Calgary Regional Ballet

Take a look at the Summer Intensive daily classes: * Body Preparation and Muscular Balancing: A favorite of new students. * Ballet Technique and Placement: This is where the transformation happens. * Choreography and Improvisation: A rotation between different genres each day (contemporary, jazz, neoclassical, hip hop) ... * Placement Reinforcement and Warm-down: To speed up technical progress and increase mobility DM or email [email protected] for audition information

Take a look at the Summer Intensive daily classes! * Body Preparation and Muscular Balancing: A favorite of new students. * Ballet Technique and Placement: This is where the transformation happens. * Choreography and Improvisation: A rotation between different genres each day (contemporary, jazz, neoclassical, hip hop) ... * Placement Reinforcement and Warm-down: To speed up technical progress and increase mobility DM or email [email protected] for audition information

Dancers, how are your feet doing? Not enough mobility, too much mobility, reoccurring pain? If so, read on and book an appointment to have your feet assessed. Another before & after. This dancer was in severe ankle pain (with multiple points of pain) on a daily basis, even when walking. Physiotherapy alone was not able to provide the pain relief needed or increase mobility. These results were achieved in about 5 months by retraining the way this student uses turnout, ...and by following a specific foot protocol Miss Melissa has developed over the last 8 years. Even with less than average natural mobility in the ankle, she was still able to achieve a significant increase in range and strength, all while allowing the foot to heal. No break from training was taken. Her daily pain is gone, even while dancing. The best part is that we do not consider this the final after. She still has some additional range to uncover (which CANNOT be forced) and by sticking with this process, her body will continue to heal further. The left foot began much more damaged than the right (shown in picture 3) but will continue to catch up. See more

Guaranteed. Yes, we are backing our program with a guarantee and are thrilled to be offering world-class technique training in Calgary this summer. Class sizes will be limited to 4 students each, providing a month of individual instruction in a semi-private setting. This will allow for effective social distancing. In addition to the central focus of the workshop (engineering our bodies for the most effective ballet technique) students will also learn daily choreography in a m...ix of genres. Camp runs: July 6th-31st Include the following in a direct message or click the link in bio to audition. Students must be at least 11 years of age to participate in the summer training. Please Submit: 1. A brief video of pli and tendu (include devant, derrire, and la seconde) exercises shown both en face and directly profile. 2. A solo video clip from a competition or performance, any genre. 3. Information on previous dance training, date of birth, and contact information of parent/guardian.

Website updates are published! Link in bio. A big thank you to @amy.j.gardner for the beautiful video work. Film editing by @melissabrewertond

Small improvements daily lead to stunning results Robin Sharma Keep going dancers! Take pics and log your progress so you can go back and see how much you have improved. Have the discipline to do the little things daily, even when you dont feel like it. Rest when you need, and take care of yourself. And please remember, I am here to help through this tough time, even for dancers not attending CRB (see a few posts back). With love, Miss Melissa

The full before and after! Our previous post demonstrated a before and after progress pic of one of our students. The before picture was actually more of a midpoint, after she was already in the process of changing her technique with CRB. The photo you see here demonstrates her placement in January, at the actual beginning of working with us. Swipe right to see beginning, middle, and end photos side-by-side! Between January and March the student made countless changes to ...her placement, training hours, cross training, stretching routines etc. Between March and April, she persisted with what was working and the technique continued to do its job, day after day, little by little, creating this lovely transformation without the student realizing just how much she had accomplished until we looked back Safety note: this change was NOT accomplished through stretching. In fact, the student reduced the amount she was stretching as part of the process to achieve this. Her knees also stay to the side when she straightens her legs. Always be safe! See more

