A Message from the Artistic Director

FRANCESCO VENTRIGLIA | Artistic Director

The Winter Gala 2025: A Celebration of Community and Artistry

As the Artistic Director of Alberta Ballet, it is with immense joy and gratitude that I welcome you to The Winter Gala, our cherished annual tradition. This special evening has been thoughtfully crafted to celebrate who we are as an organization and to express our heartfelt thanks to you, our beloved community.

I find myself reflecting on how quickly this event has grown into a testament to our identity and aspirations within the world of ballet. Following the remarkable success of last year’s gala, it is especially meaningful to see how this occasion has become a celebration of both the present and future of our arts organization.

Tonight, we proudly showcase the incredible talent of 100 Alberta Ballet School students, shining brightly on stage under the guidance of Ashley McNeil and our dedicated faculty. Their passion and commitment remind us of the importance of nurturing the next generation of dancers who will carry our legacy forward.

We are also thrilled to feature performances from our company artists, presenting iconic works that have never before been staged by Alberta Ballet. This evening is not just about performance; it’s about artistry and the connections we create through dance.

A highlight of the evening will be the breathtaking and joyous Les Grand Pas de Deux, choreographed by the extraordinary Christian Spuck, Artistic Director of Staatsballett Berlin. It is truly remarkable to have Christian travel to Canada to collaborate directly with our dancers, bringing this beautiful ballet to life for The Winter Gala. We are deeply honoured to work with one of the greatest choreographers of his generation, Maestro Spuck.

We are also excited to present DEA, a creation by Maria Konrad, the talented choreographer and director of the Second Ballet Company in Nashville. At Alberta Ballet, we believe in providing space for new creators, fostering innovation and creativity. We aspire to be a catalyst for talent, ensuring that fresh voices like Maria’s are heard and celebrated.

I have also had the privilege of working on a new creation, BOLÉRO, with our dancers, which we will present alongside the magnificent Raymonda Act III. Additionally, our school will feature a performance set to Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, choreographed by Ashley McNeil, Aram Manukyan, and myself. Each piece represents our commitment to artistic excellence and innovation.

As we embark on this evening, I assure you it promises to be unforgettable. I am excited, delighted, and profoundly proud to share this experience with you. Together, we look forward to a wonderful 2025 for Alberta Ballet and for each of you who have supported us on this journey.

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 Winter Gala!

FRANCESCO VENTRIGLIA
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Programme & Casting

Act One

Défilé du Ballet
A mesmerizing showcase that places 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 not only the highest level of classical ballet technique but also 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.

The Handover School to Company, set to the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Overture 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: Edmund Stripe, Ashley McNeil
MUSIC: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Performed by the Students of Alberta Ballet School

Raymonda Act III
A glittering celebration of love and unity, Raymonda Act III is a crowning jewel of classical ballet. This grand wedding scene showcases the virtuosic choreography of Marius Petipa, set to Alexander Glazunov’s sweeping and majestic score.

The act unfolds with opulent elegance, as Raymonda and her beloved Jean de Brienne are joined in a lavish ceremony surrounded by friends and nobles. Rich in Hungarian-inspired character dances and technically demanding variations, the act highlights the dancers’ precision, grace, and strength.

Raymonda Act III is a breathtaking display of classical ballet’s grandeur, featuring intricate patterns, harmonious ensembles, and a dazzling array of solos and duets that celebrate the art form’s timeless beauty.

CHOREOGRAPHY: Marius Petipa
MUSIC: Alexander Glazunov

Performed by Alberta Ballet Artists

Raymonda | Luna Sasaki
Jean de Brienne |
Lang Ma
Pas de Quatre |
Caleb Durbin, Federico Vitali, Emmanuel López, Michael Scott-Kahans
Solo Woman |
Hotaru Maruyama
Trio Women |
Hinata Takahara, Chizuru Kikuchi, Paloma Bonnin
Corps de Ballet |
Zara Bailey, Paloma Bonnin, Victoria Bourassa, Caleb Durbin, Ryhs Hudson, Seira Iwamoto, Chizuru Kikuchi, Rikuto Kutoba, Emmanuel López Martinez, Hotaru Maruyama, Mirko Melandri, Allison Perhach, Michael Scott-Kahans, Hinata Takahara, Federico Vitali, Dylan West

Les Grand Pas de Deux

Playful, whimsical, and brimming with charm, Le Grand Pas de Deux is a delightful twist on classical ballet conventions. Choreographed by the world-renowned Christian Spuck and set to the lively overture of Rossini’s The Thieving Magpie, this work blends virtuosic technique with humor and theatrical flair.

This evening is made even more extraordinary by the presence of Christian Spuck himself, who will be in the audience—a great honour for us all. His vision, brought to life on stage, takes center stage while his presence reminds us of the global significance of his artistry.

A spirited satire of the traditional pas de deux, Le Grand Pas de Deux turns the spotlight on the often overly dramatic nature of ballet, inviting audiences to laugh and revel in its exaggerated elegance. With its tongue-in-cheek humour and dazzling choreography, this lighthearted yet masterful celebration of ballet’s artistry and wit promises an unforgettable experience.

CHOREOGRAPHY: Christian Spuck
MUSIC: Gioacchino Rossini (Overture to The Thieving Magpie)
COSTUME DESIGN: Nicole Krahl

Performed by Alberta Ballet Artists Alexandra Hughes and Yaroslav Khudych

Act Two

DEA
DEA is a contemporary ballet choreographed by Maria Konrad, renowned for her ability to blend classical ballet with modern influences. The piece explores themes of femininity, strength, and divine power, centered around the concept of a goddess who embodies both vulnerability and empowerment.

Through dynamic movement and emotional depth, DEA invites the audience to engage with its powerful narrative. Konrad’s signature style combines fluid, intricate choreography with a compelling thematic focus, making DEA a captivating work that resonates on both artistic and emotional levels.

CHOREOGRAPHY: Maria Konrad
MUSIC: Karen LeFrak. World Premiere: Youth America Grand Prix 25th Anniversary Gala, April 18, 2024, David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, New York City. Music Licensing provided by NAXOS and Universal Music Canada.
COSTUME DESIGN: Penelope Williams
PROJECTION DESIGN: April Wexelman, Brianna Amore, Musashi Alvarez

Performed by Alberta Ballet Artists Yaroslav Khudych and Jolie Rose Lombardo

The Four Seasons
A journey through the rhythm of time, The Four Seasons is a ballet that celebrates the beauty and power of nature’s cycles. Set to Antonio Vivaldi’s iconic composition, this masterpiece brings each season to life with distinct choreography that captures its essence.

Spring bursts forth with renewal and vitality, summer radiates warmth and passion, autumn swirls in a kaleidoscope of colors and transitions, and winter moves with serene elegance and quiet strength. Through dynamic movement, vibrant energy, and poetic grace, the ballet weaves a narrative of change, resilience, and eternal renewal.

Rich in emotion and artistry, The Four Seasons is a captivating experience that mirrors the ebb and flow of life itself, reminding us of nature’s enduring beauty and transformative power.

CHOREOGRAPHY: Ashley McNeil, Aram Manukyan, Francesco Ventriglia
PRODUCED BY: Ashley McNeil
MUSIC: Antonio Vivaldi

Performed by the Students of Alberta Ballet School, with lead roles performed by Alberta Ballet Artists Seira Iwamoto and Kurtis Grimaldi

BOLÉRO

BOLÉRO, a ballet set to the enchanting music of Maurice Ravel, with adaptations by Massimo Margaria. This work delves into the challenges of human communication and the deep yearning to connect with one another.

Inspired by the metaphysical art of Giorgio de Chirico, BOLÉRO creates a dreamlike space that reflects our feelings of isolation and our desperate search for connection. Through movement and expression, the dancers embody the tension and desire inherent in our interactions.

