Ballet By the Ocean is a Profound Experience

Ballet By the Ocean is nothing short of a wold-class performance. The dancers are brilliant, of course, you come to expect that from Atlantic Ballet of Canada. However, what you do not expect, is the backdrop of the wetlands to come alive, fully participating as if part of the choreography. Then you join the performance, too. It was a profound experience.

I perched on my stool, after having just enjoyed the first delectable course, when the ballet dancers walked past my table, along the lawn, then gracefully stepped onto the stage. There is no curtain. It just begins, and you are immediately swept up in the performance. It is hard to describe, but it was a fully immersed feeling. I was first drawn to the individual movements of one dancer - then out to the group as a whole, then further out to the grasses, then to a lone bird that flew into sight, then I was back with a single dancer again, in and out, back and forth, over and over, again. I was washed over with emotion throughout each set, and I stayed present the entire time. Nothing came between the performers and the audience and the wetlands. We were one. I felt the warmth of the sun, the wind in my hair, and my soul leapt with each jump and pirouette. I swayed with the grasses, drifted with the clouds, and soared with the birds overhead. I had high expectations of Ballet by the Ocean, believing it might become the highlight of my summer, but nothing prepared me for what I experienced on this day in Grande Digue, New Brunswick.

Atlantic Ballet of Canada

I wanted to know how Ballet By the Ocean began and evolved, and what the public could look forward to next. Fortunately, directly following the event, I had the honour of sitting down with Susan Chalmers-Gauvin, CEO and Co-founder of Atlantic Ballet of Canada. Together with Igor Dobrovolskiy her Co-founding partner and choreographer, they run the largest professional performing arts organization in New Brunswick. Atlantic Ballet is a registered charity and Ballet By the Ocean is an annual fundraiser. It helps support new creative works as well as many community programs and youth outreach. I knew Ballet By the Ocean was born in 2020 out of necessity to employ dancers and work around pandemic constraints of public safety, but I also discovered something surreal happened in those early performances. Susan described that first year to me. “We were in survival mode. There’s no doubt about it. And it was a huge experiment. We had a homemade stage, people brought their own lawn chairs, and we sold out three shows. And then… I don’t think we understood what it would feel like, until we did it.”

Grande-Digue, New Brunswick

Ballet By the Ocean is set in a serene oasis in Grande-Digue, New Brunswick that just happens to be the private property and location of Susan and Andre Gauvin’s seaside home. They own 43 acres in total with a 2-kilometre waterfront stretch along the Northumberland Strait on protected wetlands and an eco-system with ancient dikes, and dozens and dozens of birds. I asked Susan how she and her husband felt sharing their backyard with Ballet By the Ocean guests. “Well, we are actually having fun,” Susan began, “People keep saying ‘Oh it’s your home.’  I honestly feel like part of the crowd - I really do. We open our property to a limited number of people each year to experience Ballet By the Ocean and the wetlands ecosystem in an intimate and unique way. We enjoy the opportunity to welcome people to our land and to speak and educate about the importance of the environment, the wetlands, and the wildlife that it supports.”

Unceded Territory of the Mi’kmaq

The cultural land acknowledgement is showcased on a banner and is announced at the beginning of Ballet By the Ocean. “We are honoured to also live on the unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq,” Susan said. “It is important for us to honour the first peoples who lived on this land long before us. We commissioned Brandon Mitchell of Listuguj First Nation to create a welcome painting of the dune and property that is Ballet By the Ocean. Importantly the painting shows a hieroglyph of the Mi’kmaq Chief and woman on the dune. It also honours the people who are gathering together for Ballet By the Ocean, while taking great care of the land for our future.” I asked about the sculpture resembling intertwined flames or waves or wetland grasses. “We commissioned that sculpture from Shane Myers,” Susan said. “We wanted it to move and blend organically with the movement of the wetland grasses and the dancers. It is a magnificent piece of art and it feels like it was always there. However, we had a Mi’kmaq elder give us a different interpretation. In her words: ‘Susan, it is the sacred fire looking out over the ocean as a beacon of hope.’”