Progress during online training: We were fortunate to meet this student about two months before Covid caused the closure of studios! The picture on the left is Olivias Demi pli on March 19 and the right is her Demi pli on April 17th after training daily online in small groups with Miss Melissa. They are screenshots taken while moving. (Yes, her knees are bent in the second picture theyre just so open now its starting to create the illusion that they are straighter when p...hotographed directly from the side) While training online has been challenging and required a lot of discipline, it has not slowed this student down! Her placement has improved so much causing significant changes in her musculature, strength and mobility. It is easy to see increased strength and use of the core, very different development of the upper and lower back, more open across the shoulders, lovely lift through the body and most noticeably, a drastic improvement of turnout. Well done, Olivia! See more

I realize, at this challenging time, students may be feeling confused and overwhelmed with how to manage their training with prolonged physical isolation. Training oneself is difficult, which is why dancers have teachers and coaches through their entire careers. While CRB has an online training program in place for our students, we would like to do what we can, by supporting additional dancers throughout province. Calgary Regional Ballet will be providing online sessions for... committed dancers who would like help, from a specialized ballet teacher, in creating their own at-home training routine that is customized to their personal dance/technique goals. This assistance will be free of charge as COVID-19 has prohibited work for so many families. We are all united in our passion for dance. The online training will be 1.5 hour long sessions in a group of 1-3 students using Zoom online meetings. Students will get to work directly with me to construct their training program based on their live assessment and individual dance goals. Specific training will be given to ensure the exercises are being executed as efficiently as possible. Students will then begin to use their routine independently with the option for a check-in! Acceptance numbers will have to be limited due to the training be individual. Students will be accepted to join a training session in the order we receive requests, age, and level of urgency. We also hope that this will provide an opportunity for dancers to connect with other dancers facing the same challenges and support each other through it. Requirements to sign up: -Minimum age of 13 years -Currently in a Pre-professional Ballet or Advanced Dance Program (5+ days per week in multiple genres) -Resident of Alberta, Canada -Parent/Guardian permission to participate (a release form will be sent when your appointment is scheduled) Please direct message Calgary Regional Ballets Instagram and provide: -Age -City of residence -Your parent/guardians Instagram handle and/or email address (to confirm permission) -A brief summary why this help would be important to you, your dance goals and some specifics of what you would like to work on.

Congratulations to CRB student Keely Zamiski for her beautiful classical performance and placing Top 12 Senior Contemporary at YAGP Salt Lake City this season. It was a pleasure to take you to your first YAGP competition. We are grateful to be part of your dance journey and are so proud of your mindset and work ethic over the last year and a half with us. Choreography: @amy.j.gardner Classical Technique teacher: @melissabrewertond

If you are a passionate artist wanting to share your knowledge with motivated students while working with a supportive team of dance professionals, we would love to hear from you! Calgary Regional Ballet is looking for two classical ballet teachers and two choreographers to join our wonderful teaching team. One of the classical positions will be granted to a newer teacher who desires to make a career of teaching and would like to be paid throughout a mentorship. ... Our second classical position will be given to an experienced professional with unique knowledge and/or detailed understanding of specific subjects or styles that fall within classical dance training (character, pas de deux, neoclassical style etc.) Choreographers, we want to see YOU. CRB students train both technically and stylistically for versatility so no matter your preferred genre, we would love to see your work. Direct Message CRB to inquire.

Foot. Made in Calgary. Photo by the talented @amy.j.gardner

A young ballet studnet, whose Dad was a medical doctor, once asked her teacher how to sew the ribbons on her pointe shoes. To that the teacher responded Your Dad can help you...If he can sew flesh he can sew pointe shoes. This is not that student. @keelyz.dancer can sew her own ribbons

Ballet gives to its pursuers purpose, strength, and a most beautiful way of both expressing and understanding ones self. Happy World Ballet Day

Welcome back dancers! @ Calgary, Alberta

We liked this picture so much it took weeks before anyone noticed that the beautifully elevated dancer has one arm twice as long as the other

Throwback to observing the morning class at the Royal Danish Ballet

Time in the studio goes faster and slower than anywhere else on earth. Three hours can feel like 45 minutes. Ten seconds can feel never ending.

