Spring Seminar

March 14 - 20, 2027

The Spring Seminar is a week-long workshop with international teachers for dance students aged 11-18 yrs, held at The Dance Centre, 677 Davie Street in Vancouver. Auditions are required.

Sign Up

For one week during March break, the VBS brings in accomplished teachers from Canada and abroad to lead the dance intensive, culminating in a presentation of both intermediate and advanced levels. Students spend half the day in ballet classes and the other half of the day in contemporary classes, coming together for lunch time presentations and meetings.

At the end of the week-long intensive, the students present a performance in the Faris Theatre. The guest faculty select students who will be awarded scholarships, which they receive at the performance. Each year through fundraising efforts, approximately $20,000 are awarded to young dancers from British Columbia. The VBS has been doing this for the past 52 years.

$600 + GST

Tuition

March 14 - 20, 2027

Spring Seminar Dates

Age 11+

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS

Intermediate

11 – 14* years old
Minimum Cecchetti Grade 5/6, or
RAD Intermediate Foundation,
or their equivalent.

Advanced

14* – 18 years old
Minimum Cecchetti Intermediate, or
RAD Advanced 1,
or their equivalent.

*14 year olds: Audition in the level matching your qualifications. The adjudicator will decide placement in either Intermediate or Advanced.

Must be a VBS member to attend the Spring Seminar and be eligible for scholarships.

Must be 11 years old by March 14, 2027.

Cost: $600 + GST
Non-refundable

BECOME A MEMBER

AUDITION

IN-PERSON AUDITION

Registration deadline:
Monday, November 30, 2026
Date: Sunday, January 17, 2027
Location: The Dance Centre
Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

Cost: $45 (includes GST)
Non-refundable

Advanced

10:00am – 11:30am (Group 1)
11:45am – 1:15pm (Group 2)

Intermediate

1:45 – 3:00pm (Group 1)
3:15 – 4:30pm (Group 2)

VIDEO AUDITION

Registration deadline:
Monday, November 30, 2026
Video submission deadline:
Monday, November 30, 2026
Refer here to Video Audition Guidelines

Cost: $55 (includes GST)
Non-refundable

SIGN UP

Scholarship Eligibility

To be eligible to receive a scholarship with the Vancouver Ballet Society during Spring Seminar, you must meet these requirements:

• Be 11-18 years old
• Be a BC resident and training in BC
• Minimum Cecchetti Grade 5/6 or RAD Inter Foundation, or their equivalent
• Current membership with VBS
• Must attend the audition (in-person or video)
• Must participate in 75% of the Spring Seminar

Our 2027 Spring Seminar Audition Teacher

Nicola Earl

Nicola Earl is an accomplished dance professional, graduating from the Teacher Training program at the Royal Ballet School in London, England. Her performance during three years’ of study, earned Nicola Earl the 1998 Dame Ninette de Valois award for teaching excellence.

For nine years, Nicola Earl was on faculty at the London Studio Centre, an institution specializing in Performing Arts education. As Head of Year, she provided individual guidance to first- and second-year students. Nicola Earl also collaborated with physiotherapists to create rehabilitation programs to support injured dancers. During this time, she assisted in European audition tours to recruit dancers for Margaret Barbieri’s company, Images of Dance.

Since moving to Vancouver, Nicola Earl has contributed significantly to the Lower Mainland dance community for over 20 years. She has guest taught at Ballet BC and adjudicated at various festivals. Nicola Earl incorporates the knowledge gained from Progressive Ballet Technique training into her teaching. She continues to impart her knowledge and passion for dance to all students, guiding them towards achieving their individual artistic aspirations.

Our 2027 Spring Seminar Teachers

Amanda Bennett - Ballet

Born in Amarillo, Texas, USA, Amanda Bennett received her training at the School of American Ballet in New York. Her teachers included Stanley Williams, Suki Schorer, and Alexandra Danilova, among others.

Her professional career started at the Ballet du Grand Théatre de Genéve – Artistic Director, George Balanchine, and acting Director, Patricia Neary. From 1978 to 1989 she was engaged as Principal Dancer with the Basel Ballet under the direction of Heinz Spoerli, and subsequently joined Pennsylvania Ballet (now Philadelphia Ballet).

Amanda Bennett is a Certified Teacher of the American Ballet Theatre National Training curriculum and has served as a member of the jury for many international competitions such as the Prix de Lausanne, The McDonald’s Performing Arts Challenge Australia (now Sidney Eisteddfod), Youth America Grand Prix, and the Vaganova Competition in St. Petersburg.

From 2012 to 2016, Amanda Bennett served as the Artistic Director of the Prix de Lausanne. During her tenure, she expanded the Health and Well Being Program, introduced choreographers, including Goyo Montero and Mauro Bigonzetti to the event, and was responsible for launching the first live-streaming of the competition.

From 2001 – 2023, Amanda Bennett was Director of the Ballettschule Theatertanz Basel, Switzerland.

In 2015, she was awarded the Heinz Spoerli Foundation prize for her outstanding work and contribution to dance education.

Amanda Bennett, currently a freelance teacher and coach, is a frequent Guest Teacher at the European School of Ballet in Amsterdam.