Alumni

Alumni Page

We want to keep in touch with the dancers we’ve helped on their career path. If you or someone you know is a VBS Alumni please have them fill out this form (create this as a link to the form) and send it in to the VBS office. Any personal information we receive from dancers will be kept confidential. Please feel free to send us your testimonials and updates about where you are, where you’ve been and where you’re going.

Celine Gittens - Royal Birmingham Ballet

Vancouver Ballet Society Scholarship winner 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
“I was very privileged to be exposed to Vancouver Ballet Society master classes which allowed me to learn from teachers from around the world. The enthusiasm and care the Society showed in me was very encouraging. I am now working with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, touring and performing around the world and I thank Vancouver Ballet Society for helping me further my career in dance and reach my goals.”

Heather Ogden - National Ballet of Canada

Vancouver Ballet Society Scholarship winner 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998,
“While growing up in Vancouver dancing was always my passion and the Vancouver Ballet Society was a huge support in helping me reach my goals. I am proud to say I was trained at the Richmond Academy of Dance and feel fortunate that VBS provided young dancer’s exposure to internationally renowned teachers through master classes and the annual Spring Seminar. VBS was also a huge financial support to me. The scholarships I received helped me to pay for numerous summer school programs, and finally my audition tour that lead me to my professional career at the National Ballet of Canada. I am so glad to know that the dancers of Vancouver are in such great supportive hands!”

Briane Bland - The Washington Ballet

Vancouver Ballet Society Scholarship Winner 1993, 1994, 995, 1996, 1997

Justin Peck - Phantom of the Opera

Vancouver Ballet Society Scholarship Winner, 1996
National Ballet School, 1999
Alberta Ballet 1999-2001
Ballet BC 2001-2003
Cedar Lake (New York) 2003-2004
Movin' Out 2004-2006
Metropolitan Opera 2008
Phantom of the Opera 2006-
Come Fly Away 2009-

Alex Wong - Miami City Ballet

Vancouver Ballet Society Scholarship Winner 2001, 2002, 2003

Rachel Van Buskirk - Atlanta Ballet

Vancouver Ballet Society Scholarship Winner 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

Mark MacKillop - Atlanta Ballet

Vancouver Ballet Society Scholarship Winner 2004, 2005

Tara Williamson - Alberta Ballet

Vancouver Ballet Society Scholarship Winner 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

Nicole Ciapponi - San Francisco Ballet

Vancouver Ballet Society Scholarship winner 2006, 2007, 2008.
The Vancouver Ballet Society played an important role in my career by exposing me to world class teachers through both the Spring Seminar sessions and Master Classes put on by the VBS. The VBS also contributed funding which I used to advance my dance studies which played a role in my growth as a dancer. I always looked forward to the Spring Seminar as it exposed me to different teachers and the styles that they brought with them. In 2008, the VBS brought in Patricia Barker, former principal dancer with the Pacific Northwest Ballet and internationally renowned ballerina, who became my mentor. I am forever grateful to the Vancouver Ballet Society for being so supportive in my career and contributing to my professional career with the San Francisco Ballet.