Canadian Heritage committee  That's very important for many dance schools around the country. The ESBQ, for example, begins working with students at the age of three. We offer classes for parents and their three-year-olds. We introduce them to dance. They may not necessarily embark on a career in dance but t

Canadian Heritage committee  I was just thinking about classical dance because I come from a classical dance school. You're absolutely right. There are all kinds of dance. So it is I, who apologizes to you.

Canadian Heritage committee  We have host families who take in the youngest students. Of course, it's increasingly difficult to accommodate very young dancers because families are having fewer and fewer children. Some 20 or 30 years ago, families had more children and would let young dancers go away. Today,

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes. It's important to help professional companies support young apprentices who have graduated from Canadian schools.

Canadian Heritage committee  It would involve financial support. Dance companies need money to train apprentices, and oftentimes, they can't afford it. They would like training to continue. For example, does a 20-year-old graduate of our school have enough training to join a dance company? I think that dance

Canadian Heritage committee  Companies are doing their best, but there isn't any funding specifically for apprentices. I think Emily may be able elaborate on that.

Canadian Heritage committee  More and more, schools are teaching students how to take care of their bodies. At the ESBQ, we have physiotherapists and doctors. There are hospitals where we can send our dancers. As I mentioned, training never stops, so safeguarding your health is even more important. Our teach

Canadian Heritage committee  I think so, because we know that classical ballet is the basis of all dance. So it is important for a dancer to begin with classical ballet. It is structure. Little girls and boys start with classical ballet. I think ballet is popular. I hold auditions across Canada, and a lot of

Canadian Heritage committee  From Canadian Heritage, it is very low. The Quebec ministry of culture and communications provides us with reasonable funding. There's a problem at Canadian Heritage in terms of the training schools. Certainly, the École supérieure de ballet du Québec is not the only school in Ca

Canadian Heritage committee  When I was dancing, yes, I used to be with Dancer Transition. The centre helps our graduates enter the labour market. It helps dancers at the start of their career and at the end of their career. As Emily said, it's a very large organization that is quite necessary in Canada.

Canadian Heritage committee  Mr. Chair and members of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, we would like to thank you for inviting the École supérieure de ballet du Québec to participate in your study on the importance of dance. I am joined today by Alix Laurent, executive director of our institution