Alberta Ballet Community is a division of Alberta Ballet. Celebrated for performances that move and inspire, the artistry of the professional company reaches even further—training young dancers and expanding access to dance across the province. Alberta Ballet Community connects people to the joy and expression that dance makes possible.
Formalized as its own division in 2024, Alberta Ballet Community extends the company’s reach beyond the stage. Through recreational programs and community partnerships, we open doors for Albertans of all ages and backgrounds to discover creativity, confidence, and connection through dance.
Professional-quality ballet instruction for all ages. Alberta Ballet Classes are a key part of Alberta Ballet Community. These classes welcome participants from preschool to adult, offering exceptional instruction with live music accompaniment and the artistic integrity that defines Alberta Ballet.
Students attend classes each week to deepen their skills, artistry, and understanding of the discipline. These programs, offered out of our Calgary and Edmonton studios, nurture focus, creativity, and confidence — giving students the skills to grow, perform, and find joy in movement.
Students also benefit from ties to the professional company—with ticket discounts, behind-the-scenes opportunities, and, for younger dancers, the chance to perform in beloved productions like The Nutcracker, Cinderella and Hansel and Gretel.
For many families, Alberta Ballet Classes are both an introduction to the art form and a pathway to a lifelong appreciation of dance.
Removing barriers and connecting Albertans through dance. Beyond the studio, Alberta Ballet Community delivers programs that make dance accessible and meaningful for more people across the province.
Each program is developed with community partners and evaluated to ensure impact. We’re committed to building sustainable funding that allows these initiatives to thrive.
Bringing the joy of dance to communities across Alberta.
In the 2025–26 season, Alberta Ballet Community will welcome 1,000 newcomers, 1,000 caregivers, and 600 youth to Alberta Ballet performances through our ticket programs. We will also engage another 1,000 youth (ages 7-17) in eight Alberta communities through free dance programming—many experiencing ballet for the first time.
Each class, performance, and partnership reflects a shared belief: arts participation strengthens individuals, enhances well-being, and builds community. Whether in a theatre, studio, or school gymnasium, dance becomes a shared language of creativity and connection.
Inspiring, connecting, and serving Albertans through dance.
Alberta Ballet Community embodies the organization’s broader mission—to ensure that the excellence seen on stage reaches beyond the spotlight.
As one of Alberta Ballet’s three core divisions, we are building a more connected, inclusive, and inspired province—one dance at a time.
Get to know the team that supports the Alberta Ballet Community.
Marina began her music journey at 5 years old in Ukraine. She dedicated many childhood years to piano lessons and successfully participated in young composer competitions. She graduated from Tchaikovsky Academic Music College at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory in 1991. She continued music career in Israel, teaching piano and playing at local events and schools. Marina moved to Calgary in 2001 and began playing at Alberta Ballet School in 2003 and later began playing full-time in 2009. Mariana was promoted to Head Musician in 2020. Marina’s passion and experience allow her to be an integral support for students and staff of Alberta Ballet School in all different ways including classes, ballet examinations, auditions and performances.
Marina began her music journey at 5 years old in Ukraine. She dedicated many childhood years to piano lessons and successfully participated in young composer competitions. She graduated from Tchaikovsky Academic Music College at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory in 1991. She continued music career in Israel, teaching piano and playing at local events and schools. Marina moved to Calgary in 2001 and began playing at Alberta Ballet School in 2003 and later began playing full-time in 2009. Mariana was promoted to Head Musician in 2020. Marina’s passion and experience allow her to be an integral support for students and staff of Alberta Ballet School in all different ways including classes, ballet examinations, auditions and performances.
Marina began her music journey at 5 years old in Ukraine. She dedicated many childhood years to piano lessons and successfully participated in young composer competitions. She graduated from Tchaikovsky Academic Music College at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory in 1991. She continued music career in Israel, teaching piano and playing at local events and schools. Marina moved to Calgary in 2001 and began playing at Alberta Ballet School in 2003 and later began playing full-time in 2009. Mariana was promoted to Head Musician in 2020. Marina’s passion and experience allow her to be an integral support for students and staff of Alberta Ballet School in all different ways including classes, ballet examinations, auditions and performances.
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Ron Proctor was raised in Grande Prairie, Alberta where he enjoyed private piano lessons with Marian Howarth. After graduating from high school he attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton, where he completed a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance, studying with Dr. Ernesto Lejano.
After moving to Calgary in 1979, he continued his piano studies with Dr. Mary Munn, while playing for ballet exams. He is fond of the music of Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy, but also listens to opera, the Beatles, and cool jazz.
Ron Proctor was raised in Grande Prairie, Alberta where he enjoyed private piano lessons with Marian Howarth. After graduating from high school he attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton, where he completed a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance, studying with Dr. Ernesto Lejano.