When you are training, do you ever ask yourself or your teacher: What will happen to my technique/strength/flexibility/muscle balance/torso control if I execute a movement or position this way for the next six months? There is often the temptation to focus on short term impact (Eg. How arched can my feet appear to be in my pointe shoes TODAY? How high can I get my grande battement TODAY? What do I do to get my knees straighter RIGH...T NOW in this adagio?) Sometimes things have to look differently than you want in the short term, to allow your body to change, transform over the long term. This is difficult to do. It is a process. It takes patience and a teacher who knows how the body will change two weeks, one month, and nine months down the road based on placement of the body and progression of exercises. Just ask the students who were asked not to point the ends of their toes for two weeks while re-training battement tendu . In this photo: With work ethic and focus twice her age, this studnet was a joy to have at our summer intensive. Her technical focus was quality of the arabesque line rather than just height. Ease of height was a side effect of working on her placement. See more

EXCITING NEWS! We are thrilled to announce that the immensely talented Hee Seo (Veronica) will be joining our ballet teaching staff this fall! Miss Veronica recently moved to Calgary from Korea and has been teaching for over six years. Her extensive repertoire knowledge has been obtained over a lengthy professional career beginning back in 2009, performing in many classical works such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, La Bayadere, Romeo and Juliet, and Giselle in addition to others. Of all her talents and experience, Miss Veronicas rare ability to pass her knowledge to other dancers will be of greatest value to the CRB students. She possess a keen eye for detail, the crucial understanding of correct placement, and an inspiring classroom presence. Welcome to Calgary Regional Ballet, Veronica!

FREE WORKSHOP ALERT! Working for more flexibility? Better feet? Lighter extensions? There is a science to it. (And its not ramming your foot underneath your couch to increase your arch even though that can increase it temporarily #damage #footweakness #allegrokiller). Our expert instructor will help you understand your potential and give you skills to take with you. Join our FREE Flexibility & Technique mini-workshop. Aug. 5th-8th 6:00-7:30 each day. SE Calgary. DM or email [email protected] to register. Minimum age requirement is 11 yrs. Dance experience required. Geared for pre-professional and competitive student dancers. More info about picture #2 in comments. @ Calgary, Alberta

Beautiful progress of an arabesque line. This is a student who joined us for our summer intensive which focused heavily on understanding mobility and how correct core function can, over time, change extensions. The arabesque is higher than when she began, which is exciting. However, height alone does not produce a comparatively impressive arabesque for the pre-professional student. What we are most excited about is the change in the quality of the line. In addition, the student could achieve this height with a slow dvelopp then hold it nicely for an extended duration of time. We love the effortless nature in which this student can lift the leg and design her upper body. Beautiful work.

Every single dance season is an irreplaceable resource. Time we do not get back. 2019-2020 season is coming up! Choose training that matches your dreams @ Calgary, Alberta

Rond de jambe par terre practice (still switching back and forth between ballet shoes on and off to allow teachers to see more to watch for old injuries and poor technical habits creeping their way back in) Lots of controlled, deep strength being developed here

A favorite costume from this season, the Danish forest that inspired it, and a very good natured student patiently assisting with costume construction @ Humlebk, Frederiksborg, Denmark

