Canada’s National Ballet School
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IODE Ontario’s Student Partner at Canada’s National Ballet School program
There are approximately 150 students in the Professional Ballet Program, which combines a professional ballet curriculum with academic classes for Grades 6 through 12. Almost two-thirds of the students live on site at the School's residence. Those students required to live at the school due to distances from home find expenses to be overwhelming. IODE Ontario was proud to assist one student, entering at least Grade 10, each year at Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto. IODE Ontario contributed $1,000 to this partnership to assist young artists to pursue their dreams. The final year of contributions was 2021. |
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Our 2017-2021 Student Partner was Avery Grierson
Our 2017-2021 Student Partner is Avery Grierson
From Avery's biography submitted to us.
I started dancing when I was three years old and have loved it ever since. I love dancing because of the way it makes me feel when I’m on stage in front of an audience, and how hard I have to work all the time to improve. I love the adrenaline I get before I go on stage. It is such a rush! I also love being able to make an audience, and even myself, believe I am a different character. When I perform I feel excited and nervous at the same time. It is the best feeling in the whole world.
I love being at NBS (Canada’s National Ballet School) because it feels like I am learning in a truly professional environment. I also like how I am able to study ballet every day in addition to my academic classes.
Last year I was chosen to dance the lead role of Marie in the National Ballet of Canada’s production of The Nutcracker. It was such a privilege to be chosen for that role, and I loved doing it. Later in the year, I performed at NBS’ Assemblée Internationale 2017, Sharing Dance Day 2017, and I was even able to choreograph a piece in the Stephen Godfrey Choreographic Workshop. The piece was called Currents, and was a pas de trois with two girls and one boy. It was an interesting experience since I wasn’t the one doing the dancing!
My favourite ballet is La Sylphide. I love its romantic style and beautiful music. I also love the ballet because when I was in grade 7 I had the opportunity to be in the ballet with the National Ballet of Canada. It was the best time of my life so far.
In my spare time, I love to sing and play piano. I also really love to read and draw. When I was younger, I wanted to be a horseback rider or be in musical theatre. But, my dream has always been to be a dancer.
From Avery's biography submitted to us.
I started dancing when I was three years old and have loved it ever since. I love dancing because of the way it makes me feel when I’m on stage in front of an audience, and how hard I have to work all the time to improve. I love the adrenaline I get before I go on stage. It is such a rush! I also love being able to make an audience, and even myself, believe I am a different character. When I perform I feel excited and nervous at the same time. It is the best feeling in the whole world.
I love being at NBS (Canada’s National Ballet School) because it feels like I am learning in a truly professional environment. I also like how I am able to study ballet every day in addition to my academic classes.
Last year I was chosen to dance the lead role of Marie in the National Ballet of Canada’s production of The Nutcracker. It was such a privilege to be chosen for that role, and I loved doing it. Later in the year, I performed at NBS’ Assemblée Internationale 2017, Sharing Dance Day 2017, and I was even able to choreograph a piece in the Stephen Godfrey Choreographic Workshop. The piece was called Currents, and was a pas de trois with two girls and one boy. It was an interesting experience since I wasn’t the one doing the dancing!
My favourite ballet is La Sylphide. I love its romantic style and beautiful music. I also love the ballet because when I was in grade 7 I had the opportunity to be in the ballet with the National Ballet of Canada. It was the best time of my life so far.
In my spare time, I love to sing and play piano. I also really love to read and draw. When I was younger, I wanted to be a horseback rider or be in musical theatre. But, my dream has always been to be a dancer.
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Our Student Partner Alexandra Hall (2013-2016) As she tells us about herself.
"I was six years old when my mom decided to enroll me into a small summer camp for ballet and I have enjoyed dancing ever since! It was my former ballet teacher who first told me about NBS, suggesting that I audition. At the end of Summer School, I knew that this was the school that I wanted to be at. I really enjoy how easy it is to make friends with people from all over Canada and the world. My NBS friends are really more like family than anything. This year, I am looking forward to the Seniors Schedule because it means that we get more time to dance and more opportunities to learn new styles and variations. Last spring, NBS hosted the Assemblée Internationale 2013 (AI13) which welcomed the world’s best professional ballet schools to NBS for one week. Being in grade 10, I was able to participate in the daily ballet classes which were amazing! It was great to learn from different teachers and dance with new students from all over the world. I liked to see how each school focused on different things and different techniques. I also performed in a student choreographed piece called Instabile which was brought from the John Cranko School in Stuttgart. The connection between dancers and the movements was really interesting, plus I got to dance modern in pointe shoes, which was a new opportunity for me." Congratulations are extended to Alexandra, recipient of the prestigious prize “ The Eric Bruhn Memorial Award. |
Alexandra Hall
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Liana Macera
Our student partner over the past three years has been Liana Macera. Liana’s hometown is Nobleton, Ontario. June 2013, Liana graduated and has since accepted an apprenticeship with Canada’s National Ballet School. Congratulations, Liana! This is quite an honour. It has been our pleasure to attend the Observation Sessions at the school and watch all the students achieving their dreams.
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Liana Macera, Student Partner 2010-12“I started dancing when I was six years old. My mom decided to put me into ballet to strengthen my balance and coordination skills for soccer. After one class, my aunt took me to see the National Ballet of Canada's production of Swan Lake. Later that night, I told myself that I would soon be up there dancing one day.
My favourite ballets are Swan Lake, Manon, Romeo and Juliet, and, In the Middle Somewhat Elevated. Over the past two years, I have gone on two exchanges. My first was San Francisco and the second was in Stuttgart, Germany. Both were great opportunities and experiences but there were pros and cons to each. In San Francisco, the dancing was very intense and I got the opportunity to work with many great teachers. In Stuttgart, we only took one class a day, but we got to see tons of performances and company classes. I am so grateful that I was able to go on exchanges that were both amazing and unique and I have learned so much. Canada’s National Ballet School has been my second home for seven years. This is a magnificent place where I have learned in abundance. I am forever grateful and will never forget my time here.” |
Congratulations to all of our Student Partners
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Avery Grierson 2018 - 2018 - 2019 - 2020 - 2021
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Alexandra Hall 2012 - 2013 - 2014 - 2015 - 2016 - 2017
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Liana Macera 2010 - 2011 - 2012
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Sophie Robitaille 2009 - 2010
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Linden Kuitenbrouwen 2008 - 2009
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Elizabeth Marrable 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008
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David Gilmour 2003 - 2004
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Chelsea Winter 2002 - 2003
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Cameron Baldassarra 2000 - 2001 - 2002
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Patrick Kastoff 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000
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Jonathon Renna 1994 - 1995 - 1996 - 1997
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Anne Hochman 1993 - 1994
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Mark Vincente 1992 - 1992
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Craig Gillis 1991 - 1992
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Sabra Perry 1990 - 1991
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Meredith Woodley 1989 - 1990
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Maytinee Salyajivin 1988 - 1989
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