CHOREOGRAPHY: Francesco Ventriglia
MUSIC: Maurice Ravel featuring Massimo Margaria
COSTUME DESIGN: Gianluca Falaschi

Performed by Alberta Ballet Artists Aaron Anker, Zachary Boresow, Kurtis Grimaldi, Alexandra Hughes, Seira Iwamoto, Yaroslav Khudych, Jolie Rose Lombardo, Mirko Melandri, Allison Perhach


INTERMEZZO

Calgary
Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009: 1. Prélude
COMPOSER: Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by: Porter Allred

Edmonton
Cello Suite No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1007: 1. Prélude
COMPOSER: Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by: Dongkyun An

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, which is a ballet section from the opera La Gioconda, this finale is a musical masterpiece. Each will couple 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

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, making his debut as a soloist in William Forsythe’s In The Middle, Somewhat Elevated at La Scala in 1998, and in 1999 was cast as the Bronze Idol by Natalia Makarova in her production of La Bayadere. ​

    ​He danced numerous soloist and principal roles with the company, including that of the Toreador in Roland Petit’s Carmen and Quasimodo in Notre Dame de Paris and also works by Nureyev, Balanchine, 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. ​

    In 2010, he was appointed as Europe's youngest Artistic Director by the Florence Opera House at the age of 32, where he held the role as Artistic Director and principal choreographer 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. Designed by triple Academy Award winner James Acheson, the production was both a critical and box office success. Reviewed as his ‘Love letter to New Zealand’, the production was hailed as a ‘splendid and triumphant’ production.​ 

    From January 2018, Ventriglia was adjunct Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Uruguay, Ballet Nacional Sodre alongside Igor Yebra. From 2020 to 2024, Ventriglia established himself in Sydney and co-founded the Sydney Choreographic Centre and Ensemble. In January 2024, Ventriglia was appointed Artistic Director of Alberta Ballet. In September of 2024, he premiered his version of La Sylphide after August Bournonville, as his first full-length production for the company.

    Ventriglia is also 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.

  • Christian Spuck comes from Marburg and was trained at the John Cranko School in Stuttgart. He began his dance career with Jan Lauwers’ Needcompany and Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker’s Ensemble Rosas. In 1995, he became a member of the Stuttgart Ballet and served as the company’s resident choreographer from 2001 to 2012. In Stuttgart, he created 15 world premieres and worked with numerous renowned ballet companies in Europe and the USA as the Royal Ballet of Flanders, the Norwegian National Ballet Oslo, the Aalto Ballett Theater Essen, the Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal, the Czech National Ballet in Prague, Gauthier Dance at Theaterhaus Stuttgart and the Stuttgart Ballet.

    Spuck is also active in the field of opera. Gluck’s Orphée et Euridice at the Staatsoper Stuttgart (2009) was followed by Verdi’s Falstaff at the Staatstheater Wiesbaden (2010), Berlioz’s La Damnation de Faust (2014) and Wagner’s Der fliegende Holländer (2017) at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. 

    From 2012 to 2023, Spuck was director of Ballett Zürich. He created fifteen choreographies; some of them were also taken over by international companies such as the Norwegian National Ballet Oslo, the Stanislavski Theatre in Moscow, the Korean National Ballet in Seoul, the Bavarian State Ballet, the Adelaide Festival in Australia, the Het Nationale Oper & Ballet Amsterdam, the Finnish National Ballet Helsinki and the Staatsballett Berlin. His ballet Orlando premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow in 2021. 

    For his work, he received numerous prices and distinctions: The production Poppea//Poppea was voted one of the ten most successful dance productions worldwide by the magazine Dance Europe in 2010 and was awarded the German Theatre Prize DER FAUST in 2011 as well as the Italian Danza/DanzaAward. For Winterreise, he was awarded with the Prix Benois de la Danse 2019. In autumn 2019, he staged Das Mädchen
    mit den Schwefelhölzern
    (The Little Match Girl) by Helmut Lachenmann with Ballett Zürich, which was awarded “Production of the Year” by German magazine tanz and the company as “Company of the Year”. 

