Ballet Kelowna’s IN MOTION Program offers introductory to advanced-level ballet, pointe, and contemporary classes. Our facility has a state-of-the-art sprung dance floor, which is essential to the practice of ballet and other forms of dance. The studio will be open on evenings and weekends to offer programs for the benefit of the community. 

All IN MOTION classes are designed for adults. (18 years+)

 

PHOTO: Dancer Mckeely borger with in motion 2023 participants

 

Class Descriptions

Introduction to Ballet

The Introduction to Ballet class is for absolute beginners, and we strongly encourage participants with no experience to take two terms of this level before advancing to Beginner Ballet. Each 90-minute class will provide a sound foundation of classical ballet technique. Participants will explore ballet steps at the barre, as well as simple stationary combinations in the centre.

 

Introduction / Beginner Ballet

This class will revisit the foundations explored in the Introduction to Ballet classes while exploring some newer material found in the Beginner Ballet class towards the end of the term. This class is perfect for those who have taken our Introduction to Ballet previously and want a gradually transition to the next level.

Introduction / Beginner Ballet is for adults who have taken Introduction to Ballet or who have had at least one year of recent training in ballet. This class is also appropriate for adults who have taken at least two years of ballet as a child or teen.

 

Introduction to Contemporary

Introduction to Contemporary is for adults who are either currently enrolled or have taken the equivalent of our Beginner Ballet or higher, or who have had recent training in ballet or contemporary (at least two years). This is also appropriate for adults who have taken at least three years of ballet as a child or teen. This class will incorporate the foundations of floor work and the ability to get up and down from the floor is required.

Introduction to Contemporary uses the principles of mindfulness, release technique, Limón technique, Viewpoints and others to explore movements of the whole body through the space. This class creates a safe place for participants to focus inward, explore, laugh and connect! This class begins with a warm-up that brings awareness to the body followed by a series of exercises in the centre, across the room as well as floor work.

 

Beginner Ballet

Beginner Ballet is for adults who have taken Introduction to Ballet or who have had recent training in ballet (at least two years).  This class is also appropriate for adults who have taken at least three years of ballet as a child or teen.

Beginner Ballet helps improve strength, posture, flexibility and balance.  Participants will build on their classical ballet vocabulary and work to coordinate “port de bras” (movement of the arms and head) with movements of the legs and feet. This 90-minute class begins at the barre where students work on the foundations of ballet technique.  The barre is followed by centre work where participants work on simple turns and travelling sequences to develop grace and musicality.

Intermediate Ballet/Introduction to Pointe

Intermediate Ballet is for adult students who have taken Beginner Ballet or who have had a least three years of recent ballet training. This class will further expand the students’ knowledge of ballet terminology and steps while focusing on increased coordination of upper and lower body movements.

Add-on: Introduction to Pointe is for adult ballet students who wish to take their training one step further. For 30 minutes at the end of class, students will change shoes and work through beginner pointe exercises. Participants can expect to move back to the barre to work on rolling through the feet and strengthening the feet, ankles, and legs.

Advanced Ballet/Beginner Pointe

Advanced Ballet is for students who have taken Beginner and Intermediate Ballet or who have had at least four years of recent ballet training.  This class is also appropriate for adults who have taken at least five years of ballet as a child or teen.

In Advanced Ballet, participants continue to hone their classical ballet technique and expand their vocabulary.  This 90-minute class begins with a 45 - 60 minute barre where “port de bras” (movement of the arms and upper body) is integrated into each exercise and combinations to develop advanced coordination. The barre is followed by centre work where participants work on turning and travelling sequences as well as simple jumps. 

Add-on: Beginner Pointe is for adult ballet students who wish to take their training one step further. For 30 minutes at the end of class, students will change shoes and work through beginner pointe exercises. Participants can expect to move back to the barre to work on rolling through the feet and strengthening the feet, ankles, and legs.

