The Young Canadians School of Performing Arts is a well established part of Calgary’s cultural scene. Each September a new school year begins and a new crop of aspiring performers enter the studios in the Agriculture Building at Stampede Park to study voice, musical theatre, acro-dance, gymnastics and several disciplines of dance including jazz, tap and ballet.

The Young Canadians of the Calgary Stampede have been captivating audiences at the Grandstand Show for more than 41 years with their energetic dance and vocal performances. In 1964 Randy Avery brought a group of local dancers to perform on a one-time only basis, but the audience’s reaction was so enthusiastic that it was decided to expand the concept and train a group of dancers to be a regular part of the show. For twenty-five years until 1991, Margot McDermott was the Young Canadians’ Artistic Director, guiding the troupe through the school year as well as the Grandstand Show. 

The Grandstand Show from July 9-18, 2010 will be the highlight of the Young Canadians’ year, but it is not the only focus of activity throughout the year. A series of Christmas concerts feature work from the fall school session. The spring term culminates in a large scale production which showcases the work of individual student performers and choreographers. Work on the Grandstand Show begins in April and becomes more and more intense as the Stampede approaches. Throughout the year, various other performance opportunities such as conventions give the Young Canadians the chance to show off their talents. 

Over the years, the Young Canadians have performed with many famous people such as Bill Cosby, Lorne Green, Arte Johnson, Rich Little, Roy Rogers, Jerry Reed, Tommy Hunter, Andre-Philippe Gagnon and most recently stars from The Cirque du Soleil and have been featured in events such as the half-time show for the Grey Cup. In 1996 a special performance of the Grandstand Show was presented during the Rotary International Convention, introducing the Young Canadians to an enthusiastic audience from 177 countries. To prepare the Young Canadians for these performances, a professional and highly qualified staff assembles each fall to plan the curriculum. Guest instructors are brought in for specialty training workshops.  

The objectives of the School of Performing Arts are to provide training in a variety of disciplines to develop the whole performer and to provide opportunities for performance so that each student can develop the self awareness that will be required to make each one successful in life.

Many Young Canadians who have gone through the program have gone on to successful performing arts careers in Calgary’s theatre and dance scene, in London’s West End, in the national companies of Cirque du Soleil, So You Think You Can Dance, Cats, Les Miserables and Miss Saigon, on television, on cruise ships and in the showrooms of Las Vegas.