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.
Taryn Samson a native Calgarian, received her early training under Gillian Howatt. She began her professional training at Canada’s National Ballet School where she was one of the youngest student choreographers in the 1999 Stephen Godfrey Choreographic Workshop.
Taryn returned to Calgary to resume her training at the Alberta Ballet School. She trained for several years under the direction of Murray and Nancy Kilgour and was a member of the first ever graduating class of the Pre-Professional Program. Taryn performed with Alberta Ballet Company in performances including Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker and Christopher Wheeldon’s A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream. Taryn also spent two summers at the Banff Centre for the Arts Summer Dance Program and was a part of the National Artist’s Program performing at the 2003 Canada Winter Games.
Taryn joined the Alberta Ballet School’s Professional Division as a full-time faculty member in 2011 and has worked to refine her skills under the mentorship of esteemed teachers such as Murray and Nancy Kilgour, Joyce Shietze, Ashley McNeil and Diane van Schoor. She was promoted to Head of Junior School in 2013 and Director of Community Programing in 2021.
Taryn holds her Licentiate with Cecchetti Canada and was the 2013 recipient of the Margaret Saul Scholarship Award for Professional Development. Taryn is one of the few that holds the prestigious Enrico Cecchetti Final Diploma, the highest qualification in the method. Taryn achieved this honor through the mentorship and guidance of Nancy Kilgour. She has also served as a member of the Cecchetti Canada Alberta Committee and the Board of Directors.
In 2022 Taryn attended The Royal Ballet School in London, England to train in their new Affiliate Training and Assessment Program (ATAP). She received her certification in 2023 becoming the first Canadian Affiliate Teacher of the Royal Ballet School delivering this innovative program to students of the Alberta Ballet.
Taryn is also a certified teacher of the Fitness Table TCP method specializing in postural rehabilitation and core strengthening and has attained a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Mount Royal University. Taryn believes in the powerful benefits of movement and brings her gift for teaching to all those who are looking to lead active lives.
Taryn Samson a native Calgarian, received her early training under Gillian Howatt. She began her professional training at Canada’s National Ballet School where she was one of the youngest student choreographers in the 1999 Stephen Godfrey Choreographic Workshop.
Taryn returned to Calgary to resume her training at the Alberta Ballet School. She trained for several years under the direction of Murray and Nancy Kilgour and was a member of the first ever graduating class of the Pre-Professional Program. Taryn performed with Alberta Ballet Company in performances including Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker and Christopher Wheeldon’s A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream. Taryn also spent two summers at the Banff Centre for the Arts Summer Dance Program and was a part of the National Artist’s Program performing at the 2003 Canada Winter Games.
Taryn joined the Alberta Ballet School’s Professional Division as a full-time faculty member in 2011 and has worked to refine her skills under the mentorship of esteemed teachers such as Murray and Nancy Kilgour, Joyce Shietze, Ashley McNeil and Diane van Schoor. She was promoted to Head of Junior School in 2013 and Director of Community Programing in 2021.
Taryn holds her Licentiate with Cecchetti Canada and was the 2013 recipient of the Margaret Saul Scholarship Award for Professional Development. Taryn is one of the few that holds the prestigious Enrico Cecchetti Final Diploma, the highest qualification in the method. Taryn achieved this honor through the mentorship and guidance of Nancy Kilgour. She has also served as a member of the Cecchetti Canada Alberta Committee and the Board of Directors.
In 2022 Taryn attended The Royal Ballet School in London, England to train in their new Affiliate Training and Assessment Program (ATAP). She received her certification in 2023 becoming the first Canadian Affiliate Teacher of the Royal Ballet School delivering this innovative program to students of the Alberta Ballet.
Taryn is also a certified teacher of the Fitness Table TCP method specializing in postural rehabilitation and core strengthening and has attained a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Mount Royal University. Taryn believes in the powerful benefits of movement and brings her gift for teaching to all those who are looking to lead active lives.
Taryn Samson a native Calgarian, received her early training under Gillian Howatt. She began her professional training at Canada’s National Ballet School where she was one of the youngest student choreographers in the 1999 Stephen Godfrey Choreographic Workshop.
Taryn returned to Calgary to resume her training at the Alberta Ballet School. She trained for several years under the direction of Murray and Nancy Kilgour and was a member of the first ever graduating class of the Pre-Professional Program. Taryn performed with Alberta Ballet Company in performances including Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker and Christopher Wheeldon’s A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream. Taryn also spent two summers at the Banff Centre for the Arts Summer Dance Program and was a part of the National Artist’s Program performing at the 2003 Canada Winter Games.
Taryn joined the Alberta Ballet School’s Professional Division as a full-time faculty member in 2011 and has worked to refine her skills under the mentorship of esteemed teachers such as Murray and Nancy Kilgour, Joyce Shietze, Ashley McNeil and Diane van Schoor. She was promoted to Head of Junior School in 2013 and Director of Community Programing in 2021.
Taryn holds her Licentiate with Cecchetti Canada and was the 2013 recipient of the Margaret Saul Scholarship Award for Professional Development. Taryn is one of the few that holds the prestigious Enrico Cecchetti Final Diploma, the highest qualification in the method. Taryn achieved this honor through the mentorship and guidance of Nancy Kilgour. She has also served as a member of the Cecchetti Canada Alberta Committee and the Board of Directors.
In 2022 Taryn attended The Royal Ballet School in London, England to train in their new Affiliate Training and Assessment Program (ATAP). She received her certification in 2023 becoming the first Canadian Affiliate Teacher of the Royal Ballet School delivering this innovative program to students of the Alberta Ballet.
Taryn is also a certified teacher of the Fitness Table TCP method specializing in postural rehabilitation and core strengthening and has attained a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Mount Royal University. Taryn believes in the powerful benefits of movement and brings her gift for teaching to all those who are looking to lead active lives.
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.
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.