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 multiple 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 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 through performance access, 1,000 caregivers, and 600 youth and 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.
Emily is a ballet and contemporary dance artist/educator who started her career with Citie Ballet (now Ballet Edmonton). She holds a B.A., a diploma in Arts and Cultural Management, and an M.A. in Dance Pedagogy. Currently she is a PhD candidate in kinesiology/dance pedagogy at the U of A. She danced with several contemporary companies in New York and Philadelphia, and has taught at major institutions in New York, Maryland, Tokyo, Okinawa, and Vancouver. In addition to concert dance and teaching, Emily has worked in the film industry and been sponsored by Bloch and Sansha dancewear. She continues to teach, choreograph, and adjudicate across North America and is on faculty with Harbour Dance Centre, Alberta Ballet Classes and the University of Alberta. Her professional development continues with American Ballet Theatre in New York and Alberta Ballet Classes. Her work is informed by her studies in the pedagogy of somatics, inclusive practices in ballet, and her affinity for classical music (she has her gr. 10 piano). She strives to teach anatomically correct movement and instill extensive musicality in her students.
Emily is a ballet and contemporary dance artist/educator who started her career with Citie Ballet (now Ballet Edmonton). She holds a B.A., a diploma in Arts and Cultural Management, and an M.A. in Dance Pedagogy. Currently she is a PhD candidate in kinesiology/dance pedagogy at the U of A. She danced with several contemporary companies in New York and Philadelphia, and has taught at major institutions in New York, Maryland, Tokyo, Okinawa, and Vancouver. In addition to concert dance and teaching, Emily has worked in the film industry and been sponsored by Bloch and Sansha dancewear. She continues to teach, choreograph, and adjudicate across North America and is on faculty with Harbour Dance Centre, Alberta Ballet Classes and the University of Alberta. Her professional development continues with American Ballet Theatre in New York and Alberta Ballet Classes. Her work is informed by her studies in the pedagogy of somatics, inclusive practices in ballet, and her affinity for classical music (she has her gr. 10 piano). She strives to teach anatomically correct movement and instill extensive musicality in her students.
Emily is a ballet and contemporary dance artist/educator who started her career with Citie Ballet (now Ballet Edmonton). She holds a B.A., a diploma in Arts and Cultural Management, and an M.A. in Dance Pedagogy. Currently she is a PhD candidate in kinesiology/dance pedagogy at the U of A. She danced with several contemporary companies in New York and Philadelphia, and has taught at major institutions in New York, Maryland, Tokyo, Okinawa, and Vancouver. In addition to concert dance and teaching, Emily has worked in the film industry and been sponsored by Bloch and Sansha dancewear. She continues to teach, choreograph, and adjudicate across North America and is on faculty with Harbour Dance Centre, Alberta Ballet Classes and the University of Alberta. Her professional development continues with American Ballet Theatre in New York and Alberta Ballet Classes. Her work is informed by her studies in the pedagogy of somatics, inclusive practices in ballet, and her affinity for classical music (she has her gr. 10 piano). She strives to teach anatomically correct movement and instill extensive musicality in her students.
Emily grew up in Rossland BC, training in ballet and modern dance . In 2001 she was awarded Runner-Up at the BC Provincial Festival for Sr. Modern Dance. She is a graduate of the professional training programs at School of Toronto Dance Theatre (now Dance Arts Institute) and CODARTS: Rotterdams Dansacademie in The Netherlands.
Emily’s professional performing career highlights include: Touring northern Europe with contemporary dance company Theatergroep DOX in the Netherlands. Performing a solo by Agnija Šeiko at the Prague Dance Festival, Tanec Praha. Performing with Josh Beamish’s MOVETHECOMPANY at the Vancouver International Dance Festival. Dancing and touring for 5 seasons with Toronto’s Tilt sound+motion.
Emily has been teaching ballet and contemporary dance since 2001. She has her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) supplemented with courses at Canada's National Ballet School's Teacher Training Program. She was the Ballet Program Director at Joy of Dance Centre in Toronto from 2009-2023 and in 2020 was shortlisted, top 4, for the RAD’s Centenary Dance Teacher’s Award for Advocacy in Dance for her Adult RAD Ballet Program at Joy of Dance Centre.
Emily joined the faculty at Alberta Ballet in 2023. After 2 years traveling across the province teaching and coordinating for AB’s Community Outreach Program she is now honored to be teaching ballet and contemporary dance in the AB Classes program.
Emily grew up in Rossland BC, training in ballet and modern dance . In 2001 she was awarded Runner-Up at the BC Provincial Festival for Sr. Modern Dance. She is a graduate of the professional training programs at School of Toronto Dance Theatre (now Dance Arts Institute) and CODARTS: Rotterdams Dansacademie in The Netherlands.
Emily’s professional performing career highlights include: Touring northern Europe with contemporary dance company Theatergroep DOX in the Netherlands. Performing a solo by Agnija Šeiko at the Prague Dance Festival, Tanec Praha. Performing with Josh Beamish’s MOVETHECOMPANY at the Vancouver International Dance Festival. Dancing and touring for 5 seasons with Toronto’s Tilt sound+motion.
Emily has been teaching ballet and contemporary dance since 2001. She has her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) supplemented with courses at Canada's National Ballet School's Teacher Training Program. She was the Ballet Program Director at Joy of Dance Centre in Toronto from 2009-2023 and in 2020 was shortlisted, top 4, for the RAD’s Centenary Dance Teacher’s Award for Advocacy in Dance for her Adult RAD Ballet Program at Joy of Dance Centre.
Emily joined the faculty at Alberta Ballet in 2023. After 2 years traveling across the province teaching and coordinating for AB’s Community Outreach Program she is now honored to be teaching ballet and contemporary dance in the AB Classes program.
Emily grew up in Rossland BC, training in ballet and modern dance . In 2001 she was awarded Runner-Up at the BC Provincial Festival for Sr. Modern Dance. She is a graduate of the professional training programs at School of Toronto Dance Theatre (now Dance Arts Institute) and CODARTS: Rotterdams Dansacademie in The Netherlands.
Emily’s professional performing career highlights include: Touring northern Europe with contemporary dance company Theatergroep DOX in the Netherlands. Performing a solo by Agnija Šeiko at the Prague Dance Festival, Tanec Praha. Performing with Josh Beamish’s MOVETHECOMPANY at the Vancouver International Dance Festival. Dancing and touring for 5 seasons with Toronto’s Tilt sound+motion.
Emily has been teaching ballet and contemporary dance since 2001. She has her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) supplemented with courses at Canada's National Ballet School's Teacher Training Program. She was the Ballet Program Director at Joy of Dance Centre in Toronto from 2009-2023 and in 2020 was shortlisted, top 4, for the RAD’s Centenary Dance Teacher’s Award for Advocacy in Dance for her Adult RAD Ballet Program at Joy of Dance Centre.
Emily joined the faculty at Alberta Ballet in 2023. After 2 years traveling across the province teaching and coordinating for AB’s Community Outreach Program she is now honored to be teaching ballet and contemporary dance in the AB Classes program.
Jill Henis, originally from Vancouver, Canada (Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations), is an international dance artist, choreographer, rehearsal director, and teacher with a career spanning over 30 years. She has worked with companies such as Ballet Nacional de Cuba, San Francisco Ballet, Evergreen City Ballet, and Chrissie Parrot Dance Company, and toured extensively through Southeast Asia with choreographer Robert Gulliam.
Guided by curiosity and a passion for growth, Jill thrives on engaging with new communities and cultures. She has taught for institutions worldwide including Harbour Dance Centre (Vancouver), Point Park University (Pittsburgh), Rambert The Company (London), Ballet BC, and Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (Calgary).
A founder of Project 404, an artist-run creative hub established in 2014, Jill continues to pursue her choreographic and teaching practice. She is currently a guest rehearsal director with Ballet Edmonton and teaches with the Alberta Ballet School’s Affiliates Program and Adult Community classes.
