‘Anyone can take a ballet class’: George Davison elementary students prove ballet can be for all, organizers say

“Alberta Ballet happened to get ahold of us in late September and just say that they were interested in working with us,” MacPhail told CHAT News.

Outreach ballet teacher Emily Trench started working with interested students at George Davison in October.

The students started with learning basic dance moves as well as producing choreography for their winter concert that took place Thursday night.

While it had it’s challenges at first, Trench said the students have embraced the art form.

“There was a small group that were very questioning of everything and questioning what is ballet, who are you, what are we doing,” Trench said.

“But, over the past eight weeks, we’ve worked to break down those barriers and just allow the kids to just have fun and to move, to dance and to have a great time.”

In a province known for line dancing and rodeos, Alberta Ballet has worked hard to show that the dance isn’t only for the next Baryshnikov.

“I think that’s one of the goals of the program is to show that kids across the province and families that ballet can be approachable and doesn’t need to be this art form that no one can do,” Trench said.

“Anyone can take a ballet class and have fun.”

With great support shown from both students and faculty at George Davison, both Trench and MacPhail said they are excited for future programs that are developed off their lessons from Medicine Hat.

“Absolutely, this has been a great learning opportunity for everyone to figure out what are the most important things to offer in the ballet program and how to do it,” MacPhail said.

“It’s definitely something that we would invite back, it’s been great.”

by Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

‘Anyone can take a ballet class’: George Davison elementary students prove ballet can be for all, organizers say

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