Growing up in Venezuela, Serenella discovered her love for ballet but as she grew, she witnessed how the ballet space wasn’t always welcoming for diverse folks. So she created Ballet Bodies YYC – a non-profit organization that offers dancers a safe and welcoming space that celebrates diversity.
By Kayla MacIntosh, 2024
The squeaking of ballet shoes and collective heavy breaths serve as subtle undertones beneath soft piano music. Floor to ceiling windows expose the reaching highrises of downtown Calgary, enfolding the Calgary Tower in the centre – a stunning backdrop for a ballet class.
But this isn’t just any ballet class. This is Ballet Bodies YYC (BBYYC) – a dance organization founded on the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Some might believe these in conjunction with ballet to be an oxymoron, however, this common perception of the exclusivity of ballet is what propelled founder Serenella to create BBYYC.
“I remember going to my first ballet – The Dying Swan.” Serenella recounts, seeing her first performance in Venezuela at the age of three. “It’s a solo piece where the dancer comes in, her back is to the audience, and she’s just moving her arms. I still remember that image. I thought she was floating…After that I said, ‘I want to go to ballet class,’ and since then it’s been part of my life.”
But the love affair between Serenella and ballet hasn’t always been an easy one.
“It’s a very personal process for me to recognize that dance also has given me some bad experiences and some sad things as well.”
Like many dancers, Serenella was subjected to unrealistic body standards and at times struggled to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance in the ballet community. But that didn’t hold her back. In the midst of the pandemic in 2020, she created BBYYC and it’s been growing since.
Ballet Bodies YYC dancers posing together before a performance
The non-profit offers paid membership but also low-cost drop-in ballet classes, targeted towards a more advanced level. But the term ‘advanced’ does not mean exclusive. People of varying abilities are welcome to come try out a class.
“I really like the vision and the whole concept of the organization: it doesn’t matter your size, your age, or your body type. If you love ballet, you should have an opportunity to practice this art form.” Says Milena, a long-time member of BBYYC.
“Despite being fully aware of my limitations, I still find the idea of maintaining or even developing my abilities at this stage of my life very appealing.”
Milena is 55 and has been dancing since she was a little girl.
“I grew up in Russia and, like all Russian girls, started with ballet. Unfortunately, it became very apparent early on that my body’s not created for [professional] ballet.”
Milena (front) during a Ballet Bodies YYC class
This has never stopped Milena as she dances almost every day – taking classes with BBYYC as well as other styles of dance. She highlights the sense of community at Ballet Bodies, stating, “it’s a supportive, welcoming, safe environment to try new things.”
But the inclusivity doesn’t end with the dancers.
Performances are also built around the hope of being a place where anyone would feel comfortable and able to attend a dance performance. Tickets are priced on a sliding scale, with many spots being donated to those unable to afford it.
Serenella explains: “I’m hoping that kids who attend our shows can see themselves in that and think, ‘oh, ballet is not separate from other styles, I could do all of them and they can all belong in the same space’.”
BBYYC was created to help break down those barriers and preconceived notions of exclusivity. But it is by no means the only organization in Alberta furthering EDI in the recreation sector.
So if you are wanting to pursue or try out a beloved recreational activity but are unsure if you will feel welcomed or included – reach out! There are many organizations and spaces that aim to address EDI. Find your community where you can feel safe and supported in doing what you love, and if you can’t find it, create it!
20 years into the future…
By Beth Durnie
Over the last 20 years, Communities ChooseWell has been fostering healthy eating and active living in Alberta. Within the province, being active and eating well looks different in each community. To celebrate these unique contexts, Communities ChooseWell asked Champions about their personal relationship with healthy eating or active living over the last 20 years and what they hope for in their communities in the next 20.
Some specific hopes Serenella has for future programming include offering beginner and intermediate classes and classes tailored to people with disabilities. She is passionate about producing shows and wants to create more performance opportunities that are well-attended by diverse audiences.
In general, Serenella hopes to continue fostering a more open community by bringing different demographics together within and beyond the dance world.