    Spuck has been appointed Artistic Director of Staatsballett Berlin since the 2023/24 season and created the dance piece Bovary after the novel Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert in his first season. The jury of the magazine tanz voted soloist Weronika Frodyma “Dancer of the Year” for the title role of Emma Bovary and the Staatsballett Berlin “Company of the Year 23/24” for its overall performance.

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

    Edmund 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.

  • Maria A. Konrad graduated from the A.W. Dreyfoos High School of the Arts in West Palm Beach and holds a BFA in Performing Arts from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her work Maestro was commissioned for the Mariinsky under the direction of Yuri Fateev. She was commissioned to set two works for the 2022 and 2023 International Nervi Festival in Italy which featured dancers from ABT Studio Company and Adji Cissisko (LINES) with the music of Karen LeFrak. Her work has been presented by Oklahoma City Ballet 2, Nashville Ballet 2, and the main company for Kansas City Ballet’s New Moves series.

    She spent three seasons with Philadelphia Ballet 2 for Dear
    Charlie
    , a world premiere of PHrentetic, which was a collaborative project with Mural Arts Society and Philadelphia musicians, and Behind
    the Stage Door
    with The Big Picture Society. Konrad’s choreography has been presented nationally at the Spoleto Festival, The Fringe Festival, Miami Dade Cultural Center, The Kravis Center, Next Generation Ballet and has collaborated with artistic organizations such as Palm Beach Symphony, Palm Beach Pops and Oklahoma Philharmonic. She choreographed Les Pêcheurs
    de Perles
    and Aida for Opera Tampa. 

    She was recognized by Youth America Grand Prix for “Outstanding Choreography”(2015, 2017) and ADCIBC Finals (2021). She received “Outstanding Choreographer” recognition for her body of work at the YAGP 2022 International Finals presented by POINTE magazine. She has been a guest teacher for institutions such as The Colorado Ballet School, Nashville Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, The Joffrey (Chicago), University of the Arts, The Art of Classical Ballet, Next Generation Ballet, St. Paul’s School, Burklyn Ballet, Florida Dance Festival, and Youth America Grand Prix. She has worked at both The Harid Conservatory and A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts. She served on the 2018 faculty at The International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. She is a judge and Master Teacher for YAGP. She serves as resident choreographer with The Next Generation Ballet (Dir. Philip Neal). She was a co-founder of Florida School for Dance Education. She has been a guest instructor for the fitness line Eleven with Venus Williams. She also hosts the series Barre Talk for So’Danca on YouTube where she chats, laughs, and loves with some of the biggest names in dance.

  • Marius Ivanovich Petipa, born Victor Marius Alphonse Petipa (1818-1901), was a French and Russian ballet dancer, pedagogue, and choreographer. He is considered to be one of the most influential ballet masters and choreographers in ballet history. From 1871 until 1903, he held the coveted title of Premier maître de ballet of the St. Petersburg Imperial Theatres, making him the Ballet Master and principal choreographer of the Imperial Ballet, today known as the Mariinsky Ballet. Throughout his illustrious lifetime, Petipa created over 50 ballets, most notably The
    Pharaoh’s Daughter
    (1862), Don
    Quixote
    (1869), La Bayadère (1877), Le Talisman (1889), The Sleeping Beauty (1890), The Nutcracker (choreographed jointly with Lev Ivanov) (1892), Le Réveil de Flore (1894), La Halte de cavalerie (1896), Raymonda (1898), Les Saisons (1900), and Les Millions d’Arlequin (1900).

    Petipa also revived a substantial number of works created by other choreographers, many of which would become the definitive editions of future productions. The most famous of Petipa’s revivals are Le Corsaire,
    Giselle, La Esmeralda, Coppélia, La Fille Mal Gardée
    (with Lev Ivanov), The
    Little Humpbacked Horse
    and Swan Lake (with Lev Ivanov).