Ballet by the Ocean Showcases Protected WetLands

The environmental care for this land is of utmost concern. Ballet By the Ocean guests are asked to park at the Grande-Digue Information Centre a few kilometres away and are shuttled to the venue. The performance stage is also carefully constructed so that it does not pierce the earth. “We are deeply honoured as the landowners to share our property with over 92 species of birds and many other animals and plants that are unique to our terroir and more specifically the ecology of the wetlands that we own,” Susan shared. ”My husband Andre and I are working to protect this beautiful ecosystem that we enjoy each day. We have taken great care with Ballet By the Ocean to work with the Department of Environment to ensure that we do not disrupt the land or the ecosystem. The birds are also part of our everyday life. We are quite literally surrounded by herons, eagles, hawks, sparrows and many more. We enjoy their presence. They come very close to the house so we feel like we co-exist on the land together. In fact today a heron decided to land on the stage as we were setting up.”

Do You Realize What You’ve Got Here?

Susan said they began to understand that they just might have something after that first summer. “Even just to stand on the stage and to feel the wetland grasses around you. It's really about how it feels to be here… And then we had some folks come in from the Department of Tourism and say ‘Do you realize what you’ve got here?’ And that took us by surprise, because we were just trying to get through. So, we sat down as a group and thought… ‘Could we do this? Could we do this as a series every summer? Could it be part of what it is we do?’”  

Ballet by the Ocean is a Magical Feeling

It worked. Ballet by the Ocean won over the audience that first year and word spread. Susan and Igor then made plans for 2021. “The second year we did 13 performances,” Susan shared, “And we sold them all out. And it was unexpected. And what was even more unexpected, was the reaction of people - over and over and over again. How they felt. ‘It was fantastic. It was beautiful.’ Just the words poured at us from so many different people - and people we didn’t know because we thought that it would be our Moncton crowd who already know the ballet - but no, they were people from all over the province and around the Maritimes.” Susan and Igor soon learned that what they had done with Ballet By the Ocean was transformative. I can attest to that. The experience fills you up in a way that I find hard to describe, but it makes you feel alive again. “We have all been through a lot over the last few years,” Susan said, “And just to bring that moment of joy and happiness to an audience is wonderful, especially as an arts organization. And that magical feeling that you have when you are here - it’s not only about the food – it’s not only about the dance – it’s how people relax in the space and how they feel.”

Magnetic Hill Winery

The food and wine is exquisite at Ballet by the Ocean. Zach Everett of Magnetic Hill Winery offers well-matched, award-wining wine pairings with each course. Susan has shared “Zach’s passion and appreciation for the art of wine making shine through in every conversation we have with him! From its opening in 2005 with only three wines, to the renowned and beloved state-of-the-art winery it is today... Magentic Hill Winery is deeply rooted in our community and Atlantic Canada. We are proud to feature this local family-owned business’s premium wines at Ballet by the Ocean. Sip on their selection of wines while you enjoy beautiful ballet with a backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.”

Ballet by the Ocean is Committed to Local

The tasting menu offered at Ballet By the Ocean is one for all of your senses. Susan shared how the culinary dining tasting menu experience came together the first two years. “We had the amazing opportunity to find Chef Emmanuel Charretier and Chef Gene Cormier, and they are so committed to local. They go into the forests and streams and even on our own land to forage.” I recalled Chef Emmanuel sharing earlier in the evening that he sent his son out to collect lavender here on the property that very morning to use in one of the dishes.

