L’École supérieure de Ballet du Québec

The École supérieure de ballet du Québec’s mission is to train dancers and creators meeting the highest criteria in the world of professional dance, in so doing, to promote the recognition, outreach and development of dance. Founded in 1952 by Ludmilla Chiriaeff and incorporated in 1966 at the request of Québec’s Ministère des Affaires culturelles, it is the reference in Québec for professional training in classical dance. The École supérieure is affiliated with Les Grands Ballets canadiens. It carries out its mission thanks to an annual grant from the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec and financial support from the Department of Canadian Heritage. A member of the Association des écoles supérieures d’art du Québec, L’École supérieure also acknowledges the collaboration of its educational partners, the Cégep du Vieux Montréal and the Pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie.

History and mission: The origins of L’École supérieure de ballet du Québec date back to the early 1950s. Ludmilla Chiriaeff, dancer, choreographer and dance teacher arrived in Montréal just as the very first French-language television network was launched. While Madame Chiriaeff lost no time in applying her talent and energy to Radio-Canada’s variety programs, she did not limit herself to the small screen. True to her pioneering spirit, she gave Québec society its first major classical dance company, establishing the Grands Ballets Canadiens, and L’École supérieure, its first national establishment dedicated to professional dance training. In 1966, at the request of the Québec Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Madame Chiriaeff incorporated L’École supérieure, which a few years later secured an independent charter.

In 1980, the parent institutions moved to the “Maison de la danse du Québec”, located on Plateau Mont-Royal, in a major hub of artistic training.L’École supérieure established the Bibliothèque de la danse Vincent-Warren, which has become Canada’s leading dance documentation centre.

When the Grands Ballets Canadiens moved to the Quartier des spectacles in 2017, L’École supérieure gets more space to develop its programs, which included the training of masters and piano accompanists, as well as recreational classes for children and adults.

Thanks to the long-standing affiliation between the École supérieure and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, many of our graduates have distinguished themselves with this major company, while others pursue their careers in classical and contemporary dance on the world's greatest stages.