Artistic Staff
Rachel Mclean
Co-artistic Director
Rachel was introduced to ballet at the age of 6, and began dancing with Jeunesse Classique Ballet around the same time. During her many years as a dancer with JCB, she danced several roles including Clara and Sugar Plum. After achieving distinction on her RAD Advanced 2 exams, she spent a year apprenticing at the Goh Ballet before returning to pursue her studies at the University of Calgary, where she completed her Bachelor of Science and Masters in Computer Science.
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In 2013 she began to work with JCB as a member of the artistic team. Since then she has contributed numerous performances including The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, and Coppélia as rehearsal mistress and co-artistic director.
Brielle Mitchell
Co-artistic Director
Brielle began her ballet training at the age of 4 and has completed RAD levels Grade 3 through Advanced 2, achieving distinctions on her exams. Brielle has attended numerous summer intensives including programs at Alberta Ballet, Canada's National Ballet School, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School.
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Brielle has been a member of Jeunesse Classique Ballet for over a decade and has performed roles including Sugar Plum and Snow Queen in The Nutcracker and Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty. She has also performed in numerous pieces across Canada in collaboration with other performance companies.
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Brielle is a graduate of the University of Calgary, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with Distinction.
Lauren Saunders
Co-artistic Director
Lauren began at the International School of Ballet at the age of 3, and trained pre-professionally at Alberta Ballet School Professional Division and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Aspirant Program. Currently, she dances with the Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and is working toward a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Bachelor of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary.
Lauren grew up dancing with Jeunesse Classique Ballet, starting as a Seraphim and progressing through the ranks to Sugar Plum. She has also deeply enjoyed performing a variety of roles in JCB spring repertoire. Outside of Jeunesse, Lauren collaborates with other companies and artists as a freelance dance artist. In addition to her performance career, Lauren has worked as a rehearsal assistant in multiple JCB productions. She is passionate about dancer development and upholding the artistic legacy of Jeunesse Classique Ballet