Bridge & Prof Training Brochure

Professional Training Program & Post-Secondary Bridge Program Victoria · British Columbia · Canada I came from Japan two years ago to Victoria Academy of Ballet’s Bridge program, to improve my technique, musicality, and artistic expression. The teachers were wonderful and I learned so much. As a Bridge student I had lots of performance experience with Ballet Victoria and I learned about the professional world of dance. I am now an apprentice with Ballet Victoria and strongly recommend the academy to anyone wanting a professional dance career. — Risa Kobayashi Bridge Program graduate 2011, currently with Ballet Victoria company The Victoria Academy of Ballet provides students with the necessary foundation to embark on a career in professional dance. Our strong curriculum, outstanding faculty, and personal attention to each student define our academy. The Academy develops versatile dancers with focus, an inquiring intellect, strong self- confidence, and an outstanding work ethic. Do you have the courage, determination, and passion to become the dancer you dream to be? 1 Professional Training Program Our Professional Training Program provides talented, serious dancers (ages 12–18) with an intensive program coordinated with their academic schooling. Through cooperative planning with designated secondary schools, students attend our dance classes from 2:30 pm to 7 pm, allowing time for homework and other activities. The Cecchetti-based curriculum develops students’ musicality, technical proficiency, and artistic sensitivity. Classes include ballet, pointe, repertoire, contemporary, jazz, Pilates, dance history, anatomy, and nutrition. Students regularly participate in Cecchetti exams and competitions, consistently achieving outstanding results. Students are nurtured in an atmosphere of encouragement and dedication to excellence, with personalized programs and coaching. Faculty and support staff form a dedicated, energetic, and caring team developing the personal potential of each dancer. Those selected (through our audition process) join a talented group of dedicated dancers with extraordinary self-discipline, drive, and passion for the arts. Students are assessed each term in a comprehensive manner including written reports and personal interviews. Students perform in the annual showcase, which highlights their progress and success in competitions, exams, and performing arts festivals. Students benefit from live piano accompaniment in all ballet classes, sprung floors, and world-class physiotherapy care. 2 Of all the studios that I’ve attended throughout the years, I had the warmest welcome at Victoria Academy of Ballet. The other students were very open to having a new classmate and made me feel very accepted. The academy also has the highest quality instruction I’ve ever experienced. — Sharon Chau 3 The Bridge Program with Ballet Victoria Our Bridge Program is designed to complete the gap between formal training and the professional world. Students work with respected choreographers, explore varied methods of the choreographic process, watch guest artists perform, and work to perfect technique — giving them the best possible foundation for professional dance. The collaborative partnership with Ballet Victoria provides a unique opportunity for dedicated, post-secondary students who wish to pursue a career in professional dance. The demanding two-year Bridge Program continues the necessary training in classical ballet with renowned teachers, while experiencing the daily routine of a professional company. Each weekday, Bridge Program students participate in company classes and rehearsals with Ballet Victoria. Following that, they train to develop a strong technical foundation in classical ballet, pointe, and variations, as well as modern and contemporary styles. Students also study anatomy, nutrition, dance history, Pilates, and career planning. At the discretion of the Artistic Director of Ballet Victoria, students may have an opportunity to take on corps roles in Ballet Victoria’s current season, allowing for invaluable professional performance experience. Further experience is achieved through touring communities throughout BC. 4 I love the small classes and the individual attention I receive during every class. It is an amazing and unique opportunity to train full time with such accomplished and knowledgeable teachers, while working so closely with a professional company at the same time! — Samantha Doyle Bridge Program current student 5 6 Bleiddyn Bellis head of school Ms Bellis received her formative training from Christine Richardson, Cecchetti Fellow and Examiner. Her professional experience has included working with renowned choreographers such as Mark Godden, John Alleyne, Serge Bennathan, and Jean Grand Maitre. At Ballet Jorgen, she was mentored