  • Ashley McNeil’s early ballet training began in Owen Sound, Ontario under the tutelage of Eleanor Brennan, followed by attending National Ballet School. McNeil continued her training at The School of Dance, Ottawa, and Quinte Ballet School where she later graduated under the direction of Director Brian Scott and expert teacher Joyce Shietze.

    In 2004, McNeil joined the faculty of Alberta Ballet School to teach in the Professional Division. During this time, she also taught ballet students at the University of Calgary’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program. McNeil was mentored by renowned teachers and at the time Directors of Alberta Ballet School, Murray and Nancy Kilgour. Under Nancy Kilgour’s guidance and training, McNeil went on to receive her Fellowship designation from Cecchetti Canada. She also achieved the Enrico Cecchetti Final Diploma exam (the highest examination within the method). McNeil was a recipient of the Margaret Saul Scholarship and also Calgary’s Top 40 under 40 in 2015 for playing a critical leadership role in the launching of Alberta Ballet School dormitories and private academic school. In 2011, McNeil was promoted to Head of Junior School for the Professional Division, in 2013, Principal. In 2016, She became the Director of Alberta Ballet School.

    McNeil is on the board of examiners for Cecchetti Canada. She is also a jury member for Youth America Grand Prix and World Ballet Arts Competition and was a jury member for the final round of the Youth America Grand Prix 25th Anniversary season in New York. She has trained many students who have gone on to the world’s leading ballet companies including, San Francisco Ballet, Alberta Ballet, Spanish National Ballet, Japan National Ballet and more. McNeil’s insightful passion for teaching and training has helped lead Alberta Ballet School to become one of Canada’s top schools attracting talent from all over the world. 

  • Aram Manukyan began his ballet training at the National Choreography Academy in Yerevan, Armenia where he studied the Vaganova method under Hovhanes Xachikyan, Rafael Avnikyan and Maxim Martirosyan. He finished his training with a full scholarship to the Russian University of Theatre Arts in Moscow.

    Manukyan later returned to Armenia and danced with the Armenian National Ballet before taking a soloist position with two Ukrainian State Opera Ballet Theatres (Kharkiv and Donetsk). He would later dance principal and soloist roles with companies in Annapolis, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Sarasota.

    Manukyan was appointed the Artistic Director of the BGLV/Pennsylvania Youth Ballet in 2006. In 2007, he accepted a position as a lead ballet and character teacher at Alberta Ballet School. Manukyan was closely mentored by renowned Canadian teachers Murray and Nancy Kilgour, where he studied Pas de Deux Pedagogy and the Cecchetti Method. 

    With the launch of the Alberta Ballet II (now the Alberta Ballet Trainee program), Manukyan was appointed the program’s director. He is a jury member for many International Ballet Competitions, including being on the jury for the final round of the Youth America Grand Prix Competition. Manukyan’s in-depth knowledge of different methods of training from his international experience and education has led him to become a recognized master teacher that has taught all over the world. Many of his students have gone on to dance in the world’s top ballet companies.

  • Born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Brian Waldrep began his dance training at the age of seven with traditional Irish Step dancing and started studying ballet the following year. In 2003, Waldrep enrolled in the North Carolina School of the Arts under the tutelage of Kee Juan Han, Melissa Hayden, Anna-Marie Holmes, Nina Danilova, and Frank Smith. He was selected to join American Ballet Theatre’s Second Company in 2007 and toured nationally and internationally with ABT II for three years.

    In 2010, Waldrep joined Houston Ballet as an apprentice. He was promoted to the Corp de Ballet in 2011 and to the rank of Demi-Soloist in 2015, dancing several soloist and principal roles for the company. Waldrep’s 9-year career with Houston Ballet included works by Stanton Welch, Ben Stevenson, George Balanchine, Christopher Bruce, John Neumeier, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, and Jiri Kylian, among others. Waldrep graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts and Humanities from St. Edward’s University in 2016, balancing his studies with a professional ballet career at Houston Ballet.

