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

The Winter Gala
Creative Team

Alberta Ballet Dancers

The Winter Gala
Alberta Ballet School Casting

Alberta Ballet Artistic Team

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.

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

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.

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

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2025)

2025/26 GOVERNMENT FUNDERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS