Artistry meets accessibility

Extending the Reach of Alberta Ballet

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.

MEET THE FACULTY ↓

Alberta Ballet Classes

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.

Community Engagement

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.

Outreach Classes – Free dance programs for marginalized youth, including year-round sessions at Calgary’s Centre for Newcomers and community-specific workshops across Alberta.
Powwow and Ballet – A six-week program co-taught by ballet teacher and powwow dancer in partnership with the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta. These classes strengthen identity and belonging through movement based in cultural exchange.
Ticket Programs – Partners with immigrant-serving agencies to provide newcomers with tickets to Alberta Ballet performances, creating shared cultural experiences and a sense of belonging.

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.

★ Our Impact

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.

★ Our Vision

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.

Meet the Faculty

Get to know the team that supports the Alberta Ballet Community.

Pianist, Edmonton

Alex Chernega

"My name is Alex, and music has been my lifelong passion since I first began playing the piano at the age of five. After graduating from music school and the Kyiv Institute of Music with a degree in piano and conducting, I began my professional career as a pianist and accompanist.

Working with the Song and Dance Ensemble of Ukraine as a ballet accompanist was a pivotal experience that deepened my understanding of musical collaboration with dancers and performers. This role allowed me to develop strong rhythmic sensitivity, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for the connection between music and movement.

In addition to my accompanist work, I have performed extensively as a pianist, arranger, and sound engineer, collaborating with many distinguished artists from Ukraine and across Europe. I also founded and operated my own recording studio, where I mixed and produced more than 50 CDs for various musicians.

In 2024, I was thrilled to join the Alberta Ballet School, where I continue to share my passion for music through my work as a ballet accompanist and music educator. Alongside my work at the school, I teach piano, vocals, guitar, and drums, and perform as a keyboardist in two Canadian rock bands.

Music is not just my career—it is the heart of my life. I can’t imagine living without it."

Pianist, Edmonton

Alex Chernega

Music is not just my career—it is the heart of my life. I can’t imagine living without it."

Bio coming soon

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