A Co-creation of Culinary Art and Ballet Art

I had the chance to ask Chef Emmanuel to describe how he developed the menu to marry each course with each subsequent ballet dance number. He replied “I am first going a lot with feeling as I create. Of course… with what is in season… and available locally. It is very important for me to support local producers and to get to know them and their product. The ocean is here so we must have seafood at Ballet By the Ocean but also is the forest - where we can forage mushrooms and herbs. Everything is local and fresh, grown harvested here in Southeast New Brunswick. Having seafood is essential as the audience sees the water in front of them. I see Ballet By the Ocean as a co-creation of culinary art and ballet art. The attendees experience the magnificence of the dancers but also the food that is presented beautifully. Each course captures your eyes first and then the taste.”

Local Flavours represent the Terroir and the Essence of the Ballet

A new partnership in 2023 brought Atelier Tony and Chef Jordan Holdon showcasing the cuisine for the Ballet by the Ocean experience. Susan shared more about this transition. “We have thoroughly enjoyed our collaboration with all of our chefs over the years -  beginning with Emmanuel Charretier and Gene Cormier. Our partnership with Atelier Tony and Chef Jordan Holdon also holds a special significance for us, as it brings back fond memories of working with his father, Tony, who was the pastry chef at the Delta Beausejour during the early days of the ballet. Tony created some truly exquisite ballet-themed pastries and desserts that made those years unforgettable. Working with Chef Jordan has been equally rewarding, as we’ve had the opportunity to creatively explore how local flavours can authentically represent both the terroir and the essence of the ballet. We genuinely view this collaboration as a true partnership, fostering innovation and celebrating our shared passion for both ballet and culinary art.”

Atelier Tony and Chef Jordan Holdon

Chef Jordan of Atelier Tony shared his joy at joining forces with Ballet by the Ocean to deliver a first class experience for guests and the process taken for preparing the menu. “Partnering with Ballet by the Ocean is exciting for us as a relatively new restaurant. Being associated with such a high-caliber experience enhances our reputation and visibility. The clientele they cater to aligns closely with that of Atelier Tony, creating great opportunities for cross-promotion and mutual support. It is a positive partnership that is not only beneficial but also a lot of fun!!”

Food and Dance Artistry

“Our menu selection for Ballet by the Ocean is always centred around seasonal ingredients. During the summer, we highlight local specialties such as lobster, asparagus, and chanterelle mushrooms, which we forage ourselves. For dessert, we incorporate fresh blueberries, also in season. We are deeply committed to supporting local working closely with farmers and producers at the Dieppe Market. My team and I take an active role in foraging mushrooms and some herbs to ensure freshness and authenticity. We strive to create a menu that is both classic and approachable, making it accessible to all our guests. When it comes to dessert, we aim to add a touch of the "Wow" factor, much like a grand finale in a ballet performance. We want to leave our audience with a memorable experience that celebrates the artistry of both food and dance.” Wow factor indeed - each course was scrumptious, but when the dessert arrived there were audible “Oohs and Ahhs” all around me, quickly followed by “Mmm’s” as it was devoured!

Ballet By the Ocean Changes Lives

“It was all perfectly married and orchestrated from beginning to end,” I told Susan. “These are all things we have in New Brunswick,” she smiled. “We have a world-class company, we have beautiful scenery here, we have world-class chefs here and we have food that can be made into something absolutely wonderful and this particular event combines all of it in a very intimate place on a private property. Not everyone gets to come here - and it feels … what’s the word I want to use – It feels a little bit like - we change lives - by putting this on.” It was true. I felt changed by this one-of-a-kind experience and the people around me were making similar comments. I met a couple that travel the world extensively attending many such world-class events, but they shared Ballet By the Ocean was the best they have ever experienced - bar none.

A New Set Every Performance

I was transfixed by the dancing but also by the wetlands. I felt it was part of the performance. It caught me off-guard and deeply moved me. I wanted to know how Igor choreographed performances to an active environment and I wondered how the dancers felt moving in it. “Igor loves to say we have a new set at every performance,” Susan began, “Sometimes the sun is out – sometimes the clouds are configured this way – sometimes it’s a little gray and you get a whole new landscape. But to create dance that fits this requirement… is a totally different way of envisioning.” Susan facilitated a further Q & A for me with Igor and two of their company’s dancers.

Ballet by the Ocean is in Symphony with Nature

“As a creator,” Igor shared, “This is a new challenge to be part of creating an immersive experience. It has also brought an entirely new audience to experience our company and our dancers. What makes the dancing and choreography so special is that the audience sees a living environment while watching the dance - they see the grasses moving in the wind, they see the water, and the birds. This unique environment inspires me to create in a new way. The movement has to be organic and flow with the natural elements that surround the stage.” I told Igor I had never experienced anything quite like it before. It was so moving. I was curious how he prepared for an ever-changing environment each and every performance, and what excited him about choreographing for such an unpredictable surrounding. “We have a new backdrop for every show,” Igor replied, “The sun, the cloud configuration, gentle breezes, the birds that decide to join the performance. It is extraordinary.” Igor has shared that he has experienced birds singing close to the melody of the music. He also felt that Ballet By the Ocean was not disturbing nature but instead - in symphony with it.

Ballet by the Ocean Embraces the Beauty of the Elements

Two Ballet By the Ocean dancers shared their perspectives. “The wind, the sun, the heat, it really keeps us on our toes (literally!),” Stephanie Audet shared. “We rehearse so much, every detail in a choreography, in a ballet piece; the way the fingers fall in place, the way we hold a costume, the way we move in sync in a group, the way we achieve harder steps together and as one, the way you present your emotions in a movement. Dancing in an ever-changing environment forces us to let go of some of the things we want to control, and adapt with the beauty of the elements. It is magical, and oh, so satisfying. We feel and dance in the moment, ready to adapt, as the birds fly over our head, and the tall grass dances in the background.”

Every Performance is Unique at Ballet by the Ocean

Olga Petiteau shared, “Being able to perform in Ballet By the Ocean is very rewarding. It pushes us to explore different movement limits and take different artistic risks. It is more than just performing. It is very special and it makes the performance shine. In the art, there are always unexpected elements to which as dancers, we are always trying to be prepared for. It is always keeping us very aware. However, performing outside, sharing the space with the elements, the challenges can be much more surprising; for example, the change of wind, the insects, the weather… for me, these extra challenges are what make the experience so fulfilling and exciting. It makes the human’s senses stronger; it is very uplifting and it makes each and every performance so unique and rewarding.“

Love of Dancing Shines at Ballet by the Ocean

When asked how performing for Ballet By the Ocean compares to typical performances Stephanie shared, “Everything is calculated and controlled - the lighting, the timing when the curtain goes up and down for example. Before a performance in a theatre, I would put on my stage make up and do my hair. The same routine applies when we do Ballet By the Ocean, but we definitely have to add sunscreen and bug spray, which always makes me smile! Every single time, it reminds me of how dancing outside in this magical place all started. Ballet By the Ocean felt like the biggest relief and the most magical thing that could ever happen to us as performers when during the pandemic everything, every chance we had to perform - which we work so hard for, was taken away from us. It reminds me that even in the hardest times, the light will find its way back! There is always a way to keep going, to make things happen. Here we are today, dancing under the warm sun, performing for our dear audience, breathing the salty air of the sea and being incredibly thankful for this chance to share our love of dancing.”

Ballet by the Ocean Transports You

“The beauty of these Ballet By the Ocean performances,” Olga shared, “Is that dancers and audiences are sharing the same elements and the same space. The audience is as much part of the experience as the dancers on stage. There are no tricks with projections, lightings, curtains. Everything is… happening naturally in the present moment.” Olga explained she felt the dancers were more accessible, closer emotionally to the audience… and feedback from the audience was also more accessible to the artists. She feels the culinary artistry along with the wine pairings - it makes the immersion complete. Stephanie added “There are small breaks where guests eat, drink and then the dancing continues. As a guest, you also have time to walk around (between performances), to talk to your friends, to take pictures, to see the birds, to look at the sea in the background... There are no wings to hide the dancers either… so you see them walking on and off of the stage between numbers... It keeps you in the moment. Transporting the audience with us as we dance our hearts out, inspired by the nature, the elements, the sun, the birds…feels like being part of something extraordinary.”

Ballet by the Ocean is Powerful

“Personally,” Olga shared, “Ballet By the Ocean is very meaningful. It is a moment to appreciate the beautiful province we are living in, while sharing our passion for dance, music and art. Nature is, and can be a great element for inspiration, for imagination, and for freedom. Every performance brings either a moment of peacefulness, or a feeling of pause… or a moment of full immersion in passion and nature. It is very powerful!”

Ballet by the Ocean is a Shining Star

I was so moved by Ballet By the Ocean. And my second time was as special as the first. I felt like I had a rare opportunity that I now want to share with others so that you too may experience it for yourself. It is for everyone, and it is here in New Brunswick proudly, and deservedly so. “Ballet By the Ocean is delivering hope,” I told Susan. “It's hope that you’ve given us! You’ve believed in us, too. We are on the world stage and we deserve to be there,“ I unabashedly gushed. “The most difficult part about being in New Brunswick is even New Brunswickers thinking about who we are and what we’re capable of,” Susan replied. “When we started the Atlantic Ballet of Canada, we had someone on our board from Halifax and he said ‘No, no way are we going to put this in New Brunswick. We’re not doing it. This has to be in Halifax.’ And I said ‘No!…If this ballet company can succeed in New Brunswick – it will make a difference. We will make a difference because it will be a shining star in this province.’ And all these years we have been hoping it would happen and people would see – Yes we can do this in New Brunswick. Yes we can set the bar there. Yes we can represent excellence, and Ballet By the Ocean has done that.”

Ballet by the Ocean Brings a World of Joy, Beauty and Hope

“We’ve done something and people across the country are talking about it,” Susan said. “I am incredibly proud as a New Brunswicker to have brought something of this calibre to our province and to our citizens here in New Brunswick and well beyond. I have had the privilege of watching every performance and I am moved at every one. I really am. Just sitting quietly and watching the dancers and watching the audience. It’s intimate. The other asset we always have in New Brunswick is.. we’re friendly – we’re open – we’re community-minded. When people come here…it feels relaxing and it feels open. We are beyond thrilled with what we’ve done, but words can’t quite describe the magic of being here. We believe as an organization that our art is transformational, that dance can change the world and allows us to see the world differently. A world of joy, beauty and hope. Ballet By the Ocean truly brings these qualities to new heights.”

Ballet by the Ocean 2025

”We are excited to be in the early stages of planning for 2025, which marks the 5th anniversary of Ballet by the Ocean. We are committed to making this upcoming year's celebration truly special. I have full confidence that Igor will orchestrate an unforgettable evening, and we have challenged Chef Jordan to rise to the occasion as well. Together, we aim to create a memorable experience that honours this significant milestone.”

Ballet by the Ocean is Transformative

Be moved, be changed forever by the transformative Ballet by the Ocean. Immerse all your senses as you enjoy culinary art and ballet art together in a magical place. It is a world-class experience incorporating a creative tasting menu featuring local ingredients and original ballet choreography inspired by and created for an outdoor stage in a stunning natural habitat on the southeast shore of New Brunswick, Canada.

Ballet by the Ocean puts New Brunswick on the World Stage

I couldn’t be more proud as the Maritimes Maven, and as a New Brunswicker that Ballet By the Ocean & Ballet Atlantic are right here. New Brunswick is on the world stage, and deservedly so. Why not us? Why not here? Come see for yourself. Discover Ballet by the Ocean.

This post was sponsored by Ballet by the Ocean & New Brunswick Tourism; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Follow Maritimes Maven on FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Threads & X. Subscribe to be the first to receive my latest articles. Share articles you love with your social media community so they, too, will discover, There’s No Place Like Home!