2023 CDP-Training & Arabella and Robert Award for Dance winner Margarette Bernal. Photo: Laura Zeke
Margarette Bernal. Photo: Laura Zeke

Awards for Emerging Canadian Dance Artists

Thank you to all applicants. The 2023/24 deadline was April 12, 5:00 p.m. PT.

The Chrystal Dance Prize — Training is awarded annually and supports emerging western Canadian dance artists continuing full-time training at recognized international institutions outside of Canada. The Chrystal Dance Prize comprises two categories —Training and Projects — and is generated from a bequest made by Dance Victoria patron Dr. Betty “Chrystal” Kleiman to the Victoria Foundation. Between the two awards, approximately $55,000 is awarded to dance artists annually.

The Arabella and Robert Award for Dance is open to dancers from across Canada continuing their training at an international dance conservatory or institution and is generated from a fund established by Dance Victoria patrons Arabella Martin and Robert Britten, held at the Victoria Foundation.

In May 2024, a panel of local dance professionals selected three recipients, who were awarded a total of $8,535 to support their dance training abroad.

2023/24 CDP-Training Winners: (left to right) Avari Dodd, Natalie Martin, Anna Wang-Albini.
2023/24 CDP – Training Winners: (left to right) Avari Dodd. Photo: Laura Zeke; Natalie Martin. Photo: Dan T Suji; Anna Wang-Albini in Land of Salt. Photo: Joey Malbon.

Avari Dodd (she/her) from Vancouver Island, B.C. was awarded $4,000 through the Chrystal Dance Prize – Training. Avari will enter her first year as a Dance major in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program at Montclair State University (New Jersey) this fall. Avari’s involvement in local pre-professional dance companies Helix Dance Theatre (2023-2024) and Nanaimo Contemporary Ballet (2019-2023) have prepared her for productions in post-secondary and a future career as a dance artist. She has represented the North Island and Nanaimo districts at the B.C. Festival of Arts Provincials since 2019 in the Stage and Modern disciplines. In addition to Modern and Ballet, Dodd has been training in tap dance for 14 years and had the honour of representing Canada at the Dance World Cup in Portugal in 2019.

Natalie Martin from Gibsons, B.C. was awarded $2,535 through the Arabella and Robert Award for Dance to pursue her studies at the Miami City School of Ballet (MCSB). Natalie began her professional training with Waldorf Ballet in Sechelt, B.C. She has earned numerous nominations at the Performing Arts B.C. Provincial Festival, where she won the Intermediate Ballet category in 2021 and received second place in the Senior Ballet category in 2022. She has attended summer intensive programs at Boston Ballet and Miami City Ballet and was accepted on scholarship at The Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia, where she also received an invitation to compete in the 2023 Youth American Grand Prix Finals in Tampa Bay. This spring, Natalie has been training with MCSB and will attend Pacific Northwest Ballet School’s Summer Course in July before returning to MCSB in the fall.

Anna Wang-Albini (they/she) from Vancouver, B.C. was awarded $2,000 through the Chrystal Dance Prize – Training to study at Nuova Officina della Danza (NOD) in Italy. They hold a BA (Hons.) of Fine Arts in dance from Simon Fraser University and trained in contemporary dance with EDAM dance company and the Training Society of Vancouver under a scholarship this past year. Anna has worked with The Falling Company (2023), Alexandra Caprara (2023), Rob Kitsos (2022-23), Bard on the Beach (2022), and Tin Gamboa (2022). They are actively choreographing while also pursuing training and performing opportunities.

Briana Del Mundo

Guidelines and Application Procedure

The Chrystal Dance Prize – Training and the Arabella and Robert Award for Dance supports young dancers completing their training at an international dance institution. The deadline for 2023/24 submissions was April 12, 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Thank you to all applicants.

Mikaela Kos

History of the Chrystal Dance Prize

The prize is funded through an annual disbursement from the Chrystal Dance Fund held at the Victoria Foundation. Learn about Dr. Betty “Chrystal” Kleiman and past winners.