We are thrilled to be having the lovely @danelle_m_tucker joining us as a guest instructor for our summer intensive running July 2nd-26th. Danelle will be teaching a series of special subjects each week during the intensive. She has a wealth of experience to share with aspiring dancers and is wonderful to be around. Here is a bit about Danelle: Calgary born and raised Danelle Marie Tucker is a recently retired Professional Baller...ina formally with Ballet Tucson in Tucson, Arizona, USA where she signed her first professional contract at only 18 years old. Danelle received her Post Graduate training from the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before moving to Arizona. Prior to her move to the USA, she trained at Edge School for Athletes-Professional Dance Program in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She was honored to be awarded the schools top "Athletic Achievement Award" in her grade 12 year which was a huge honor to be recognized for her athletic efforts and achievements, amongst some of her classmates who are noteworthy athletes in the spotlight today. Memorable performances include performing George Balanchines Serenade as first cast, "La Sylphide" as well as "The Nutcracker" with The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Alberta Ballet. She also performed in La Bayadere, Carmen, The Nutcracker and many other works with Ballet Tucson.She also performed with the Moscow Ballets "Romeo and Juliet". Danelle was afforded the opportunity to perform in principle roles such as the Sugar Plum fairy, Snow Queen & Arabian Princess in "The Nutcracker" as well as performed in "Coppelia", & "Les Sylphides" with Jeunesse Classique Ballet in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Danelle has also enjoyed several summers traveling the world to train at top companies such as the infamous Paris Opera Ballet, Boston Ballet x2, American Ballet Theatre, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Alberta Ballet x3 and with contemporary specialist, Josh Beamish of Canada....(cont. in comments) See more

Before& After! Join our FREE Flexibility and technique workshop starting TODAY and running everyday from 4:30-5:45 through Friday the 14th. Its a perfect way to end the busy dance season! Dancers will join our director, Miss Melissa, for an in-depth study of mobility, technique, and the common myths/misunderstandings concerning flexibility. Dancers will have the opportunity to recoup & "warm-down" in a relaxed and fun environment focusing on one of Miss Melissas favorite... subjects: How to increase flexibility without constant over-stretching. Come discover how flexible you really are! The before and after pics are examples of what happens within the workshop. The foot example pictures were taken only 15 min apart with NO external force (foot stretcher, instructor pushing in the top of the foot etc) The second picture of the increased range of the middle split was done with no leg stretching with the before and after picture being taken one hour apart. This is an annual complimentary mini-workshop offered to dancers 11+ More info through link in bio. Sign up today by texting your info to 587-583-7009 Dancers name, age, grade in school for 2019-2020 school year, guardian name, guardian email, years of dance completed with brief details including hours per weeks and genres and the days which you can attend. See you there! See more

And the winner is.... @indie.peace ! Four free tickets to A Season with Calgary Regional Ballet will be coming your way! We are happy to have you and some friends join us.

For another chance to win tickets to A Season with Calgary Regional Ballet, head over to @yycdad ! Enter the draw and get more ideas for fun activities with kids. Only a few more days until the performance! We are looking forward to providing this experience for parents and their children.

GIVEAWAY @theyycmom and CRB are giving away tickets to the upcoming performance, A Season with Calgary Regional Ballet on June 7th. To enter the draw: Follow @calgaryregionalballet and @theyycmom then Tag a friend you would like to bring to the performance-each tag is an entry. Winner receives 4 tickets. Event details: For a magical family evening join Calgary Regional Ballet for an enchanting ballet of the four seasons. Thi...s performance was specially designed for young theatre-goers. Audience members will receive an inside look at how ballet dancers train and prepare for performance with an interactive Q&A, costume discovery, and more! All ages are welcome at this family friendly event. Best suited for ages 5+ Friday, June 7th 6:30pm Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge-BMO Theatre 11300 Rocky Ridge Rd NW, Calgary Tickets available through link in bio

A special opportunity for young children: The beautiful Hee Seo will be joining us as a guest artist in our performance next week. Bring your family to the theatre and enjoy a stunning performance created especially for young audiences. Ticket link in bio.

Summer intensive, complimentary try-us-out workshop, and school year training information now up on the website! More updates to come.

Congratulations to @sydneyballerina for placing in the top 10 senior soloists for her contemporary piece at Candance competition. Beautiful work. Choreography: @melissabrewertond

Its the end of competitive performing for the season and the dancer are feeling strong, vibrant, and healthy despite their rigorous schedule. Time for a restful weekend away from the studio before we start the next project! On Friday, June 7th at the Shane Homes YMCA BMO theatre the dancers will be presenting A Season with Calgary Regional Ballet visit link in bio to reserve a ticket!

Always a privilege to be back stage with my wonderful students.