Racheal Prince originally from Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Racheal Prince trained at the Quinte Ballet School under the direction of Brian Scott and later completed Alberta Ballet School’s Post Graduate Program under the guidance of Murray and Nancy Kilgour. She became the first graduate of the program to join Alberta Ballet under a full company contract. During her four seasons with the company, she performed works by George Balanchine, Emily Molnar, Margie Gillis, Christopher Wheeldon, and Jean Grand-Maître.

    At age 23, she joined Ballet BC, where she danced for twelve seasons in works by many of today’s leading contemporary choreographers, including Emily Molnar, William Forsythe, Sharon Eyal, and Ohad Naharin. Her touring credits include acclaimed venues such as Sadler’s Wells, Jacob’s Pillow, and BAM. Following her performance career, Prince served as Assistant Rehearsal Director at Ballet BC, staging Medhi Walerski’s Romeo and Juliet and Prelude. She is also a devoted mentor, teacher, and arts advocate, deeply committed to supporting the next generation of dance artists.

    Prince is the co-founder and co-artistic director of Dance//Novella, a Vancouver-based contemporary dance company she leads with her partner Brandon Lee Alley. Company highlights include their tenure as Artists-in-Residence at Ballet BC, receiving the Vancouver International Dance Festival’s Choreographic Award, and selection for a Dance Artist Residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. In 2025, Dance//Novella received their first international commission with SALT Contemporary Dance. That same year, Racheal & Brandon choreographed Spectre de la Rose for Alberta Ballet as part of the Nijinsky program, a contemporary reimagining of the iconic work of Ballets Russes

  • Brandon Lee Alley was born in North Carolina and now lives, heart first, on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, known as Vancouver. A multi-hyphenate creature of curiosity, he began his professional dance career with Hubbard Street 2 and BODYTRAFFIC before joining Ballet BC in 2015. After five seasons, he continued performing with Vancouver-based companies, most notably in Company 605’s cross-cultural work Sloth Canon, and in 2022 joined Crystal Pite’s Kidd Pivot, touring internationally in the award-winning productions Revisor and Assembly Hall.

    He is the co-founder of Dance//Novella, a contemporary dance company rooted in virtuosic expression and community care. D//N has presented work at SOUNDOFF, Canada’s leading deaf theatre festival, and is a resident company at The Polygon Gallery. Committed to artist development and meaningful collaboration, D//Nprovides substantial support and opportunities for growth within an ever-evolving industry.

    A dedicated educator and joyful provocateur, Alley has shared with numerous programs including Modus Operandi, Richmond Academy of Dance, Arts Umbrella and Ballet BC 44. He is also an accredited audio engineer, composing original scores for dance that fuse technology with accessibility and bold artistic expression.

    Most days, you’ll find him juggling, composing, or dancing alongside his wife Racheal, chasing wonder in the small, everyday cues.

  • Alejandro Fajardo is a Colombian artist based in New York City, working primarily as a lighting designer for theater, dance, and live events, with recent ventures into production design for immersive and theatrical projects.

    His multidisciplinary career spans industries including fashion and music, having designed lighting for New York Fashion Week (2015–2019) through IMCD Lighting and Rob Ross Design, and created custom light art installations for major music festivals. Deeply involved in the dance world, he serves as lighting director for the Flamenco Festival and associate lighting director for the Fall for Dance Festival at New York City Center. He has toured nationally and internationally as lighting supervisor for productions like The Day (Lucinda Childs, Wendy Whelan, Maya Beiser), Brian Brooks’ works, and Tesseract by Rashaun Silas & Charles Atlas. 

    His theatrical credits include Public Servant, The Healing (Theatre Breaking Through Barriers), The Last Five Years (Warren Miller Performing Arts Center), SUPERHERO (Southern Theater), and The Rake’s Progress (Curtis Institute of Music), among many others. Fajardo also has a strong background in photography, and is skilled in both digital and analog formats. He is a contributing photographer for Chance Magazine and covered the 2015 Prague Quadrennial.

