The Company

OUR DEDICATION TO THE STUDENTS

Mandate

The Royal City Youth Ballet Company is a unique society of young people gathered to do what they love – classical ballet. These dancers attend weekly classes at their individual dance schools and meet regularly to attend company classes and rehearse full length ballets such as The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Coppelia. Students will grow and develop through exposure to many teaching styles and opportunities for performance. For example, in 2023 the Company performed The Nutcracker numerous times to sold out audiences in Abbotsford, New Westminster, Surrey and Duncan.

The Royal City Youth Ballet Company is a registered Society formed in 1989. The Company bridges the gap between dance schools and professional companies. In this sense, Royal City Youth Ballet Company is the only Company of its kind in Canada! We are a non-profit organization which presents productions with professional choreography, costumes, sets and lighting. Performing at a high level is a dream for many dancers, and we’re thrilled to provide that opportunity to them.

We, the Board of Directors of the Royal City Youth Ballet Company Society, believe that by bringing these young and dedicated dancers together, we are not only training them to be better dancers, but are also helping them prepare for life. The qualities that are enhanced in these dancers are discipline, work ethic, responsibility, maturity, co-operation, and an appreciation of the arts. They also learn to give back to their communities by providing free, high quality entertainment to groups such as schools, hospitals, seniors’ homes, and charity fundraisers. Our Company members act as goodwill ambassadors of culture, representing RCYB, our community, province and Canada.

The Royal City Youth Ballet Company is a registered Society formed in 1989. The Company bridges the gap between dance schools and professional companies. In this sense, Royal City Youth Ballet Company is the only Company of its kind in Canada! We are a non-profit organization which presents professional productions with professional choreography, costumes, sets and lighting. Performing at a high level is a dream which every dancer possesses and each deserves the opportunity. 

We, the Board of Directors of the Royal City Youth Ballet Company Society, believe that by gathering together these young dedicated dancers, we are helping them prepare for life. The qualities that are enhanced in these dancers are discipline, work ethic, responsibility, maturity, co-operation in working as a team, enjoyment and an appreciation of the arts. They learn that they have a responsibility to “give something back” to their communities by sharing experiences gained and providing high quality volunteer entertainment to groups such as schools, hospitals, senior citizens’ homes, and numerous charity fund raisers. As well, our Company acts as goodwill ambassadors of culture, representing our community, province and Canada. What they bring to their chosen profession and to our society as a result of their years of training is our prime goal.

Board of Directors: 

Alexander Schwartz | Irene Mauro | Kristine Gosselin | Erin Dosman | Deborah Jorgenson | Jennifer Roy | Morgan McQueen

Artistic Director: 

Keitha Campeau

Sarah Sankovic

History

A very successful production of Coppelia in the spring of 1989 was the inspiration to form the Royal City Youth Ballet Company. Company Manager, Donna Fishwick, and Artistic Director, Dolores Kirkwood OBC, recognized the need for a youth company to “bridge the gap between dance studio and professional company.” In September 1989, the Royal City Youth Ballet Company Society of New Westminster was founded by a board of six directors. It now involves dancers from dance studios from around the Lower Mainland who rehearse and perform full length ballets with professional artistic direction, costumes, sets and lighting.

The Company has performed in theatres throughout the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and Alberta and have represented our community in Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm in California, Disney World in Florida, and aboard the Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian and Carnival Cruise Line ships.

“The Nutcracker has succeeded year after year because it brings together the craft of professionals and passion of students, along with beautiful costumes, fantastic sets and the magical story,” said past artistic director Dolores Kirkwood, OBC. “Using professionals in the crew and for the more complex roles adds to our audience appeal, as well as showing students where their hard work can take them.”

A special tribute to Camilla Fishwick-Kellog, who choreographed much of our first performance and donated her time and talents to the Royal City Youth Ballet Company for over 30 years.