After moving to Calgary in 1979, he continued his piano studies with Dr. Mary Munn, while playing for ballet exams. He is fond of the music of Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy, but also listens to opera, the Beatles, and cool jazz.
Ron Proctor was raised in Grande Prairie, Alberta where he enjoyed private piano lessons with Marian Howarth. After graduating from high school he attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton, where he completed a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance, studying with Dr. Ernesto Lejano.
After moving to Calgary in 1979, he continued his piano studies with Dr. Mary Munn, while playing for ballet exams. He is fond of the music of Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy, but also listens to opera, the Beatles, and cool jazz.
Bio coming soon
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Bachelor of Music Degree – University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
Master of Music Degree – Paris Conservatory, Paris, France
After the completion of his musical education in Paris, Tim embarked on a career in jazz, swing and blues, playing piano and singing throughout North America and Europe.
20+ years ago, Tim started a career in seniors’ healthcare and became a dementia care specialist. Tim utilizes his learnings in Neurologic Music Therapy to enhance the lives of the seniors in his dementia care work.
Tim started working as a musician with the Alberta Ballet School in 2020. Tim loves playing for ballet and plays for many different classes at the School.
In 2024 Tim created a project called The Magic of Music and Movement with Alyssa Churchill from the Alberta Ballet Company. Tim played jazz, rock and classical music, and Alyssa danced ballet, and together they performed for seniors, and seniors with dementia, throughout Calgary.
Bachelor of Music Degree – University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
Master of Music Degree – Paris Conservatory, Paris, France
After the completion of his musical education in Paris, Tim embarked on a career in jazz, swing and blues, playing piano and singing throughout North America and Europe.
20+ years ago, Tim started a career in seniors’ healthcare and became a dementia care specialist. Tim utilizes his learnings in Neurologic Music Therapy to enhance the lives of the seniors in his dementia care work.
Tim started working as a musician with the Alberta Ballet School in 2020. Tim loves playing for ballet and plays for many different classes at the School.
In 2024 Tim created a project called The Magic of Music and Movement with Alyssa Churchill from the Alberta Ballet Company. Tim played jazz, rock and classical music, and Alyssa danced ballet, and together they performed for seniors, and seniors with dementia, throughout Calgary.
Bachelor of Music Degree – University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
Master of Music Degree – Paris Conservatory, Paris, France
After the completion of his musical education in Paris, Tim embarked on a career in jazz, swing and blues, playing piano and singing throughout North America and Europe.
20+ years ago, Tim started a career in seniors’ healthcare and became a dementia care specialist. Tim utilizes his learnings in Neurologic Music Therapy to enhance the lives of the seniors in his dementia care work.
Tim started working as a musician with the Alberta Ballet School in 2020. Tim loves playing for ballet and plays for many different classes at the School.
In 2024 Tim created a project called The Magic of Music and Movement with Alyssa Churchill from the Alberta Ballet Company. Tim played jazz, rock and classical music, and Alyssa danced ballet, and together they performed for seniors, and seniors with dementia, throughout Calgary.
"I’m Tyler, and I’ve been playing piano since I was around ten or eleven years old. While I graduated from Mount Royal University with a diploma in jazz performance in 2013, this is only a portion of my musical journey. It has been unorthodox, unexpected, and thoroughly rewarding as my musical training has ranged from formal classical lessons and jazz improvisation courses to live band work, choir accompaniment, and personal songwriting. Each of these disparate avenues has contributed to make me capable of the strangely
specific world of accompanying dance.
Classical music taught me the forms and mechanics of the piano, the building blocks of technique, and the love of melody. Jazz taught me harmonic structure, chordal complexities, and the ability to improvise from a handful of key ideas. Live band work taught me why simple chords are so important, and why their presence is necessary to balance complexity and serve the song you are playing now. Songwriting taught me how to follow an idea and develop it, staying thematically connected from beginning to end.
Since I joined the Alberta Ballet Community in 2019, I have discovered many new things about this art I love and how it can be subtly changed to serve the forms of dance. It has been a humbling and satisfying thing to watch the music I play propel dancers into the movements they need, to be the platform holding them up. In the end, my task is simple: to let these arts for ears and eyes join hands and dance together."
"I’m Tyler, and I’ve been playing piano since I was around ten or eleven years old. While I graduated from Mount Royal University with a diploma in jazz performance in 2013, this is only a portion of my musical journey. It has been unorthodox, unexpected, and thoroughly rewarding as my musical training has ranged from formal classical lessons and jazz improvisation courses to live band work, choir accompaniment, and personal songwriting. Each of these disparate avenues has contributed to make me capable of the strangely
specific world of accompanying dance.
Classical music taught me the forms and mechanics of the piano, the building blocks of technique, and the love of melody. Jazz taught me harmonic structure, chordal complexities, and the ability to improvise from a handful of key ideas. Live band work taught me why simple chords are so important, and why their presence is necessary to balance complexity and serve the song you are playing now. Songwriting taught me how to follow an idea and develop it, staying thematically connected from beginning to end.