  • Hayna Gutierrez was born in Havana, Cuba, and trained at the Cuban National Ballet School. She joined Ballet Nacional de Cuba in 1998, becoming Principal Dancer in 2004. From 2010 to 2019, Gutierrez was Principal Dancer with Alberta Ballet, performing leading roles including Giselle, Kitri (Don Quixote), Odette/Odile (Swan Lake), Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), and Cio Cio San (Madame Butterfly).

    She has created roles in works by Jean Grand-Maître, Yukichi Hattori, and Wen Wei Wang, and has performed featured roles in Balanchine’s works. Gutierrez has danced across Europe and North America and has over 20 years of experience as a ballet educator. In 2013, she received the Miami Life Award for Best Hispanic Female Dancer and has performed internationally at the Incolballet Ballet Festival.

    Now in her first season as Rehearsal Director with Alberta Ballet, Gutierrez brings her expertise, leadership, and passion to guide the company toward artistic excellence.

  • After a distinguished 17-year career as a professional dancer, including eight seasons with Alberta Ballet, Yoshiya Sakurai has transitioned to the role of Rehearsal Director at Alberta Ballet. His extensive experience on stage and in rehearsal studios now enriches the company from a new perspective.

    Originally from Niigata, Japan, Sakurai began his ballet training at Niigata Ballet School and age of 14, he won scholarships to Royal Ballet School and John Cranko Ballet School at Japan Grand Prix. He furthered his education at Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto where he graduated and received the Peter Dwyer Scholarship. He has danced with American Repertory Ballet, Boston Ballet II, and Kansas City Ballet before joining Alberta Ballet in 2016. He also performed as guest artist and guest teacher internationally.

    Throughout his career, he has captivated audiences with his remarkable interpretations of iconic roles. He has worked with internationally known choreographers and performed many principal roles such as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Albrecht in Giselle, Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, Prince Desire in The SleepingBeauty, and The Prince in Cinderella.

    Now, as a Rehearsal Director, Sakurai brings his wealth of experience and insight to guide the next generation of dancers.

  • Tetyana Gazizova began her ballet training at the age of 7 at Vadim’s Pisarev School of Choreographic Mastery in Donetsk, Ukraine, studying under the guidance of Galina Volodina and Olena Ogurtsova. She furthered her education with a master’s degree in Directing for Ballet from Kyiv National I. K. Karpenko-Karyi University of Theatre, Cinema, and Television under the direction of Sergiy Bondur, People’s Artist of Ukraine, and a master’s degree in Culturology from Donetsk National University, both awarded with honors.

    At 15, Gazizova commenced her professional dance career as a ballet dancer with the Donetsk National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, where she performed for over a decade under the direction of Vadim Pisarev, People’s Artist of Ukraine.

    Her teaching career is distinguished by her role in training students who have advanced to prestigious ballet institutions worldwide, including the Paris Opera Ballet School, the Ballet Academy of La Scala Theatre in Milan, the Royal Ballet School in London, the Paris National Conservatory of Music and Dance, the John Cranko School in Stuttgart.

    Tetyana Gazizova has held teaching positions at Vadim’s Pisarev School of Choreographic Mastery in Donetsk, Ukraine; Den Norske Balletskole and Akademi in Oslo; the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School; and now is thrilled to have joined Alberta Ballet School.

  • Graham McKelvie was born and raised in Saskatoon where he began his training with Hazel Ann Olson at Saskatoon School of Ballet. He continued his training as a scholarship student at Canada’s National Ballet School and then in the professional training program at the School of the Toronto Dance Theatre.

    In 1988, he joined the Toronto Dance Theatre, and was until 2011, a principal dancer with Coleman et Lemieux et Compagnie. His award-winning choreographic work have been presented internationally, most notably in various cities across Canada and Japan. McKelvie has taught at the School of the Toronto Dance Theatre, National Ballet School, and York University. McKelvie was first a guest teacher at Kobe Jogakuin University in Japan before becoming a full-time staff member from 2011 to 2014.

    Since 2015, Graham McKelvie has been the Head of Contemporary Dance Training at Alberta Ballet School. He continues to teach master classes across Canada.

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Alberta Ballet Dancers

The Winter Gala
Alberta Ballet School Casting

Alberta Ballet Artistic Team

  • Originally from just outside of Seattle, WA, Reilley joined Alberta Ballet as a dancer in 2008 and has long considered Canada her home. After her fourteen-year career as a dancer with Alberta Ballet, Reilley transitioned into the administrative side of Alberta Ballet in the Artistic Department. She is currently the Artistic Executive Manager and enjoys helping behind the scenes and sharing the knowledge that she has gained while working within the organization over the years. Ballet continues to play a central role in her life not only through her own career but also through her husband, a former Alberta Ballet dancer, and their two children, who are both dedicated students at the Alberta Ballet School.

  • Raven has been working in the arts for 18 years as a stitcher, costume crafter, dresser, wardrobe assistant, head of wardrobe, production director and now as a part of the Alberta Ballet artistic team. Being a local Albertan, Ravens’ work has been concentrated in Calgary, but has also taken her around our great province, across Canada, to the US and Europe in theatre, film and dance. More than half of her career has been spent at Alberta Ballet and she is so excited to be a part of the artistic team, assisting in bringing ballet magic to our community and beyond.  

  • Originally, from Medicine Hat, Rebecca relocated to Calgary after completing a BFA in Theatre Studies from the University of Lethbridge to pursue her passion for the arts. She has worked for various arts organizations in the city in the last 7 years and is enjoying her time working with both the artistic and production teams at Alberta Ballet. She is looking forward to what this season brings and is grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented group of people and artists. 

Alberta Ballet Artistic Support

Company Teachers | Francesco Ventriglia, Yoshiya Sakurai, Hayna Gutierrez,
Class Pianists | Lorel Leal, Michael Li
Rehearsal Pianist | Michael Li
Physiotherapy | Peak Health and Performance
Stage Manager | Marisa Mireau
Second Stage Manager | Ingrid Kottke

Production Team

Technical Director | Jason McLellan
Head Carpenter | Brian Chmielewski
Lead Fly | Kevin Green
Lead Props | Cassandra Thorbjornsen
Lead Lighting | Chris Axford
Second Lighting | Oliver Petti
Lead Wardrobe | Erin LeBaron
Second Wardrobe | Lori McMahon
School Wardrobe | Quynh Chestnut

Stage Technicians provided by IATSE Local 212.

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Learn More
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The Alberta Ballet Foundation:
More than what you see on stage

The Alberta Ballet Foundation is part of the vital network of supporters and funders who help make this vision possible. This support sustains scholarships, outreach, and artistic initiatives. From training young dancers to bringing ballet to new audiences, these programs keep the art form thriving.

In addition to supporting Alberta Ballet’s commitment to creating new productions and bringing new stories to life, Alberta Ballet Foundation also supports:

  • Opening Doors to Excellence – At Alberta Ballet School, 61 students received scholarships to pursue their passions for dance.

  • Inspiring Young Movers – Traveling throughout Alberta, we’ve introduced the joy of ballet to 1,000 youth in 8 communities from Chateh to Medicine Hat.

  • Breaking Down Barriers – Through partnerships with 40 community organizations throughout Alberta.

This impact is based on 2024/25 activity.

Thanks to sustaining support from Alberta Ballet Foundation, Alberta Ballet is steadily building on this progress in 2025/26.

Alfred Sorensen
Chair
Alberta Ballet Foundation

Paul Chambers
Executive Director
Alberta Ballet Foundation

  • Barbara A. Palmer - Principal Donor

    Alfred Sorensen - Principal Donor

    Anonymous (4)

    A. Joni Hughes

    Adrian Jones

    Aggie Mikulski

    Andal Family Fund at Calgary Foundation

    Andrea Brussa

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ALBERTA BALLET DONORS 2025/26

The Winter Gala is a night of shared celebration, and we’re honoured to share this vibrant moment with you. Together, we’re building the next chapter of ballet, shaped by the talents of our company and our school and lifted by your generosity. Thank you for your support. Alberta Ballet is stronger because you stand with us.

