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Vancouver’s dance community is about to step into a new era. While the city has long been recognized for its thriving contemporary scene, a fresh arrival is set to bring classical ballet back into the spotlight. Choreographer and artistic visionary Joshua Beamish has announced the launch of Ballet Vancouver Performance Series (Ballet Vancouver), a non-profit company devoted to classical, neoclassical, and narrative ballet en pointe.
The company’s inaugural performances will take place April 23–25, 2026, at the Vancouver Playhouse with a mixed program featuring four works. Beamish describes the timing as ideal, noting that while the city is home to celebrated institutions like Ballet BC and Goh Ballet, there has been no regular access to professional classical ballet danced en pointe.
“Vancouver has a wealth of exceptional contemporary dance companies and presenters,” Beamish said in a release. “But this moment felt perfectly primed to launch this new Company, to serve and represent the diverse population of Vancouver.”
For audiences, the debut promises a chance to see classical ballet at the highest international level without leaving the city. For young dancers, it represents a pathway of possibility. And for the broader arts community, Ballet Vancouver offers an ambitious new stage to showcase some of the best in the business.
From MOVETHECOMPANY to Ballet Vancouver
Beamish is no stranger to building institutions. At just 17, he founded his own company, Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY, which has grown into a respected international presenter over the past two decades. Through it, he has commissioned and performed work across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and has collaborated with some of the world’s top artists and ensembles.
Under the banner of MOVETHECOMPANY, Beamish has brought dancers from the Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and the National Ballet of Canada to Vancouver stages, establishing a reputation for international-calibre programming. That track record has provided both the inspiration and the model for Ballet Vancouver’s direction.
“Ballet Vancouver will carry on this objective of bringing the ballet world’s most accomplished performers to our city,” Beamish explains. Unlike his project-based work with MOVETHECOMPANY, Ballet Vancouver is designed to be a consistent presence: a home season rooted in Vancouver, coupled with national and international touring.
This dual structure—balancing local identity with global reach—has long defined Beamish’s career. Born in Edmonton and raised in Kelowna, he moved to Vancouver in 2004 and quickly gained recognition as a choreographer whose works have been commissioned by The Royal Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, and Cape Town Opera, among others. Ballet Vancouver is a natural extension of both his artistic trajectory and his commitment to building opportunities for the next generation of dancers.
International prestige meets homegrown artistry
The debut program reflects that global-local balance. Headlining the bill is Christopher Wheeldon’s After the Rain, a two-part work that has become a modern classic and will be performed in Vancouver for the first time. Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Redemption will also feature, a narrative-driven piece about a fallen angel, as well as Wen Wei Wang’s Swan, a daring contemporary reinterpretation of Swan Lake. Beamish himself contributes a new work created in collaboration with Indigenous artist and fashion designer Yolonda Skelton, further grounding the company in Vancouver’s diverse cultural landscape.
The dancers assembled for the debut reflect Beamish’s extensive international network. Stephanie Petersen, formerly of American Ballet Theatre and the Australian Ballet, is confirmed as part of the inaugural cast. Vancouver-born Benjamin Freemantle, who has danced with San Francisco Ballet, returns to his hometown stage, joined by Julian Hunt, known for his work with Crystal Pite’s Kidd Pivot.
Beamish has made clear that this is only the beginning. He envisions a company that blends internationally recognized stars with emerging Canadian talent, creating a cross-pollination that enriches both. It’s a model that mirrors his past work with MOVETHECOMPANY, where the likes of The Royal Ballet’s principal dancers performed alongside rising Canadian artists, thrilling local audiences while inspiring young students.
“Ballet Vancouver will enliven a consistent presence for classical, neoclassical, and narrative ballet en pointe,” Beamish says. “It will also serve as a bridge—connecting Vancouver audiences and dancers to the global ballet community.”
Inspiring the next generation
While its debut promises high-profile names and polished productions, Ballet Vancouver also carries a mandate for mentorship and education. The company intends to work closely with local training institutions to create pathways from the classroom to the stage.
“As we build a consistent ensemble of dancers, we will collaborate with Vancouver’s pre-professional training institutions to support a path toward professional opportunities for local students,” Beamish explains. This commitment is particularly meaningful for young dancers in the Lower Mainland, many of whom must currently leave Vancouver to pursue professional careers in classical ballet.
Heather Ogden, principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada and a member of Ballet Vancouver’s advisory committee, knows firsthand the impact that professional performances can have on aspiring students. “As a ballet student from the Lower Mainland, I always enjoyed seeing the classical companies as they came through,” she recalls. “The performances would give me endless motivation, as well as strengthen the determination in my own training. I’m sure that Ballet Vancouver will serve as a wonderful inspiration for the current generation of promising young dancers as well.”
The company is also committed to honouring the cultural context of its home. Cynthia Robinson, board president of Ballet Vancouver, emphasized the importance of grounding the organization in place. “As a proud Coast Salish Stó:lō woman, I am honoured to lead this organization on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations,” she said. “These lands have long been a vibrant hub for storytelling, ceremony, and artistry—since time immemorial.”
Building for the future
Ballet Vancouver is launching with strong support from both the community and the wider dance world. Its advisory committee includes New York City Ballet’s associate artistic director Wendy Whelan, National Ballet of Canada’s Heather Ogden, and Goh Ballet director Chan Hon Goh—names that carry immense weight in the ballet sphere.
The company will initially operate out of The Dance Centre and Q7 Studios while seeking a permanent home. Before its official debut, audiences will get a first look at Ballet Vancouver: An Exclusive Preview on Nov. 20, 2025, at Q7 Studios. The evening will include excerpts from the upcoming April program and offer patrons a chance to support the company’s ambitious vision from the outset.
Tickets for the preview are already available, with tickets for the April premiere set to go on sale in January. More details can be found at balletvancouver.com.
Looking ahead, Beamish sees Ballet Vancouver not just as a company, but as a cornerstone of the city’s cultural life. With a commitment to presenting regular home seasons, touring nationally and internationally, and fostering the next wave of talent, Ballet Vancouver aims to secure a permanent place on the world stage.
Ballet Vancouver is more than a new company for one city—it is a bold addition to Canada’s national dance scene. By bringing internationally acclaimed artists to Vancouver, commissioning innovative works, and nurturing emerging talent, it strengthens the country’s network of classical and neoclassical ballet. The company not only provides Canadian audiences with world-class performances at home but also positions Vancouver as a key hub in the international ballet community. For young dancers across Canada, Ballet Vancouver offers inspiration and professional pathways, helping ensure that the next generation of Canadian artists can thrive without leaving their home provinces. In doing so, it promises to enrich the country’s cultural fabric and elevate Canada’s presence on the global ballet stage.