North Shore Academy of Dancing is excited to introduce a new addition to our Programs! Starting in July 2025 we will be offering a ballet focused program. Designed for aspiring ballet dancers; this training program is specific to classical and contemporary ballet. The Ballet Étoile Program is exclusive to NSAD and has been thoughtfully put together for dancers to strengthen their ballet technique and create a unique experience with focus on both high quality training and performance opportunities. Smaller classes with support on building strength and flexibility, ballet vocabulary, stage experience and a deeper knowledge into the world of classical, neo-classical and contemporary ballet. This elite ballet program is being offered in three tiers, Junior (8yr-11yr), Intermediate (12yr-14yr) and Advanced (15yrs+). The program placement is by audition or invite with auditions held annually during the last weekend of May.

BALLET ÉTOILE

Directed by Sorami Moriyama & Tyler Carver, both highly valued ballet dancers and instructors in Vancouver and a husband and wife duo! They offer a wealth of knowledge in dance, they enjoy inspiring and coaching young dancers while sharing their experiences and helping others pursue their dreams!

Sorami Moriyama is a Royal Academy of Dancing Registered Teacher, she has completed her vocational R.A.D. Ballet examinations up to Advanced Two, as well, has been teaching for over a decade in both the lower mainland and internationally. Her students have experience in receiving distinction in examinations, competing in local competitions and at Youth American Grand Prix; her choreography has received multiple awards, most recently a young ballet group came first place overall at Dance Power Whistler. Growing up in Japan she trained extensively in classical ballet and moved to Canada to continue her training at the Goh Ballet pre-professional program in Vancouver. Sorami Moriyama is also on the faculty at Coastal City Ballet for weekly training classes for their professional dancers and at Harbour Dance Centre, the dance hub of the lower mainland.

Tyler Carver began training at the age of 12 at the Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver, BC, where he completed his RAD Advanced 2 exam with distinction. He completed a year of training at San Francisco Ballet School and then joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet as an Apprentice in 2014, was then promoted into the Corps de Ballet in 2015. Since joining the Company, he has had the opportunity to perform in such works as Giselle, Nutcracker (as the Nutcracker Prince), Going Home Star - Truth and Reconciliation, Swan Lake (as Spanish and Pas de Trois), Sleeping Beauty (as Blue Bird), Dracula (as Jonathan Harker) and many others. He also made a special appearance in the leading role of Solor in the RWB School Professional Division's performance of La Bayadere excerpts. He has extensive experience in partnering work and R.A.D. exam coaching. With his talent and performing experience we are very honoured to have him affiliated with North Shore Academy of Dancing and co-directing the Ballet Étoile Program.

PROGRAM OUTLINE:

•  Repertoire classes, Pas de Deux classes, Open Ballet classes, Strength/Conditioning, Pointe Training, RAD Syllabus classes and Performance classes
• Learning and building on ballet technique, contemporary technique and gaining confidence that will bring the best of your abilities forward so you shine like a star both in class and on stage.
• Choreography training and examination training, will include techniques on how to pick up combination of steps quicker and with more clarity.
• Guidance on improving performance quality.
• Gaining stage experience, performing in winter galas, competing in spring competitions and annual year-end ballet productions and movement in front of camera/concept videos.
• Individualized mentorship on goal setting and support for exam training, performance experiences and future endeavors.
• Useful tools on how to strengthen, increase flexibility and maintain both while executing movement.
• Industry discussions, how to audition, how to maintain healthy training, and basic history of classical, neo-classical ballets (specifically with regards to choreography, teachers, dancers, artists etc).

PROGRAM DETAILS:

Placement into the Ballet Étoile Program will be by invite or audition. Students have the opportunity to participate in various performances as well as community performances throughout the year and perform at NSAD's showcases. This program has the opportunity to add ballet competition group or solo/duo/trio for the spring dance competitions.

The ballet training program varies between 6 hours per week to 15 hours per week. The cost of classes are based on our tiered fee structure, as well as an additional monthly Program Fee GST to cover filming costs, guest instructors and other opportunities. To view our Class Fee Structure, please click here. To view our 2024/2025 Schedule, please click here. To let us know of your interest in joining Ballet Étoile please email: [email protected]

PROGRAM LEVELS:

Junior Ballet: 6-8 hours over three days (with the option of adding additional hours/days/genres)

• 2 weekly 30 min conditioning classes

• 1-2 weekly open ballet technique classes

• 2 weekly R.A.D. Ballet Exam Syllabus classes

• 1 performance group/choreography class

Intermediate Ballet: 8-10 hours (with the option of adding additional hours/days/genres)

• 2 weekly 30 min conditioning classes

• 1-2 weekly open ballet technique classes

• 2 weekly R.A.D. Ballet Exam Syllabus classes

• 1 weekly pointe class

• 1 performance group/choreography class

• 1 Flex Hour for Choreography and Pas de Deux Training

Advanced Ballet: 12-15hours (with the option of adding additional hours/days/genres)

• 2 weekly 30 min conditioning classes

• 2-3 weekly open ballet technique classes

• 2 weekly R.A.D. Ballet Exam Syllabus classes

• 2 weekly pointe class

• 1 performance group/choreography class

• 1 Flex Hour for Choreography and Pas de Deux Training

• 1 weekly Contemporary Ballet Training 

2025 BALLET ÉTOILE SUMMER INTENSIVE:

The Ballet Étoile Summer Intensive is being offered for one week in July (7th-11th) and one week in August (18th-22nd), to learn more (click here). The Intensive will include both faculty members and guest teachers and consist of daily foot conditioning, open ballet technique classes, pointe/repertoire, contemporary technique and choreography, Pilates, stretch and body conditioning. The end of the week will present a mini-production, an early evening performance to present and celebrate what the dancers learnt throughout the week. Registration is completed online: click here.