Jill Henis, originally from Vancouver, Canada (Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations), is an international dance artist, choreographer, rehearsal director, and teacher with a career spanning over 30 years. She has worked with companies such as Ballet Nacional de Cuba, San Francisco Ballet, Evergreen City Ballet, and Chrissie Parrot Dance Company, and toured extensively through Southeast Asia with choreographer Robert Gulliam.
Guided by curiosity and a passion for growth, Jill thrives on engaging with new communities and cultures. She has taught for institutions worldwide including Harbour Dance Centre (Vancouver), Point Park University (Pittsburgh), Rambert The Company (London), Ballet BC, and Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (Calgary).
A founder of Project 404, an artist-run creative hub established in 2014, Jill continues to pursue her choreographic and teaching practice. She is currently a guest rehearsal director with Ballet Edmonton and teaches with the Alberta Ballet School’s Affiliates Program and Adult Community classes.
Jill Henis, originally from Vancouver, Canada (Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations), is an international dance artist, choreographer, rehearsal director, and teacher with a career spanning over 30 years. She has worked with companies such as Ballet Nacional de Cuba, San Francisco Ballet, Evergreen City Ballet, and Chrissie Parrot Dance Company, and toured extensively through Southeast Asia with choreographer Robert Gulliam.
Guided by curiosity and a passion for growth, Jill thrives on engaging with new communities and cultures. She has taught for institutions worldwide including Harbour Dance Centre (Vancouver), Point Park University (Pittsburgh), Rambert The Company (London), Ballet BC, and Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (Calgary).
A founder of Project 404, an artist-run creative hub established in 2014, Jill continues to pursue her choreographic and teaching practice. She is currently a guest rehearsal director with Ballet Edmonton and teaches with the Alberta Ballet School’s Affiliates Program and Adult Community classes.
Judy began her ballet training at a young age in Hong Kong and has a deep love of this art. She continued her ballet training in Canada and further completing the Teacher’s Training in Edmonton in early 1990s. Learning does not stop when one becomes a teacher. Judy continuously widens her learning, growing as a teacher and dancer. She loves to share her passion and love of classical ballet with her students.
Judy began her ballet training at a young age in Hong Kong and has a deep love of this art. She continued her ballet training in Canada and further completing the Teacher’s Training in Edmonton in early 1990s. Learning does not stop when one becomes a teacher. Judy continuously widens her learning, growing as a teacher and dancer. She loves to share her passion and love of classical ballet with her students.
Judy began her ballet training at a young age in Hong Kong and has a deep love of this art. She continued her ballet training in Canada and further completing the Teacher’s Training in Edmonton in early 1990s. Learning does not stop when one becomes a teacher. Judy continuously widens her learning, growing as a teacher and dancer. She loves to share her passion and love of classical ballet with her students.
Sarah was born in Edmonton, Alberta and began her ballet training at the age of four. She trained at the National Ballet School of Canada and graduated from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School’s Professional Division in 2008, followed by the Aspirant Post-Secondary Program in 2010. That same year, she danced in corps de ballet roles as a guest artist with Alberta Ballet, performing in Kirk Peterson’s Sleeping Beauty, Edmund Stripe’s The Nutcracker, and George Balanchine’s Serenade. After retiring from performance, Sarah completed her Bachelor of Education (Elementary Generalist) at the University of Alberta in 2016. Over the years, she has taught ballet at a few local competitive studios and also taught barre fitness and youth movement classes. Currently, Sarah teaches for Edmonton Public Schools, teaching elementary school classes and leading Creative Movement at an Arts-Core school in Edmonton. Her professional development includes participation in the Ideas Exchange at Canada’s National Ballet School and the Teacher’s Summer Workshop at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. Drawing on her extensive experience and lifelong passion for dance, Sarah strives to bridge the connection between the classroom and the studio, inspiring students to explore creativity, discipline, and self-expression through movement and learning.
