• Sunday, May. 26th 11:30am - 1:30pm

Born in Marseille, France, Hocine Layada started dancing at age 9, in Toulon France and began his professional training at the "Academie de Dance Princesse Grace" (Monaco, Monte-Carlo) 1980 - 1984. In 1984 he was a finalist at the Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland, earning the distinction of Encouragement. In 1984 he traveled to Hamburg, Germany on a scholarship with the Hambourg Ballet School and became a full company member in 1985-1990, performing as a Soloist. In 1990-1991 Mr. Layada joined the The Royal Ballet of Flanders, performing as a Soloist in Antwerpen, Belgium. After one year in Belgium Mr. Layada returned to Germany, to dance with the Komisch Oper Ballet, then went on appearing as a Principal Dancer with Gera Ballet Company and Erfurt Ballet Company. In 1993-1994 he came to Canada, joining the Alberta Ballet Company, performing in a soloist role. He later danced with the Ontario Ballet Theatre, with Raymond Smith as Artistic Director a Former Principal Dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, and returned to Calgary in 1996 to again join The Alberta Ballet and to teach at various dance schools. Mr. Layada first taught ballet for the Young Canadians School of Performing Arts in 1999-2001 while still dancing. In 2003-2004 Mr. Layada traveled to Victoria, BC to performed with Ballet Victoria in Peter Pan as the lead Principal Dancer/Ballet Master. The production was choreographed by Mr. David Roland, former Principal Dancer with the StaatsBallett Berlin, in Berlin Germany. In 2004, Mr. Layada move back to Calgary to teach at various dance schools. In 2005-2010 Mr. Layada was the head of the Ballet program at The Young Canadian School of Performing arts, under the Artistic direction of Mr. Brian Foley. From 2010-2016, Mr. Layada taught Ballet at Decidedly Jazz school of dance, as well as private Ballet classes. Mr. Layada also taught Ballet for the Calalta Figure Skating club in Calgary. From 2010-2016 Mr. Layada was also an Education Assistant for The Calgary Catholic School Board District, also In the Summer of 2015, Mr. Layada taught Ballet for Dansko Dance School for their Summer Workshop.