History

Ballet Kelowna
An Exquisitely Choreographed Story

Every once in a while a story starts its journey in a distant place and time and comes full circle: with storylines dancing together, weaving the past, present and future to come together to create a magical tapestry of new beginnings.  Ballet Kelowna is in it's seventh year but it is deeply rooted in Canadian dance geneaology through The Canadian School of Ballet.  It is the culmination of passion, commitment, hard work and a strong sense of 'Yes we can' that has given life to Ballet Kelowna.

In 1938, Dr. Gweneth Lloyd, O.C. and Betty Farrally, O.C., emigrated from Leeds, England to establish The Canadian School of Ballet in Winnipeg.  One year later they formed The Winnipeg Ballet Club, which received its Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.  Lloyd and Farrally were also influential in the development of the Dance Program at the Banff Centre of the Arts serving as directors for nearly forty years. 

In 1959 Lloyd and Farrally moved The Canadian School of Ballet to the Okanagan Valley.  The duo mentored today's directors, Mel Brown and Lori Larson, to principal and develop the school.  Now in its 71st year, The CSB has developed and inspired thousands of children through the magical movement of dance.   The school is committed to introducing young children to the joy of dance, the wonder of performance and the development of poise, grace and self-confidence.
 
Brown and Larson, taking Lloyd and Farrally’s vision one step further, presented David LaHay, then working as the Associate Director of the Banff Centre of the Arts dance program, with the idea of creating a professional dance company in Kelowna. With the support and encouragement of Myles and Stephani Bruckal and a small, enthusiastic and tireless Board of Directors, and Brian Macdonald, Annette av Paul and Arnold Spohr as Honourary Chairs, LaHay accepted the invitation, and with his artistic vision moved the dream into reality.  A short seven years later, LaHay and his dance company of Canadian artists, stage the work of leading Canadian choreographers in Ballet Kelowna’s signature “inno-classical” style, gaining bravos from audiences throughout BC and respect from the national dance world.  Ballet Kelowna inspires, educates and entertains through the energy and artistry of ballet and has the great honour to share our inaugural subscription series with The Royal Winnipeg Ballet … sometimes a story is simply divinely choreographed. 

We invite you to celebrate the circle coming together in 2009/2010 and to Be Moved with the triumphant return of The Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the beauty, power and excitement of Ballet Kelowna’s Fall and Spring presentations.