Canada's National Ballet School
400 Jarvis Street M4Y 2G6 Toronto, ON, Canada

We are thrilled to share that Grade 12 student Maya Smallwood has been selected as a finalist for the Prix de Lausanne Young Creation Award. Maya is one of five finalists selected from over 54 submissions worldwide. She is both the sole female and North American choreographer amongst the finalists. Maya’s choreography is performed by Grade 11 NBS student, Ewan Hartman. The five choreographies will be judged by the Prix de Lausanne International Jury during the live-streamed competition, on February 3rd, 2021 at 10:30 am EST. Visit https://www.prixdelausanne.org/ to view the live stream. Congratulations to Maya and Ewan on this exciting achievement and opportunity to represent NBS and Canada on the world stage!

Canada's National Ballet School's Community Dance department is offering free online webinars for educators, program participants and dancers to learn new skills. Our upcoming webinar is a panel discussion about Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Dance co-presented with Royal Winnipeg Ballet School taking place on February 3rd, 2021, at 5:30pm. This discussion will explore best practices for culturally responsive dance teaching and equitable learning design for dance classes. Panelists include Esie Mensah, Kevin Ormsby and Rachael McLaren, moderated by Ashleigh Powell and Johanne Gingras. Registration for the panel closes TODAY January 29th, 2021, at 4pm. Register by visiting: nbs-enb.ca/upcoming-webinars

Bring more dance into your home this winter! We are excited to share that a new term of Baycrest NBS Sharing Dance Seniors at Home begins January 26th, 2021! Created by Baycrest and Canada’s National Ballet School, Sharing Dance Seniors engages older adults in meaningful dance activity that benefits physical, cognitive and overall health! Available for free on demand at your convenience, dancers can join at any time. Seated and standing online course options are available. No dance experience required! Join in by visiting www.nbs-enb.ca/sharingdanceseniors

Meet Isabella and Ewantwo Professional Ballet-Academic Program students at Canada’s National Ballet School, preparing a variation for a special virtual presentation last year for their families. Follow them through this process from the studio to the stage, get a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and achievements of performing a variation, and learn more about the support and inspiration teachers provide along the way. Do you know a passionate dancer who dreams of their moment on the stage? Auditions for NBS’ Professional Ballet-Academic Program are taking place online this year. Visit www.nbs-enb.ca/PBPauditions to learn more.

Happy New Year from Canada’s National Ballet School and The Shoe Room!

During this time of year, NBS would usually be touring to communities across Canada, holding auditions for our Professional Ballet and Teacher Training programs. While we can't meet you in person this year, we invite you to join us for our online auditions! Taking place over Zoom video conferencing this Winter, auditions will involve small groups of dancers, with each dancer joining individually from their home, studio, or a space of their choice. Register for an audition today by visiting: www.nbs-enb.ca/crosscountryauditions

You can still audition online for Canada’s National Ballet School's Professional Ballet Program! Auditions will take place over Zoom video conferencing this Winter and will involve small groups of dancers, with each dancer joining individually from their home, studio, or a space of their choice. Register for an online audition today and discover all the ways dancing opens doors! Visit www.nbs-enb.ca/crosscountryauditions

Know someone who could benefit from the joy of dance at home this holiday season? Baycrest NBS Sharing Dance Seniors programs are designed to engage older adults in meaningful dance activity that benefits physical, cognitive and overall health! Seated and standing online course options are available. No dance experience required! Share the transformative power of dance with someone for the holidays! www.nbs-enb.ca/sharingdanceseniors

Kids can keep active this holiday season with Canada’s National Ballet School’s (NBS) Dance on Demand online resources! Facilitated by NBS' community dance teachers, press play and engage your child in age-appropriate, themed creative movement activities that build physical literacy skills using elements of dance as a foundation. NBS’ Dance on Demand courses are free, organized by school grade, and allow kids to make creative choices to move in the way that feels best for the...m. Special thank you to Canadian Tire Jumpstart for your support through the Sport Relief Fund! The fund helps NBS continue to provide access to sport and play for Canadian kids. Along with Jumpstart, we understand the role sport plays in the health and well-being of kids and their families and are doing everything possible to help community sports continue. #SportReliefFund Start dancing with Dance on Demand today by visiting: www.nbs-enb.ca/danceathome/kids

From the NBS family to yours, warmest of wishes for health and happiness during this holiday season and through the coming year. The global NBS community has radiated extraordinary care and generosity during this past year. We would like to extend our most heartfelt thanks for your support and belief in Canada’s National Ballet School. This holiday season we celebrate youand the many people across Canada and around the world who, despite the challenges that these times presented, kept dancing. May you continue to find joy and inspiration through your connection to dance and to NBS.