A Premiere Professional Classical Ballet and Contemporary School of Dance
WELCOME TO CANTERBURY BALLET
Who We Are
CANTERBURY BALLET IS AN AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE (ABT) AFFILIATED SCHOOL INCORPORATING THE ABT CURRICULUM INTO OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS.
DON'T THINK, JUST DANCE. CONSIDER FUTURE DIRECTION, ARTISTIC AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND JOY. SKILLS FOR LIFE.
The Canterbury Ballet dancer is trained in multiple forms of dance including Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Character and so much more.
The Dance Training at the Canterbury Ballet School has been designed into levels appropriate to the age, maturity and dance expertise of each student. Students will elevate to higher levels at the conclusion of each year, in a systematic and progressive manner.
The daily operations of the School are overseen by its Founder/Director, Taisia Missevich.
The American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum
Canterbury Ballet is proud to incorporate the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum, an eight-level program that combines high quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development for students of all ages and skill levels.
ABT’s National Training Curriculum is a program for the development and training of young students that embraces sound ballet principles and incorporates elements of the French, Italian and Russian schools of training. Under the direction of ABT Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie, the Curriculum aims to assist beginning through advanced teachers in training dance students to use their bodies correctly, focusing on kinetics and coordination, as well as anatomy and proper body alignment. The National Training Curriculum strives to provide dance students with a rich knowledge of classical ballet technique and the ability to adapt to all styles and techniques of dance.
“After nearly ten years, American Ballet Theatre's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and our related Summer Intensive program has seen the impact that American Ballet Theatre's National Training Curriculum has meant to dance teachers and ballet students across the country and internationally,” says Cynthia Harvey, Artistic Director of ABT’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. “We are pleased that teachers and students are implementing the guidelines recommended by the Curriculum and working in a way that will lead them towards a long and healthy career. The Curriculum is fluid and will expand as we continue to investigate the way that dance and sport science is developing and impacting the way we can train dancers to reach their optimum physical and artistic potential.”
American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum can be used to enhance an existing syllabus and to assist teachers in working appropriately with young dancers.
The BBO syllabus examinations will continue to be offered for those who wish to sit these examinations as well as the ABT examinations at Canterbury Ballet.
Discover Canterbury Ballet
For generations, human civilizations have been dancing. Whether for cultural reasons or pure enjoyment, there’s a wonderful feeling that one gets from the art of movement. Just ask the dedicated dancers who come to dance at Canterbury Ballet
When you decide to join us at CANTERBURY BALLET, you too will be able to take advantage of our professional staff at our fully-equipped facility . Whether you’re a Talented Tiny Dancer, a teenager with dreams and ambition or a dedicated young professional trainee
looking to improve your technique and pathway opportunities. You find it
at Canterbury Ballet.
OUR MISSION
To facilitate each student’s right to achieve their full potential and realise their goals irrespective of race, colour, creed or religious beliefs, in a challenging learning environment that respects
individual needs.
For thirty five years our students have gone on to dance with world renowned Ballet and Dance Companies including: Royal New Zealand Ballet, The English National Ballet, Australian Ballet, Victorian State Ballet, Vienna Opera Ballet, San Diego Ballet, Footnote Dance Company, Dresden Opera Ballet, Ballet European, San Diego Ballet, Paul Taylor, Princess Cruise Lines, Ayton Ballet.
Meet the Team
YOU’RE IN GREAT HANDS
Meet our talented team of Principal Tutors at CANTERBURY BALLET. Focused on teaching exceptional technique and creating unforgettable experiences, our team is committed to our dancers’ satisfaction and success.
FOUNDER/DIRECTOR
TAISIA MISSEVICH
PRINCIPAL CLASSICAL STUDIES
LILY CARTWRIGHT
PRINCIPAL CONTEMPORARY, MUSICAL THEATRE AND COMMERCIAL DANCE. JUNIOR AND INTERMEDIATE CLASSICAL BALLET TUTOR
ALEXIS CARTWRIGHT
INTRODUCTORY DANCE
MUMMY AND ME
Led by a dedicated team of instructors, this class will have you and your Pre Schooler on their feet in no time showcasing their talent !!
Enjoy sharing in the joy and journey of your pre school child”s discovery of movement, co ordination and musicality in an imaginative class which uses story telling through mime and the use of props and costumes along with a few sassy Jazz Dance numbers. You will see their confidence build week by week.
PRIMARY DANCE
LIVE TO DANCE
This class is a favorite among our five to seven year old students. Everyone loves the opportunity to explore the new dance styles (Jazz and basic Acro incorporated into this class.
This program builds on the young child’s discovery of movement and physical understanding. The focus of co ordination and musicality are augmented with the introduction of agility, Flexibility and balance, correct posture, correct use of feet and legs into the classes.
The expression of enjoyment and fun through the use of games and thoughtful role play assist in continuing to build the dancers
confidence and ability step by step while also mastering the early classical vocabulary. Our amazing tutors make sure everyone gets individual attention while keeping the class collaborative.
YOUNG DANCER
WE'RE DOING IT !!
Listen - Discover - Practice - Unleash - Perform with Joy and Freedom.
These dancers build their technical and artistic knowledge and work towards becoming the best dancers they can be. Through encouragement, a positive learning environment and attention to individual needs teachers assist each dancer to strive and succeed. “Reach for the stars without fear or doubt." All is possible when you exercise focus and determination”. Involvement in Competition Groups and preparation for solos and examinations are offered. Performances in Ballet and Contemporary/Jazz dance are staged as part of each dancers annual study and experience. Traditional repertoire and new choreographies form part of the performance program .
OPENING HOURS
Mon - Fri: 8am - 6pm
Sat: 9am - 4pm
Sun: 10am - 2pm
FULL TIME TRAINING PROGRAM
Canterbury Ballet takes a beginning student to a professional level of dancing in
the Full time Trainee Program. Students can begin at the age of seven to nine in Level One of the ABT program. Emphasis in this program is placed on Attitude, Musicality and Technique. These dancers study Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz and Commercial Dance and National Character. Entry is by audition or invitation only.
PROSILLIO ACADEMIC PROGRAM
The majority of our Full Time Trainees attend our on-site school.
The dancers are able to take advantage of the “Prosillio Academic Program” which is delivered on site by registered teachers in partnership with Ao Tawhiti. “Prosillio” is Latin for “to Leap Ahead”.
Every student enrolled in the Prosillio program develops an Individual Education Plan (IEP), which is established and reviewed during Individual Education Meetings (IEM) throughout the year. The IEM allows the student, their family, learning advisor, and coach to share their thoughts, discuss challenges, and set goals.
All students are tracked against The New Zealand Curriculum, and senior students can also complete the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). However, students do not follow a prescribed assessment route. Instead, each student works at a level that is appropriately challenging, and that reflects his or her particular needs, interests, and goals. To accommodate students’ busy training schedules, a responsive and flexible approach is adopted, which utilises online learning, one-to-one and small group mentoring, and workshop sessions.You learn through your passions, investing in your interests and undertaking learning that meets your needs.
INTERNATIONAL TRAINEES
We accept dancers from all over the world by audition into our Level Six and Seven programs.
Contact
450 Tuam Street
Christchurch
New Zealand
+64 21887263