    Waldrep’s background also includes a notable tenure as a soloist with the National Ballet of Uruguay in 2019; a company dancer with the Nashville Ballet in 2021 and 2022; and as a soloist with Ballet West in Salt Lake City for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. At the invitation of Francesco Ventriglia, Waldrep became a Rehearsal Director at Alberta Ballet in July of 2024.

  • 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 furthered his education at Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto. He has danced with American Repertory Ballet, Boston Ballet II, and Kansas City Ballet before joining Alberta Ballet in 2016.

    Throughout his career, he has captivated audiences with his remarkable interpretations of iconic roles. At Alberta Ballet, he has performed as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Albrecht in Giselle, and Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake. Now, as a Rehearsal Director, Sakurai brings his wealth of experience and insight to guide the next generation of dancers at Alberta Ballet.

Alberta Ballet Dancers

Alberta Ballet School
Casting

Alberta Ballet Artistic Team

  • After her fourteen-year career as a dancer with Alberta Ballet, Reilley transitioned into the role of Artistic Coordinator and has now been promoted to Rehearsal Director. She is excited to help behind the scenes and share the knowledge that she has gained while working with our organization.

    Originally born in Eatonville, WA, USA, Reilley trained at both Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle and at Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto. She joined Alberta Ballet as a dancer in 2008, and has since made Canada her home, becoming a dual citizen in 2019. Some of her most memorable roles with Alberta Ballet have been as Madame de Tourvel in Jean Grand-Maître’s Dangerous Liaisons, and Queen Anne in David Nixon’s Three Musketeers.

  • 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

Stage Manager | Marisa Mireau
Assistant Stage Manager | Cassidy Gallant
Co-Lighting Designers | Chris Axford, Oliver Petti
Pilates | Jo-Anne Bunbury / Calgary Pilates
Company Pianists | Marina Federov, Michael Levin,
Juanita Faas, Lorel Leal, Helena Barker

Production Team

Stage Technicians provided by IATSE Local 212

Technical Director | Jason McLellan
Lead Fly | Kevin Green
Lead Props | Christina Hantos
Second Props | Cassandra Thorbjornsen
Lead Lighting | Chris Axford
Second Lighting | Oliver Petti
Lead Sound and Multi-Media | Dan Plumtree
Second Wardrobe | Karen Crocker
Second Wardrobe/Stitcher | Erin LeBaron
Cutter | Anne Nguyen
Touring Wardrobe Supervisor | Michele Merrells

Up Next…

Our Winter Session runs from January 31 to June 6
Register today!

The Alberta Ballet Foundation
is proud to support

The Winter Gala

The Alberta Ballet Foundation congratulates our professional dancers and young students appearing together at The Winter Gala. The Foundation plays a vital role in ensuring both Alberta Ballet and Alberta Ballet School have the resources, opportunities, and support necessary to thrive. By championing the artistry of our professional dancers and nurturing the potential of our students, we help cultivate a vibrant and dynamic future for dance in Alberta and beyond.

Donor contributions to our Endowment are matched through the Canada Cultural Investment Fund with the goal to grow the Endowment to $20 million, ensuring an annual disbursement of $1 million. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Endowment Donors, whose generosity makes evenings like The Winter Gala possible.

To learn more or make a donation, please connect with us at
PaulC@AlbertaBallet.com and be a part of keeping Alberta Ballet’s legacy live.

Paul Chambers
Executive Director
Alberta Ballet Foundation

Alfred Sorensen
Chair
Alberta Ballet Foundation

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ALBERTA BALLET DONORS 2023/24 & 2024/25

With our deepest gratitude to all of our donors who support Alberta Ballet, we sincerely thank you for your contributions and dedication.  If you notice an error or omission, please accept our apologies and kindly inform us at ElizabethR@AlbertaBallet.com.

