About Us
About Us
Founded in 1979, Canterbury Ballet has been both nationally and internationally recognised for its exceptional dance training.
Founded by Taisia Missevich, over the past 50 years, Canterbury Ballet has transformed beginner dancers into professional calibre artists who have gone on to achieve fantastic careers in dance. Whether you are looking to nurture a passion and joy for dance or are embarking on a journey towards a career in dance, we have a class that’s right for you.
The guiding principles of Canterbury Ballet are to develop not only dancers but also well-rounded individuals, leaders and teachers. We aim to foster a supportive environment where students can develop the abilities necessary to work as professional dancers or find inspiration and joy in the freedom of expression which only dance can offer. When you join Canterbury Ballet, you will be accepted into a family of like-minded individuals to learn and grow alongside of, while training in a holistic and professional environment.
Canterbury Ballet has nurtured over 50 years worth of CB family, with its past students returning with their own children many years later to embark on the same journey which they themselves experienced as young dancers. Canterbury Ballet has a large variety of classes for every skill level from beginner to Pre-Professional.
The CB Students and Graduates stand out in their chosen dance pathways for their strong technical and artistic capabilities. Please visit our Alumni page for an extensive list of past CB students living their dream as professional dance artists both in New Zealand, and around the world.
ABT National Training Curriculum
Canterbury Ballet students are trained in the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) National Training Curriculum. Canterbury Ballet is proud to be the only fully accredited school in New Zealand for this curriculum.
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, ABT’s National Training Curriculum was designed and written by Franco De Vita and Raymond Lukens in collaboration with ABT’s Artistic Advisors and the Medical Advisory Board.
ABT’s National Training Curriculum assists beginning through advanced teachers in training dance students to use their bodies correctly by focusing on kinetics, coordination, anatomy, and proper body alignment. Artistically, 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.
Students who participate in the annual ABT Exams have the opportunity to work with internationally renowned dancers and tutors in a workshop and examination capacity.