Sarah was born in Edmonton, Alberta and began her ballet training at the age of four. She trained at the National Ballet School of Canada and graduated from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School’s Professional Division in 2008, followed by the Aspirant Post-Secondary Program in 2010. That same year, she danced in corps de ballet roles as a guest artist with Alberta Ballet, performing in Kirk Peterson’s Sleeping Beauty, Edmund Stripe’s The Nutcracker, and George Balanchine’s Serenade. After retiring from performance, Sarah completed her Bachelor of Education (Elementary Generalist) at the University of Alberta in 2016. Over the years, she has taught ballet at a few local competitive studios and also taught barre fitness and youth movement classes. Currently, Sarah teaches for Edmonton Public Schools, teaching elementary school classes and leading Creative Movement at an Arts-Core school in Edmonton. Her professional development includes participation in the Ideas Exchange at Canada’s National Ballet School and the Teacher’s Summer Workshop at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. Drawing on her extensive experience and lifelong passion for dance, Sarah strives to bridge the connection between the classroom and the studio, inspiring students to explore creativity, discipline, and self-expression through movement and learning.
Sarah was born in Edmonton, Alberta and began her ballet training at the age of four. She trained at the National Ballet School of Canada and graduated from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School’s Professional Division in 2008, followed by the Aspirant Post-Secondary Program in 2010. That same year, she danced in corps de ballet roles as a guest artist with Alberta Ballet, performing in Kirk Peterson’s Sleeping Beauty, Edmund Stripe’s The Nutcracker, and George Balanchine’s Serenade. After retiring from performance, Sarah completed her Bachelor of Education (Elementary Generalist) at the University of Alberta in 2016. Over the years, she has taught ballet at a few local competitive studios and also taught barre fitness and youth movement classes. Currently, Sarah teaches for Edmonton Public Schools, teaching elementary school classes and leading Creative Movement at an Arts-Core school in Edmonton. Her professional development includes participation in the Ideas Exchange at Canada’s National Ballet School and the Teacher’s Summer Workshop at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. Drawing on her extensive experience and lifelong passion for dance, Sarah strives to bridge the connection between the classroom and the studio, inspiring students to explore creativity, discipline, and self-expression through movement and learning.
Bio coming soon
Bio coming soon
Bio coming soon
Sasha Wilde-Benning holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Dance from The School of Contemporary Dancers in affiliation with The University of Winnipeg (2017). Ms. Wilde has performed professionally with various companies and projects in Manitoba and Alberta such as Nafro Dance Productions, Dancers’ Studio West, Ballet Bodies and Corps Bara Dance Theatre. She has also presented her own work at festivals in Alberta such as Ignite, NextFest and Common Ground Festival. Ms. Wilde is passionate about sharing her love of dance with her students and facilitating their creative expression through movement; she has taught and choreographed for many dance schools and youth organizations over the past decade, including Alberta Ballet Classes and Alberta Ballet Community Outreach.
Sasha Wilde-Benning holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Dance from The School of Contemporary Dancers in affiliation with The University of Winnipeg (2017). Ms. Wilde has performed professionally with various companies and projects in Manitoba and Alberta such as Nafro Dance Productions, Dancers’ Studio West, Ballet Bodies and Corps Bara Dance Theatre. She has also presented her own work at festivals in Alberta such as Ignite, NextFest and Common Ground Festival. Ms. Wilde is passionate about sharing her love of dance with her students and facilitating their creative expression through movement; she has taught and choreographed for many dance schools and youth organizations over the past decade, including Alberta Ballet Classes and Alberta Ballet Community Outreach.
Sasha Wilde-Benning holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Dance from The School of Contemporary Dancers in affiliation with The University of Winnipeg (2017). Ms. Wilde has performed professionally with various companies and projects in Manitoba and Alberta such as Nafro Dance Productions, Dancers’ Studio West, Ballet Bodies and Corps Bara Dance Theatre. She has also presented her own work at festivals in Alberta such as Ignite, NextFest and Common Ground Festival. Ms. Wilde is passionate about sharing her love of dance with her students and facilitating their creative expression through movement; she has taught and choreographed for many dance schools and youth organizations over the past decade, including Alberta Ballet Classes and Alberta Ballet Community Outreach.