 

IN MOTION FACULTY 

PHOTO: emily cooper

McKeely Borger

McKeely Borger is a member of the Saskatchewan Métis Nation from Regina. She has pursued her dance career internationally at Adelphi University in New York under full merit scholarship, Coastal City Ballet in Vancouver, Atlanta Ballet, and in France at Le Ballet de l’Opéra-Théâtre de Metz Metropole as a soloist. She was an original cast member of the mainstage production of Mickey & the Magician at Disneyland Paris in 2016. Before returning to Canada, Ms. Borger spent two years with Ballet Palm Beach, where she had the opportunity to dance George Balanchine’s Who Cares? as the ‘One and Only.’ Embarking on her fourth year with Ballet Kelowna, she has premiered new works by Canadian artists such as Kirsten Wicklund, Kunal Ranchod, and Cameron Fraser-Monroe. Alysa Pires’ Macbeth premiere in May 2022 was a career highlight, where she found delight portraying one of The Three Witches. Ms. Borger also loves sharing the joy of movement with our community as an instructor for IN MOTION. 

PHOTO: emily cooper

Desiree Bortolussi

Desiree Bortolussi was born in Kelowna on the unceded territory of the Syilx/Okanagan people. As a student, she participated in training programs across North America, including Ballet Kelowna’s very own Okanagan Summer Dance Intensive. Ms. Bortolussi went on to complete her training at The Canadian School of Ballet under the direction of Mel Brown and Lori Larson. In 2012, she was offered an apprenticeship with Ballet Kelowna and was invited to join the company as a full-time artist the following year. She has been fortunate to perform works by world-renowned artists such as John Alleyne, Joe Laughlin, James Kudelka, Simone Orlando, Alysa Pires, and many more. Now in her eleventh season, Ms. Bortolussi is proud to be a part of Ballet Kelowna’s diverse repertoire; some of her favourite roles range from classical works such as Blanche Dubois in John Alleyne’s A Streetcar Named Desire, to creating the role of Lady Macbeth in Macbeth by Alysa Pires. 

PHOTO: EMILY COOPER

Naomi Kawamura

Naomi Kawamura was born on the ancestral, unceded territory of the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, and Musqueam Nations (North Vancouver). She began her ballet training under Mary Burke in Richmond, BC, and continued her studies with Janet Gittens. At age fourteen, she moved to Toronto to study at Canada's National Ballet School (NBS). While at NBS, Ms. Kawamura participated in international exchange programs in London, Hamburg, and Copenhagen. After graduating from NBS in 2019, she expanded her expertise in ballet, modern, and improvisation techniques at the Palucca University of Dance in Dresden. While in Germany, Ms. Kawamura performed in the Semperoper Ballet’s productions of Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. Upon returning to Canada, she toured with Ballet Jörgen in their production of The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition and also performed with Coastal City Ballet in Vancouver. Since joining Ballet Kelowna in 2022, Ms. Kawamura has especially enjoyed performing as one of the four “Boons” in Robert Stephen’s Mustard. 

 

Photo: Emily Cooper

 

Joanna Lige

Joanna Lige is a graduate of the School of Toronto Dance Theatre, a RAD Registered Teacher, a Certified Progressing Ballet Technique Instructor, a member of the Council of Ontario Dance and Drama Educators, and a member of the International Association of Dance Science and Medicine.

She grew up in Kelowna and has trained with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, The Banff Centre for the Arts, Peggy Baker Dance Projects, and SITI Theatre Company.  She has performed work by Sharon Moore, Michael Trent, Danny Grossman, Julia Sasso, Peter Chin, José Limón, Bill James, and Sarah Chase. She has also collaborated with the Evolve Arts Collective and the Body Project and was recently invited to the FACT/SF Summer Dance Lab in San Francisco.


 

PHOTO: emily cooper

 

Kurt Werner

Kurt Werner is a graduate of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School’s Professional Division and has travelled abroad to Austria, England, Italy, New Zealand, and the US to further his development in classical, contemporary, and modern dance. In 2015, he was awarded the Brian Macdonald Dance Award during his participation in The Banff Centre’s Summer Professional Dance Program. While with Ballet Kelowna, Mr. Werner has enjoyed creating and performing such works as Petrushka and MAMBO, as they have helped let his personality shine on stage. In 2018, Mr. Werner founded the Evolve Arts Collective, a platform to share his choreographic works and expand his network with artists across all disciplines. He is grateful for opportunities to present his works at the Kelowna Fringe Festival and the Theatre on the Edge Fest while continuing to workshop new movement with fellow company dancers.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes! Our Introduction to Ballet class assumes you have no prior dance knowledge or experience, so we start with the fundamentals to build up your skills and confidence in the studio.

  • It is completely up to you. Some people like to start with intro or beginner as a “refresh” before moving on to intermediate and advanced classes, but if you’re looking for a challenge and are confident in your skills, you can absolutely start at a higher level. Recommendations for the minimum experience for each class is listed in the class descriptions above and on our registration page.

  • IN MOTION is specifically designed for adults - participants range in age from 18-80!

  • All classes take place at the Ballet Kelowna studio at 2283 Leckie Road in Kelowna, BC (T-junction of Leckie Rd and Hunter Rd).

  • Ballet Kelowna currently uses Dance Studio Pro, a dance class software that allows you to register online. You will need to create an account on Dance Studio Pro, click register, which will take you to the current list of classes available, and then check the classes you want to participate in before clicking submit.

    If a class is full, there will be an option to be added to the wait list. If you have any problems registering, please email Kurt Werner at inmotion@balletkelowna.ca

  • Students may either register for the full term online or arrange for a drop-in class by emailing Kurt Werner at inmotion@balletkelowna.ca

    • Registering for the full term is designed for students who plan to commit to the entire term. This guarantees you a spot in the class every week and the cost per class is lower.

    • If you prefer the flexibility of taking class on your own schedule, or know you will miss more than one class per term, the single class drop-in option may be more appropriate.

    • Please note that the single class drop-in is only available in classes that are not at full capacity. It may not be used for the Pointe add-ons without attending the prior ballet class and drop-ins for the Introduction to Ballet Class is on a case-by-case basis.

    • Ballet Kelowna reserves the right to refuse admittance to class if a student is at risk of injuring themselves or others.

  • Please email Kurt Werner at inmotion@balletkelowna.ca to arrange a single drop-in class.

    Please arrive a few minutes before the start of your class to process your payment or call 250-762-6105 to pay over the phone prior to your class.

  • You can pay via credit card when you register online.

    Alternative payment options:

    • In person: 2283 Leckie Rd (Visa, Mastercard, Discover or Debit)

    • Over the phone: 250-762-6105 (Have your card number ready)

    • Cheque made out to "Ballet Kelowna" at 2283 Leckie Rd

    Please note that credit card numbers are not kept on file for future sessions.

    If payment is not received by the first class of the session, we reserve the right to release the spot to another student.

  • There is no strict dress code, but comfortable exercise wear is recommended for all classes. (Yoga pants and t-shirt or leotard and tights).

    Ballet Class Footwear: Soft ballet shoes or socks.

    Contemporary and Creative Movement Footwear: Socks or bare feet.

    Please come dressed for class where possible.

  • There is one wheel-chair accessible washroom just inside the studio. There are no lockers or showers for public use. Bags and personal items are permitted in the studio and can be left along the walls. Food and drinks are not permitted in the studio, with the exception of water. Please ensure you bring a full bottle of water as there isn’t an option to refill.

  • There is parking on Leckie Road and Hunter Road, as well as at the side and rear of the Ballet Kelowna building.

  • You can schedule a make-up class in one of the other classes offered that term. To arrange a make-up class, please email Kurt Werner at inmotion@balletkelowna.ca

    For our refund policy, click here