Here's how you can audition for Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet School

Johanne Gingras of the Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet teaches a master class for participants during a day of auditions in Ottawa on Thursday. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)

It’s the stuff dreams are made of - performing on stage as part of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division (RWB School) is holding in-person auditions across Canada, and virtually. On Thursday, auditions were held at the School of Dance in Ottawa's New Edinburgh neighbourhood.

“We're here in Ottawa today to select some dancers to come and study with us next summer in Winnipeg," Johanne Gingras, Teacher Training Program Director – Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, tells CTV News Ottawa.

"And then from that process and phase two, then we'll possibly accept them into the fall program, into the full-time program."

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This is where those seeking a career in ballet are given an opportunity.

"It could be like a sort of a long process to get there. But this is mainly our goal to make sure that one day they're going to be on stage somewhere in Canada and around the world,” adds Gingras.

According to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Alumni have gone on to all facets of the dance industry around the world and currently make up 81 per cent of the RWB company and over half of the RWB School’s artistic faculty.

Eleven-year-old Cade Rowsome travelled with his father from Kingston to audition. "It's my dream to become a professional dancer,” he said. Rowsome says he’s been dancing since the age of two. "I feel like dance really lets me be myself and I love just connecting to the music."

Part of the day of auditions included a "master class," where participants could pick up tips from the pros.

"It was really good. It was really fun. And it felt like a new point of view," says Evelyn Graham, who also auditioned.

Missed it? Virtual auditions possible

If you miss the auditions in Ottawa, you can participate in Toronto on Nov 8. There is still an opportunity to showcase your talent through virtual auditions and video submissions.  More information can be found at rwb.org/auditions.

Upcoming locations of the 2024/2025 auditions:

• Toronto – November 8 at Bayview School of Ballet
• Vancouver – January 12 at Arts Umbrella, Granville Island
• Winnipeg – January 24 at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet
• Saskatoon – January 26 at Brenda’s School of Baton & Dance
• Virtual Auditions – November 22, 2024, January 31 and February 28
• Auditions Virtuelles (en français) – January 17