Since I joined the Alberta Ballet Community in 2019, I have discovered many new things about this art I love and how it can be subtly changed to serve the forms of dance. It has been a humbling and satisfying thing to watch the music I play propel dancers into the movements they need, to be the platform holding them up. In the end, my task is simple: to let these arts for ears and eyes join hands and dance together."
"I’m Tyler, and I’ve been playing piano since I was around ten or eleven years old. While I graduated from Mount Royal University with a diploma in jazz performance in 2013, this is only a portion of my musical journey. It has been unorthodox, unexpected, and thoroughly rewarding as my musical training has ranged from formal classical lessons and jazz improvisation courses to live band work, choir accompaniment, and personal songwriting. Each of these disparate avenues has contributed to make me capable of the strangely
specific world of accompanying dance.
Classical music taught me the forms and mechanics of the piano, the building blocks of technique, and the love of melody. Jazz taught me harmonic structure, chordal complexities, and the ability to improvise from a handful of key ideas. Live band work taught me why simple chords are so important, and why their presence is necessary to balance complexity and serve the song you are playing now. Songwriting taught me how to follow an idea and develop it, staying thematically connected from beginning to end.
Since I joined the Alberta Ballet Community in 2019, I have discovered many new things about this art I love and how it can be subtly changed to serve the forms of dance. It has been a humbling and satisfying thing to watch the music I play propel dancers into the movements they need, to be the platform holding them up. In the end, my task is simple: to let these arts for ears and eyes join hands and dance together."
Violetta Dimitrova joined Alberta Ballet School as an accompanist/musician in September 2021, and she has delightfully continued playing for variable levels of classical ballet classes.
During more than 20 years of a musical career in Calgary community, Violetta has become an
accomplished music educator, piano, and accordion specialist, who is nurturing the musical
talent of her students, and specifically emphasises on teaching piano to children with autism. She passionately believes in successful outcomes, benefits and the power of music for students and their parents.
In 2022, Violetta Dimitrova received a Master Degree in Music (Music Education) -University of Calgary. Previously, she earned her Bachelor Degree in Music - M. P. Mussorgsky the Ural State Conservatory (Ekaterinburg, Russia) - Faculty of Folk Instrument:Specialized in accordion performance, teaching, and orchestral and ensemble performance. She had graduated from P. I. Tchaikovsky Music College (Ekaterinburg, Russia) - Folk Instrument Department with specialization in accordion performance, teaching, accompaniment, conducting folk orchestras, and performing with folk ensembles.
Violetta Dimitrova proudly awarded by Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES) and
Donald R. Hayes Memorial Scholarship.
Violetta Dimitrova joined Alberta Ballet School as an accompanist/musician in September 2021, and she has delightfully continued playing for variable levels of classical ballet classes.
During more than 20 years of a musical career in Calgary community, Violetta has become an
accomplished music educator, piano, and accordion specialist, who is nurturing the musical
talent of her students, and specifically emphasises on teaching piano to children with autism. She passionately believes in successful outcomes, benefits and the power of music for students and their parents.
In 2022, Violetta Dimitrova received a Master Degree in Music (Music Education) -University of Calgary. Previously, she earned her Bachelor Degree in Music - M. P. Mussorgsky the Ural State Conservatory (Ekaterinburg, Russia) - Faculty of Folk Instrument:Specialized in accordion performance, teaching, and orchestral and ensemble performance. She had graduated from P. I. Tchaikovsky Music College (Ekaterinburg, Russia) - Folk Instrument Department with specialization in accordion performance, teaching, accompaniment, conducting folk orchestras, and performing with folk ensembles.
Violetta Dimitrova proudly awarded by Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES) and
Donald R. Hayes Memorial Scholarship.
Violetta Dimitrova joined Alberta Ballet School as an accompanist/musician in September 2021, and she has delightfully continued playing for variable levels of classical ballet classes.
During more than 20 years of a musical career in Calgary community, Violetta has become an
accomplished music educator, piano, and accordion specialist, who is nurturing the musical
talent of her students, and specifically emphasises on teaching piano to children with autism. She passionately believes in successful outcomes, benefits and the power of music for students and their parents.
In 2022, Violetta Dimitrova received a Master Degree in Music (Music Education) -University of Calgary. Previously, she earned her Bachelor Degree in Music - M. P. Mussorgsky the Ural State Conservatory (Ekaterinburg, Russia) - Faculty of Folk Instrument:Specialized in accordion performance, teaching, and orchestral and ensemble performance. She had graduated from P. I. Tchaikovsky Music College (Ekaterinburg, Russia) - Folk Instrument Department with specialization in accordion performance, teaching, accompaniment, conducting folk orchestras, and performing with folk ensembles.
Violetta Dimitrova proudly awarded by Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES) and
Donald R. Hayes Memorial Scholarship.