Dance Circle Membership $1,500

Patron Program $5,000 +

If you’re a passionate Alberta Ballet subscriber, consider taking part in our donor activities.

To learn more, please contact us at Gifts@AlbertaBallet.com.

  • $50,000+

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    Russell Varnam
    Strategic Charitable Giving
    Foundation - John & Megan Grace Fund
    Super Save Group
    The Memphis Group
    Thomas Fath
    Valerie Seaman
    Viewpoint Foundation

    $500 to $1,499

    Barbara & Michael Morin
    Betty Stein
    Brian Mills
    Callow & Associates Management Consultants Inc.
    Carl Cohen
    Christopher & Ingrid Eggertson
    Davin Macintosh
    Douglas & Laurie Strother
    Don Hobsbawn
    Elaine Gidluck
    Erin Lamb-Fauquier
    Frances Coward
    Helen Otto
    Jacqueline Walsh
    James & Allison Murphy
    Joanne Bakker
    John & Sheilagh Langille
    Kathy Wright
    Lana Bistritz
    Laura Graham
    Laurel Mckay
    Leona Gibb
    Linda K. Crawford
    M. Trotter
    Maria Binnion
    Martin Merritt
    Mary Rosza de Coquet
    Nancy Knowlton
    Nancy Scrymgeour
    Patricia Seamans
    Penny Lazarick
    Renate Palmer
    Richard & Mary Shaw
    Richard Mah
    Ronald & Carole Middleton
    Ruth Cross Foundation
    Sandra Clarkson
    Sarah Krotz
    Shirine Lund
    Shirley Mercer
    Sheila Watson
    Sue Heuman
    Susan Ditchburn
    Susan J. Tyrell
    Victoria Mckinnon

  • Anonymous

    Alberta Ballet Foundation

    Benevity

    Calgary Foundation

    CanadaHelps.org

    Edmonton Community Foundation

    Fabbrici Foundation for the Arts

    GiftFunds Canada

    Heather Bala Edwards Foundation

    Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by Altalink

    Seaver Family Flow Through Fund and the Calgary Foundation

    Viewpoint Foundation

    Baker Tilly Catalyst

    Palmer Family Foundation

    Farrell Engineering Sales Inc.

    Osten-Victor Fund

    Callow & Associates Management Consultants Inc.

