Canadian National Ballet School Audition 2016/2017 National Audition Tour & Open Class Dates
Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS) is pleased to announce its 2016/2017 National Audition Tour (NAT), which includes Auditions and Open Classes, will commence in Calgary, AB on November 8. This year’s NAT will visit 20 cities across Canada including Windsor before concluding in St. John’s, NL on April 2, 2017.
Auditions for the Professional Ballet Program – which offers full-time dance training, academic education and residential care for students in Grades 6 to12, and full-time dance training to post-secondary students (Post-Secondary Program) – take the form of a specially designed ballet class where dancers are assessed for quality of movement, coordination and overall suitability for the demands of classical ballet. The minimum age to audition is 10, and no prior ballet training is required for students aged 12 and under.
Open Classes are offered by NBS artistic staff as an outreach component of the National Audition Tour. These classes are for junior and senior dance students regardless of their intent to audition for the full-time program. Designed for young dancers who are eager to explore movement, these classes give participants a dynamic sense of dance and performance.
NBS also offers a full and part-time Teacher Training Program to high school dance majors, professional dancers seeking a career change and practicing ballet teachers who would like to enhance their knowledge and teacher skills. Entrance into the Teacher Training Program is by DVD audition submission. Information detailing the application process is available on NBS’ website
“As the National Audition Tour bridges 2016 – 2017, we look forward to connecting with students, parents and teachers during Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation, and celebrating the significant role that dance plays in Canada’s rich history. Through open classes and auditions, we are privileged to share our love of dance with pan-Canadian communities, celebrate the benefits dance brings to body, mind and soul, and recruit future ballet ‘Olympians.” – Mavis Staines, NBS Artistic Director and CEO
From the more than 1,000 young dancers who audition each year, approximately 175 are chosen to participate in the second-stage assessment, a four-week Summer School held at NBS’ state-of-the-art training facilities in Toronto in July.
NBS’ website continues to serve as the key source for information on all its programs, projects and initiatives. The School’s Facebook page now boasts upwards of 11,000 fans, and NBS’ YouTube Channel has more than 145 videos. NBS is also on Instagram and Twitter, and can be found under the handle @NBS_ENB. For instant updates from the Tour, follow the hashtag #NBSauditions. Registration for Open Classes and Audition dates is now open, check NBS’ website for details.
National Audition Tour 2016/2017 Cities and Dates:
Calgary, AB Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Edmonton, AB Friday, November 11, 2016
Vancouver, BC Sunday, November 13, 2016
Victoria, BC Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Steinbach, MB Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Sudbury, ON Friday, November 18, 2016
Montreal, QC Sunday, November 20, 2016
Halifax, NS Monday, November 21, 2016
Regina, SK Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Charlottetown, PE Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Moncton, NB Friday, November 25, 2016
Ottawa, ON Sunday, November 27, 2016
St. Catharines, ON Thursday, January 5, 2017
Waterloo, ON Thursday, January 5, 2017
Windsor, ON Saturday, January 7, 2017
London, ON Saturday, January 7, 2017
Toronto, ON Sunday, January 29 & Sunday, February 12, 2017
Barrie, ON Sunday, February 5, 2017
St. John’s, NL Sunday, April 2, 2017 (in conjunction with outreach initiatives)
Established in 1959, Canada’s National Ballet School is a world leader in the training of professional dancers and teachers. NBS alumni can be found as dancers, teachers, choreographers and artistic directors in over 80 dance companies and schools around the globe. NBS is at the forefront of professional ballet schools in delivering a wide and diverse range of community programs that improve health and quality of life for people of all ages and abilities. The excellence of the Professional Ballet Program is reflected in all of NBS’ programs.
