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Alberta Ballet returns to Red Deer YMCA with free youth classes

Nov 15, 2023 | 4:43 PM

Alberta Ballet is returning to Red Deer’s Northside Community Centre YMCA to offer free ballet classes to youth after a successful pilot program earlier this year. The partnership with the YMCA in Red Deer is the latest Alberta Ballet partnership aimed at increasing access to dance for youth across the province.

Free beginner ballet classes are being offered at the YMCA once a week until Nov. 27 and are available to kids, ages 6-9 and 10-16.

The classes are designed for local youth who experience barriers to participate in dance, the arts or other recreational programs. These barriers can include cost, sense of belonging, and transportation, to name a few.

Classes are offered at no charge and no previous dance experience is needed which opens the door for low-income families take advantage of the opportunity to let their kids explore a new activity.

Taryn Samson, Director of Alberta Ballet’s Community Programming, said the collaboration with the YMCA is increasing access to dance for youth of all ages and experience levels.

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“Exposure to dance is extremely beneficial for all ages, helping to improve coordination, musicality and self confidence,” Samson said. “Parents whose children have taken part are grateful to see their kids moving and having a good time, making new friends.”

“Having these opportunities, it’s just amazing to be able to let our children experience things they wouldn’t be otherwise be able to experience. To have something that is here, available and free and accessible to everyone is priceless– it is really just such an asset to the community.” – Parent of child who participated in the pilot program

The YMCA hopes this collaboration will inspire more youth to take part in an activity they wouldn’t have normally had the ability to experience.

“Alberta Ballet’s program at Northside Community Centre YMCA brings such a unique opportunity for our community. The initiative aligns with the YMCA’s commitment to deliver inclusive programming that allows our youth to discover their passions as they develop physically, socially, and emotionally,” says Vicki Wilson, General Manager, Northside Community Centre YMCA.

“Through exceptional expertise and accessible programming, youth will have increased opportunities to participate in arts and culture programming they may otherwise never have considered. We have already seen the positive impacts this program has on our community and are excited for more children and youth to have these experiences as we continue working with Alberta Ballet.”

Registration is open to 30 youth, referred by local youth serving agencies, schools and the YMCA. Classes started Oct.16 and run once per week until Nov. 27.

Register here.

(Alberta Ballet/YMCA media release)