    AltaLink, A Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company

  • $1,500

    Adrian Jones
    Aggie Mikulski
    Alan & Geri Moon
    Alfred Sorensen
    Alfredo Martin
    Amber Denise Leeson
    Andrea Brussa
    Andrew & Alison Love
    Ann Calvert
    Ann Falk
    Ann McCaig
    Anne Marie Toutant
    Annie McKitrick
    Annie Freeze
    Arliss Miller
    Bob Willows
    Bradford Musgrove Family
    Brenda Nugent
    C. Giannoulis-Stuart
    C. J. de Jong
    Carol Larsen & John Masters
    Charlene O’Fee
    Cheri Diane Boyle
    Chris & Elizabeth Bourassa
    Christopher & Ingrid Eggertson
    CNL Resources Ltd.
    Colleen Hartley
    Corinne Bleakley & Lindsay Williams
    Craig & Valerie Johnstone
    Crystal L. B. Willie
    Darin H. Grisdale
    Daryl Fridhandler
    David & Violet Todd
    David Andrew Howarth
    David Haigh & Dawn Riley
    Dianne Grant
    Dorothy Woolstencroft
    Erica McBeth & Darwin Smith
    Eileen Jones & Nicole Jones
    Ethel Nakano & Peter Stapleton
    Farrell Engineering
    Frank Molnar & Anna Maria Marroco
    Focus Communications
    Gail O’Reilly
    Garry and Ruth Ramsden-Wood
    Geoffrey Mar
    George & Colleen Bezaire
    Georgina Clark
    Gerard McInnis
    Gina Pylatuik
    Gordon Sombrowski & Kevin Allen
    Heather Bourne
    Heather Klimchuk
    Heather Rae
    Helen Drebit
    Hope Smith
    Ingrid Vicas
    Jack & Donna Newton
    J’Adore Dance
    James & Allison Murphy
    James Silvius
    Jana Neal
    Jane McCaig & Richard Waller
    Janice Heard & Bruce McFarlane
    Jennifer & Torval Mork
    Jill A. Strueby
    Joan Bedard
    Joanne Graham & Ian Laxdal
    Joanne Stalinski
    Jocelyn Beckett
    John & Barbara Feldberg
    John & Sheilagh Langille
    John & Susan Hokanson
    John C. Bonnycastle
    Joni Hughes
    Joni Rynsburger
    Jose-Carlos Herrero & Nicole Herrero-Langlais
    Julia Boberg
    Kathy J. McMillan
    Katie A. Hayes
    Keith & Cindy O’Neill
    Kelly Bourassa
    Kerri & Sean Barr
    Kevin Stecyk
    Kristine Eidsvik
    Laura Connolly
    Laurie Bayda
    Leona Gibb
    Leslie Ann O’Leary
    Leslie & Gerald Giacomelli
    Leslie Dort
    Leslie Pidcock
    Lindsay Walsh & David Maclean
    Liz Anne Tonken
    Lynn & Vern Hult
    Margo L. LaValley
    Marguerite Paulsen
    Melanie Houley
    Melissa Cook
    Melissa Padfield
    Michael & Natasha Simaeys
    Mike Grovue
    Mitch & Susanne Williams
    Mona & Scott Rose
    Monique Courcelles
    Nadine Reynolds
    Nicole & Lance Yanke
    Noel Papadopoulos
    Noel Xavier
    Northern Timber Corp
    Pamela FitzGerald
    Patricia Culver
    Patricia Seamans
    Peggy Garritty
    Penelope Weir
    Richard & Aurora Musto
    Rita Tripathy & Murray Coleman
    Robert & Jean Ann Rooney
    Rod and Betty Wade
    Roderick & Jean McKay
    Roger Mapp
    Ronald & Carole Middleton
    Roxanne McCaig
    Ruben & Heather Nelson
    Sandy Evans
    Sarah Palmer
    Sharon Martens
    Sharon McNaughton
    Sheila Watson
    Shelley Smith
    Shep Secter
    Susan E. Andrews
    Terrie Faber
    Tricia Leadbeater
    Valerie & Tony Barlott
    Valerie Macleod
    Valerie Obligacion
    Veronica Prokop & Peter Andrekson
    Victoria Johnston & Gregory McLeod
    Vivian Manasc
    Walter & Irene DeBoni
    Wendy Gnenz
    Yolanda Van Wachem

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A whole community is working behind-the-scenes,
helping us inspire you with dance!

  • Chair
    Heather Rae, HRJ Consulting (Calgary)

    Vice Chairs
    Sarah Palmer, LL.B., ICD.D (Calgary)
    Heather Klimchuk, MacEwan University (Edmonton)

    Corporate Secretary
    Frank Molnar, Field Law (Calgary)

    Treasurer
    Jana Neal, SFG Investments (Calgary)

  • Denise Clarke, One Yellow Rabbit (Calgary)

    Peggy Garritty, PG Communications Ltd. (Edmonton)

    Wendy Gnenz, MNP (Edmonton)

    Agnieszka (Aggie) Mikulski, TIPP Consulting (Edmonton)

    Melissa Padfield, University of Alberta (Edmonton)

    Noël Papadopoulos, Papas Group (Edmonton)

    Jeannie Rooney, Naysmith Law (Calgary)

    Jill Strueby, MNP Ltd. (Calgary)

    Bob Willows, Willows Construction (2001) Ltd. (Winfield)

    Noel Xavier, Edmonton Community Foundation (Edmonton)

  • CHAIR/PRESIDENT
    Alfred Sorensen

    SECRETARY/TREASURER
    Peter Stapleton

    DIRECTOR
    Heather Rae

    DIRECTOR
    Jana Neal

    DIRECTOR
    Joni Hughes

    DIRECTOR
    Rita Tripathy

    DIRECTOR
    George Bezaire

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2025)

2025/26 GOVERNMENT FUNDERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS

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