and coached by the late Dr Arnold Spohr, Artistic Director Emeritus of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. She has performed a wide range of both classical and neo-classical repertoire ranging from such diverse styles as Balanchine, romantic classics, and new contemporary works. She was a faculty member at Arts Umbrella in Vancouver before moving to the UK, in 2003. In England she taught for Liverpool Theatre School and Kate Simmons Schools before joining the Hammond School in Chester. There she choreographed for the Senior School’s touring company, and established the Cecchetti method within the professional school’s curriculum. She was a frequent guest teacher for the British Ballet Organization, Northern Scholars, the Cecchetti Northern Associates of the UK, and “Dancing Days” (BBO), Elmhust. She has guest taught for the RWB (SDI), Ballet BC, Ballet Victoria, and Random Dance (UK). She is a Fellow with the Cecchetti Society of Canada, and holds the prestigious Enrico Cecchetti Final Diploma. Her former students are currently working around the world in companies such as English National Ballet (UK), Dresden Semperoper Ballet (Germany), and Karlsruhe State Theatre of Baden (Germany), as well as with Matthew Bourne (UK), and in London’s West End Musical Theatre productions. 7 I think I can speak for all the students in saying that having Mr Pronger at the school is an amazing experience. He is very inspiring and always pushes all of us to do our best. It’s really exciting to have someone from another country come and give us an idea on how ballet is taught and viewed in different parts of the world. Mr Pronger is very charismatic, energetic, and his classes are always fun. We are very glad he has come to our school and we hope he is enjoying it here, as much as we enjoy having him as a teacher. — Sema-May Hamidi, Professional Training Program current student 8 Andrew Pronger Deputy head & bridge program director Following his studies at the Australian Ballet School in Melbourne, Mr Pronger worked under teacher Janice Heale, completing all Cecchetti Major Examinations including the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma. Throughout his professional career, he has supported the Cecchetti Society as a guest teacher, choreographer, performer, and adjudicator. From 1992 to 1996, Mr Pronger danced with The Queensland Ballet. He performed a diverse selection of the Company’s repertoire from classics such as Giselle to new contemporary works. Mr Pronger also had the opportunity to dance with Australian Ballet on a number of occasions, and worked with many notable figures of Australia’s dance including Kelvin Coe, Garth Welch, Lucette Aldous, and Valrene Tweedie. Following his years at Queensland Ballet, Mr Pronger broadened his horizons to a variety of dance styles through his work with the Australian Folkloric Dance Company, Toadshow Productions (Glamalot – Knights in White Satin), and Pointeblank Productions (Dare to Dance) for the Queensland Arts Council’s School Touring Program. He was the Principal of River City Dance in Brisbane (1997–2011). He completed his MFA at Queensland University, and has been the State Organiser for the Cecchetti Society of Australia – Queensland Branch, organizing workshops, competitions, and examination sessions. Mr Pronger’s outstanding and inspirational teaching has contributed to many of his students establishing professional dance careers internationally. 9 Ballet Victoria Ballet Victoria, the city’s premier dance company, thrives under the artistic direction of Paul Destrooper, and has received both national and international accolades. This unique partnership between Victoria Academy of Ballet and Ballet Victoria allows students to participate directly in the exciting world of professional dance. Selected students are given performance opportunities with the company, and younger students enjoy a glimpse of professional dancers during daily rehearsals. Bridge students are immersed in daily life with the company. Ballet Victoria proudly produces major works including innovative full-length ballets, established works by world- renowned choreographers such as Balanchine and Petipa, and new creations by B Monk, S Hounsell, S Cassini, and P Destrooper. I used muscles I never even thought I had, began to feel more in control, and my technique and musicality improved dramatically in the two years that Ms Bellis trained me. From her training method and her ongoing encouragement and support, my confidence grew. — Joanne Thwaite, English National Ballet 10 Ballet Victoria Director Paul Destrooper Paul Destrooper joined Ballet Victoria as Artistic Director in 2007. Under his guidance, the company quickly gained local and national attention. Ballet Victoria is now a cultural

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