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ElizabethR@AlbertaBallet.com

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    Anonymous 2 *
    Jana Neal +*
    Norma Gibson
    Peter Johnson & Erin Thrall
    Rogers Birdies for Kids Program through Atlalink
    Walter & Irene Deboni +*

    $10,000 to $24,999

    Alfred Sorensen +*
    Andrea Brussa *
    Diana Mulherin +
    Dorothy Woolstencroft +
    Eric & Dedre Toker +
    George & Colleen Bezaire +
    Heather Edwards Foundation
    Heather Rae +
    Hope Smith +*
    John & Barbara Feldberg +
    Lynn & Vern Hult +
    Madelyn Lang
    Osten-Victor Fund at the Calgary Foundation
    Penelope Weir +
    Peter Stapleton & Ethel Nakano +*
    RGO Furniture
    Rita Tripathy & Murray Coleman *
    Sharon Martens +
    Sharon McNaughton +

    $5,000 to $9,999

    Andal Family Fun at the Calgary Foundation +*
    Andrew Greenshaw +
    Anne Marie Toutant +
    Barry & Maureen Schloss +
    Chris George
    Christopher & Ingrid Eggertson +
    Colin Jackson & Arlene Strom +*
    Daryl Fridhandler +*
    Ellie Siebens +
    Fabricci Foundation for the Arts
    Heather Bourne +
    Janice Heard & Bruce McFarlane +
    John & Sheilagh Langille +
    Joni Hughes +
    Julia Boberg +
    Kerri & Sean Barr +
    Lindsay Rachel Giacomelli Memorial Fund
    Optics Lighting & Controls
    Patricia Strickland +
    Rod & Betty Wade *
    Spayco Inc
    The Chawkers Foundation
    Torys LLP

