The YYC Dance CONNECTed Nutcracker program provides an elite performance opportunity for Calgary & area ballet dancers age 8-21.

Our mission is to unite like-minded, passionate and technically refined ballet dancers by connecting them to a high quality performance and training opportunity, outside of their regular instruction.

Our Nutcracker corps de ballet & soloist dancers are selected from a variety of studios and communities throughout Southern Alberta, ranging in age from 8-21.  Dancers must be taking weekly ballet classes at a local dance training studio.

Auditions: Casting auditions will be held in person on Sunday August 24th,2025

Ages 8-12 - 9:45-10:45am
at Evolutions School of Dance.

Ages 13-21 - 11:15am-12:45PM
at Evolutions School of Dance.

Registration for the audition must be done ahead of time by clicking the appropriate link above. Dancers will participate in an audition class where a selection of choreography will be taught and then presented to the audition panel. Please wear ballet attire.

There is a $10 Audition fee.

*Please bring pointe shoes if you receive regular pointe training

Dancer's will be made aware of their role 48-72 hours after auditions. Dancer's and their parents must accept the role and associated fees in the follow up email.  Rehearsals: are held primarily on Sunday mornings beginning in September to the show weekend in mid December from 9:00am-12:30pm.  Some soloist roles will require additional rehearsals on select Friday/Saturday evenings depending on dancer and choreographer availability.  Dancers and parents are expected to make rehearsals a top priority.  

*Thanksgiving weekend is the exception as rehearsals will not be running that weekend.

Video Auditions:
Video audition submissions will be accepted for those who live outside of the Calgary area or cannot make the in-person audition date.

Please email [email protected] for our video submission criteria.  All video auditions must be submitted by 11:00pm on August 23rd 2025.

Program Costs:
Fees for this program ranges between $200-$300, depending on the dancer's role and rehearsal hours required.  

Costumes will be a mix of student owned and supplied by YYC CONNECTed.  There is a costume rental/cleaning fee of $20 per dancer.

Performance Weekend:
Our Nutcracker performance weekend will be December 12-14, 2025.

For more information, please email:

[email protected]

THE NUTCRACKER PERFORMANCE CLASS

For dancers age 5 - 8 years who take at least one full year dance class at a dance training studio. This option is for dancers who wish to be involved with our NUTCRACKER performance at an introductory commitment level.  

Nutcracker Performance classes run Sunday mornings from 9:00-9:45am, beginning in early October, and running until the performance dates (December 12-14, 2024). Dancers will also be required to attend one in studio dress rehearsal in early December (will stay until 10:30/11:00 on this day) and a technical rehearsal on the performance weekend.

$135+gst

The costume will be "fancy party" attire supplied by each family and approved by faculty.

Nutcracker Performance Class
Sunday 9:00-9:45am
October 5-December 14, 2025

Evolutions School of Dance:
YYC Dance CONNECTed presents

THE NUTCRACKER