About Us
Chris Larsen - Summer Intensive Director
Chris is a graduate of the National Ballet School of Canada. Dancing with Ballett-Art François Klaus in Switzerland, the Hong Kong Ballet and the prestigious Birmingham Royal Ballet where he danced for 10 years and retired in the position of Soloist. He danced in a large range of roles from corps de ballet through to principle parts in many of the great classics as well numerous new works, and also had the opportunity to have roles created on him. Throughout his career he had the opportunity to be on many international tours and dance in international Galas. Since retiring from professional dance, Chris received The Professional Dancers Teaching Diploma from the Royal Academy of Dance and returned home to British Columbia.
Chris has adjudicated for Danceworks Festival in Victoria, and the Kootenay Festival of the Arts in Trail, B.C. Often called upon by the RAD to guest-coach workshops and seminars, Chris has also guest taught for intensives in Vancouver, Toronto, LA, and Prince George and most recently was invited to guest teach at the Victoria Academy of Ballet.
Chris started teaching at The Canadian School of Ballet in 2014 and is part of the artistic staff for CSB's Nutcracker and along with Emma Donley, created CSB's Pre-Professional Program and Dance Training Okanagan.
Emma Donley - Summer Intensive Director
Emma trained in the R.A.D. Ballet method, and with coaching from Mel Brown, Loretta Lachner, and Penny Hudson, Emma achieved the highest level examination (Advanced 2) in 2002. Emma received scholarships to train at dance programs with Alberta Ballet School and the Banff Centre for the Arts. Emma has worked with many great instructors such as David LaHay (Ballet Kelowna), Susan Toumine (Banff Centre for the Arts), Annette Av Paul (Banff Centre for the Arts), and Lisette Salgado and David Lucas (Royal Winnipeg Ballet). Emma performed with Velocity Dance Company, Josh Beamish, a demi-soloist role with Ballet Kelowna in "La Sylphide", and the role of Sugar Plum Fairy at the Canadian School of Ballet's Nutcracker, coached by David LaHay and Susan Toumine. Emma has been teaching at The Canadian School of Ballet since 2000 under the mentorship of Mel Brown, attaining her R.A.D Teaching Certificate in 2001. Emma is part of the artistic staff for CSB's Nutcracker and along with Chris Larsen, created CSB's Pre-Professional Program and Dance Training Okanagan.
The Canadian School of Ballet Pre-Professional Program
In September 2015, The Canadian School of Ballet launched the Okanagan's first Pre-Professional Half Day Training Program. With over 75 years history of training dancers in a professional environment, it is the goal of CSB’s Pre-Professional Program to continue the legacy of Gwenneth Lloyd and Betty Farrally with establishing excellence in dance in Canada. Two CSB faculty members, Chris Larsen and Emma Donley, created this Program for students wishing to receive a high level of intensive training. With training and coaching by our highly qualified instructors and award winning choreographers, the Program provides RAD Syllabus and Exam preparation, Open Classes, Pointe, Modern, Conditioning, Classical Repertoire and Choreography, with opportunities to prepare for local and international ballet competitions and local performances. Students are expected to train with a professional attitude and approach.
The dedicated dancers in our Program train a minimum of 15 hours/week in pursuit of excellence in the artistry and technique of ballet and modern dance. The Pre-Professional Program takes place during the school day 3 hours/day, 5 days/week. Students meet the requirements to graduate from high school while in the Program and Okanagan Mission Secondary School and Kelowna Secondary School along with other local high schools work with students to arrange schedules for the dancers to coordinate with our program so that they do not miss any academic classes. Students are encouraged to excel in their academics as well as their dancing, so that they graduate with a full range of opportunities. It is our desire that dancers from all over the Province may benefit from the Pre-Professional Program and have the opportunity to reach their potential. The Okanagan has a growing arts scene along with a growing climate for elite athletes and we are proud to play our part in building this in our community. We look forward to seeing this Program continue to excel.
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