    $1,500 to $4,999

    Adrian Jones +*
    Aggie Mikulski +
    Alan & Geri Moon +
    Alfredo Martin
    Alyssa Kim +
    Amber Denise Leeson +
    Andrew & Alison Love +
    Angelina Bakshi +
    Ann Calvert +
    Ann McCaig
    Annette Milbradt +
    Annie McKitrick +*
    Arliss Miller +
    ATCO EPIC
    Baker Tilly Catalyst
    Benefactor
    Beth MacInnis
    Bob & Mary Lamond +
    Bob Willows +*
    Boyd Musgrove +
    Brenda Nugent +
    C J de Jong +
    Carol Larsen & John Masters +
    Charlene O’Fee +
    Cheri & Michael Boyle +
    Chris & Elizabeth Bourassa +
    Christina Marlett +
    City Lumber & Millwork
    CNL Resources Ltd. +
    Colleen Hartley +
    Corinne Bleakley & Lindsay Williams +
    Craig & Valerie Johnstone +
    Crystal & Blair Willie +
    Darcia Rolland +
    Darin H. Grisdale +
    David & Violet Todd +
    David Haigh & Dawn Riley +
    David & Alexis Macintosh +
    Diana & Laurence Andriashek +
    Dianne Grant +
    Doug Bradenburg +
    Eileen Jones +
    Elena Hernandez-Kucey +
    Frank Molnar & Anna Maria Marrocco +*
    Gail O’Reilly +
    Geoffrey Mar +
    Georgina Clark +
    Gerard Mcinnis +*
    Gina Pylatuik +*
    Gordon Sombrowski & Kevin Allen +
    Gregory Stirling
    Heather Klimchuk +
    Ian Young & Catherine Barrett +
    Ingrid Vicas +
    Jack & Donna Newton +
    J’Adore Dance +
    James & Allison Murphy +
    James Silvius +
    Jane McCaig & Richard Walker
    Jenna Brenan
    Jennifer & Torval Mork +
    Jill Strueby +
    Jillian Murdoch +
    Joan Bedard +
    Joanne Graham & Ian Laxdal +
    Joanne S. Stalinski +
    Jocelyn Beckett +
    John & Susan Hokanson +
    John C. Bonnycastle +
    Jonathan M Reid
    Joni Rynsburger +
    Jose-Carlos Herrero & Nicole Herrero-Langlais +
    Judy Cosco +
    Julie Moylan +
    Katherine Bilson +
    Kathy Campbell +
    Kathy J. McMillan +
    Kathy Ruth Morgan +
    Katie A. Hayes +
    Keith & Cindy O’Neill +
    Kelly Bourassa +
    Kevin Stecyk +
    Kristine Eidsvik
    Laura Cillis & Leonard Arcovio +
    Laurie Bayda +
    Leigh Garvie +
    Leona Gibb
    Leslie & Gerald Giacomelli +
    Leslie Ann O’Leary +
    Leslie Dort +
    Leslie Pidcock +
    Liz Anne Tonken +
    Lockwood Family Fund *
    Lucie Thirbeck +
    Marco Simonelli +
    Marguerite Paulsen +
    Martin & Theresa Trotter +
    Maureen G. Mannix
    Melanie Houley +
    Melissa Padfield +
    Melissa Simon +
    Mitch & Susanne Williams +
    Mitchell Family
    Mona & Scott Rose +
    Monique Courcelles +
    Nicole & Lance Yanke +
    Noel Papadopoulos & Darin LaBonte +
    Noel Xavier +
    Northern Timber Corp +
    O’Hanlon Paving +
    Pamela FitzGerald & Robert Arts +
    Patricia & Robert Peabody +
    Patricia Moore +*
    Patricia Seamans +
    Peggy Garritty +
    Renate Palmer *
    Richard & Aurora Musto +
    Robert & Jean Ann Rooney +
    Robert Rosen
    Roderick & Jean McKay +
    Roger Mapp +
    Ronald & Carole Middleton +
    Roxanne McCaig +
    Ruben & Heather Nelson +
    Russell Ian Varnam
    Sandy Evans +
    Sarah Palmer +
    Sheila Watson +
    Shelley Smith +
    Strathcona Resources
    Susan E. Andrews +
    Tara Mathison +
    Terrie Faber +
    Thomas Fath
    Tom Plunkett +*
    Valerie & Tony Barlott +
    Valerie MacLeod +
    Valerie Seaman *
    Veronica Prokop & Peter Andrekson +
    Victoria Johnston & Gregory McLeod +
    Vivian Manasc +
    Wendy Gnenz +
    Yolanda Van Wachem +

  • 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

    Shaw Family Foundation

    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

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

  • Chair
    Heather Rae, HRJ Consulting (Calgary)

    Vice Chairs
    Jana Neal, SFG Investments (Calgary)
    Heather Klimchuk, Advocacy, Connections & Communciations Consulting (Edmonton)

    Corporate Secretary
    Frank Molnar, Field Law (Calgary)

    Treasurer
    Jana Neal, SFG Investments (Calgary)

  • Denise Clarke, One Yellow Rabbit (Calgary)

    Wendy Gnenz, MNP (Edmonton)

    Alyssa Kim, Finning Canada (Edmonton)

    Noël Papadopoulos, Papas Group (Edmonton)

    Agnieszka (Aggie) Mikulski, TIPP Consulting (Edmonton)

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

    Noel Xavier, Edmonton Community Foundation (Edmonton)

    Melissa Cook, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP (Calgary)

    Peggy Garritty, PG Communications Ltd. (Edmonton)

    Gregory Stirling, Alberta Court of Justice (Calgary)

    Sarah Palmer, LL.B, ICD.D (Calgary)

    Melissa Padfield, University of Alberta (Edmonton)

  • CHAIR/PRESIDENT
    Alfred Sorensen

    SECRETARY/TREASURER
    Peter Stapleton

    DIRECTOR
    Heather Rae

    DIRECTOR
    Jana Neal

    DIRECTOR
    Joni Hughes

    DIRECTOR
    Rita Tripathy

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2024)

2024/25 GOVERNMENT FUNDERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS