Ballet By the Ocean

UPDATED JULY 29, 2025

Ballet by the Ocean: A Profound Experience in Motion and Stillness

Ballet by the Ocean is not just a performance, it is an awakening. Presented by the Atlantic Ballet of Canada, the dancers are predictably brilliant. What is unexpected is the stage itself: a backdrop of coastal wetlands that comes alive in perfect harmony with each movement. Even more surprising, you become part of it.

I sat on the edge of my seat, 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 was no curtain. The performance simply began, unfolding in the open air. It was a visceral, emotional immersion. I followed the movements of a single dancer, then the full ensemble, then the sway of grasses beyond, a lone bird overhead, and back again. The elements became part of the performance. I felt the warmth of the sun, the wind in my hair, and my soul leapt with each jump and pirouette. Nothing separated the audience from the dancers or the wetlands. We were one.

I had high expectations, but nothing prepared me for the way this performance would move me. Set on the private coastal property of Susan and Andre Gauvin in Grande-Digue, New Brunswick, Ballet by the Ocean is at once intimate and expansive. It is art in full communion with nature.

Atlantic Ballet of Canada

Following the performance, I sat down with Susan Chalmers-Gauvin, CEO and Co-Founder of Atlantic Ballet of Canada. Along with choreographer Igor Dobrovolskiy, they have built the largest professional performing arts organization in New Brunswick. The company is a registered charity, and Ballet by the Ocean serves as its annual fundraiser, supporting both artistic innovation and community outreach.

Ballet by the Ocean began in 2020 as a creative pivot during the pandemic. “We were in survival mode,” Susan told me. “It was an experiment. We had a homemade stage, lawn chairs, and sold out three shows. But we had no idea how it would feel until we did it.”

A Home Transformed into a Stage

The Gauvins’ 43-acre property, with two kilometers of protected shoreline, is home to ancient dikes and a rich wetlands ecosystem. Hosting guests here is something Susan embraces wholeheartedly. “People often say, ‘It’s your home,’ but I honestly feel like part of the crowd. We welcome a limited number of guests each year not just to enjoy the ballet, but to connect with the land. It is also an opportunity to share why wetland conservation matters.”

Honouring Mi’kmaq Land

A land acknowledgement opens each performance, a visible and spoken recognition of the Mi’kmaq people’s unceded territory. Artist Brandon Mitchell of Listuguj First Nation created a painting that depicts Mi’kmaq figures on the dunes, paying tribute to the land’s stewards and its gathering purpose. A nearby sculpture by Shane Myers seems to move with the wind and dancers. A Mi’kmaq elder later described this magnificent piece of art to Susan as “the sacred fire looking out over the ocean as a beacon of hope.”

Environmental Stewardship in Motion

Respect for the environment guides every detail. Guests are shuttled in from a few kilometres away. “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.”

From Survival to Series

After that first summer, Susan said they began to understand that they just might be onto something. “Officials from the Department of Tourism visited and asked, ‘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?’”

It could, and it did. Then in 2021, they held 13 performances, all sold out. “It was unexpected,” Susan said, “but even more surprising was how deeply people were moved.”

A Co-creation of Culinary Art and Ballet Art

The culinary experience is just as carefully orchestrated. Local chefs have always been central to the vision, with early contributions from Emmanuel Charretier and Gene Cormier. Chef Emmanuel shared that he developed the menu to marry each course with each dance, “I feel as I create. The ocean is here, so we must have seafood at Ballet by the Ocean and the forest is also represented as it is where we can forage mushrooms and herbs. Everything is local and fresh, grown and harvested here in Southeast New Brunswick. 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.”

In 2023, Atelier Tony and Chef Jordan Holdon took the reins. “We focus around seasonal ingredients and work closely with local farmers and producers at the Dieppe Market,” Jordan said, “and we also forage ingredients like chanterelles and herbs ourselves. We want every plate to reflect the land and the moment, then we aim to add a touch of the WOW factor, much like a grand finale in a ballet leaving our audience with a memorable experience that celebrates the artistry of both food and dance.” “Working with Jordan has been especially meaningful,” Susan added, “His father Tony created ballet-themed pastries in our early days. Now Jordan brings his own artistry, rooted in the same values of community and creativity.”

Magnetic Hill Winery

Magnetic Hill Winery’s award-winning wines complete the experience. Susan noted, “Zach Everett’s passion for winemaking shines through. His pairings elevate the performance. From its opening in 2005 with only three wines, to the renowned and beloved state-of-the-art winery it is today... Magnetic 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.”

Ballet By the Ocean Changes Lives

“I felt alive—we were one!,” I told Susan, “And the food, wine and dance was divine from beginning to end.“ “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 … 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 prestigious events, but they shared Ballet By the Ocean was the best they have ever experienced —bar none.

Dancing with the Elements

I was mesmerized by the dancing but also by the wetlands. I felt it was part of the performance and so was I. It caught me off-guard and deeply resonated. I was changed by what I just experienced. There's something truly special about the way Ballet by the Ocean brings together a feeling of presence, hope, and magic through dance and culinary artistry in this beautiful wetlands setting. I wanted to know how Igor choreographed performances to an active environment and I wondered how the dancers felt moving in it.

“Each performance is shaped by nature. Sometimes the sun is out, sometimes it is overcast, and the whole atmosphere changes,” Susan said. “Igor loves to say we have a new set for every performance.”

Igor sees this as both a creative challenge and a gift. “I am inspired by the wind, the grasses, the birds. It brings a different kind of energy. The movement must respond to the environment. It has to be organic and flow with the natural elements that surround the stage. 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.

Dancers Stephanie Audet and Olga Petiteau echoed this. “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,” Stepahnie began. “The wind, the sun, the heat, it really keeps us on our toes (literally!).” “It keeps us aware and emotionally connected,” Olga added. “Your senses are stronger; it is very uplifting and it makes the performance shine. It is so exciting.“

“In a theatre, everything is controlled,” Stephanie shared, “The lighting, timing, curtains. Here, we put on our make up then I smile and add sunscreen and bug spray. It reminds me of how it all began. Ballet by the Ocean saved us. It brought us back to life. The pandemic stopped all production. It took everything away from us, every chance we had to perform, which we work so hard for. Ballet by the Ocean was such a blessing. Here we are today, dancing under the warm sun, performing for an appreciative audience, breathing the salty air of the sea, and feeling incredibly thankful for this chance to share our love of dancing.”

“The beauty of these Ballet by the Ocean performances,” Olga added, “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, or curtains. Everything is happening naturally in the present moment. And every performance is unique. The culinary artistry along with the wine pairings, it just makes the immersion complete. There are no wings to hide the dancers either, so you see them walking on and off the stage between numbers. It keeps you in the moment. Transporting the audience with us as we dance our hearts out, inspired by nature, the elements, the sun, the birds, it feels like being part of something incredible.“

Personally,” Olga continued, “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!”

From New Brunswick to the World Stage

Thr success of Ballet by the Ocean has become a point of pride. “When we started, people told us it had to be in Halifax,” Susan recalled. “But I believed if we could succeed in New Brunswick, it would mean something. And it has. Ballet by the Ocean has shown what excellence looks like here.”

The event has since won two tourism awards and attracted audiences from across Canada, the United States, and Europe. “We hear the same words again and again—‘transformational,’ ‘magical,’ ‘the best experience of our lives.’ That is the most rewarding part.”

The Fifth Anniversary

Now celebrating its fifth anniversary, Ballet by the Ocean continues to inspire. The July evening I recently attended was, once again, unforgettable. This was my third year attending, and it remains as enchanting as ever. Ballet by the Ocean has unlocked something deeply needed in the world right now. It's an experience that resonates in the soul long after the final bow.

I took a few photos of the setting and the dishes, but only video during the performance this last time. I did not want to break the spell. The audience held its breath through each set, still and silent in awe. It felt sacred.

When I asked Susan what this milestone meant to her, she said, “I have watched it grow from an idea born of necessity into something deeply meaningful. Thousands have joined us, and the feedback continues to move us. It is about more than ballet. It is about presence. Stillness. Motion. It is community, nature, and the extraordinary talent we have right here in New Brunswick. It is joy. It is connection. It is hope.”

Ballet by the Ocean is a shining star, born in New Brunswick, reaching far beyond.

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. 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!