Presents The Nutcracker

Ballet Notes

Presents

The
Nutcracker

December 13, 2014 – January 3, 2015

Jonathan Renna.

Photo by Aleksandar Antonijevic.

Celia Franca, C.C., Founder Orchestra Flutes
Leslie J. Allt, Principal
George Crum, Music Director Emeritus Violin 1 Shelley Brown, Piccolo*
Elissa Lee, Kevin O’Donnell, Piccolo+
Karen Kain, C.C. Barry Hughson Maria Pelletier
Guest Concertmaster
Artistic Director Executive Director (Dec 13 - 23) Oboes
Aaron Schwebel, Mark Rogers, Principal
David Briskin Rex Harrington, O.C. Guest Concertmaster Karen Rotenberg
(Dec 23 - Jan 3) Lesley Young,
Music Director and Artist-in-Residence Lynn Kuo,
Principal Conductor Assistant Concertmaster English Horn
James Aylesworth
Magdalena Popa Lindsay Fischer Jennie Baccante Clarinets
Sheldon Grabke Max Christie, Principal
Principal Artistic Coach Artistic Director, Nancy Kershaw Gary Kidd, Bass Clarinet
YOU dance / Ballet Master Sonia Klimasko-Leheniuk Emily Marlow*
Yakov Lerner Aiko Oda+
Peter Ottmann Mandy-Jayne Jayne Maddison Colleen Cook+
Richardson Wendy Rogers
Senior Ballet Master Paul Zevenhuizen Bassoons
Senior Ballet Mistress Stephen Mosher, Principal
Violin 2 Jerry Robinson
Guillaume Côté, Greta Hodgkinson, Svetlana Lunkina, Dominique Laplante, Elizabeth Gowen,
McGee Maddox, Evan McKie, Heather Ogden*,
Sonia Rodriguez, Piotr Stanczyk, Jillian Vanstone, Principal Second Violin Contra -Bassoon
Xiao Nan Yu Aaron Schwebel,
Horns
Lorna Geddes, Alejandra Perez-Gomez, Assistant Principal Gary Pattison, Principal
Rebekah Rimsay, Tomas Schramek, 2nd Violin* Vincent Barbee*
Hazaros Surmeyan Jayne Maddison, Acting Derek Conrod
Assistant Principal Diane Doig+
Naoya Ebe, Keiichi Hirano, Tanya Howard, 2nd Violin (Dec 13 & 14) Christine Passmore+
Stephanie Hutchison, Etienne Lavigne, Patrick Lavoie, Csaba Koczó, Acting Scott Wevers
Elena Lobsanova, Tina Pereira, Jonathan Renna, Assistant Principal
Robert Stephen 2nd Violin Trumpets
(Dec 17 - Jan 3) Richard Sandals, Principal
Skylar Campbell, Jordana Daumec, Anne Armstrong+ Mark Dharmaratnam
Alexandra MacDonald, Chelsy Meiss, Xiao Grabke Robert Weymouth
Tiffany Mosher, Jenna Savella, Brendan Saye, Hiroko Kagawa+
Christopher Stalzer, Dylan Tedaldi Jamie Kruspe+ Trombones
Ron Mah David Archer, Principal
Jack Bertinshaw, Trygve Cumpston, Shaila D’Onofrio, Aya Miyagawa Robert Ferguson
Jackson Dwyer, Rhiannon Fairless, Hannah Fischer, Filip Tomov David Pell, Bass Trombone
Francesco Gabriele Frola, Giorgio Galli, Selene Guerrero-Trujillo, Ashley Vandiver+
Emma Hawes, Juri Hiraoka, Kathryn Hosier, Rui Huang, Sonia Vizante+ Tuba
Harrison James, Lise-Marie Jourdain, Larissa Khotchenkova, Rebekah Wolkstein+ Sasha Johnson, Principal
Miyoko Koyasu, James Leja, Elizabeth Marrable, Shino Mori, Joanna Zabrowarna
Jaclyn Oakley, Andreea Olteanu, Félix Paquet, Brent Parolin, Harp
Meghan Pugh, Asiel Rivero, Ben Rudisin, Kota Sato, Nan Wang, Violas Lucie Parent, Principal
Ethan Watts, Sarah Elena Wolff Angela Rudden,
Tympani
RBC Apprentice Programme / YOU dance: Principal Michael Perry, Principal
Nicole Blain, Patrick Foster, Giorgio Garrett, Christopher Gerty, Josh Greenlaw,
Spencer Hack, Soo Ah Kang, Elenora Morris, Clare Peterson, Percussion
Calley Skalnik, Andrew Tomlinson Assistant Principal Tim Francom, Principal
Jonathan Craig+ Kristofer Maddigan
Emily Eng Mark Mazur
Ivan Ivanovich+
Valerie Kuinka Orchestra Personnel
Johann Lotter Manager and Music
Rory McLeod+ Administrator
Nicholaos Papadakis+ Raymond Tizzard
Beverley Spotton
Larry Toman* Librarian
Lucie Parent
Cellos
Maurizio Baccante, * On Leave of Absence
+ Additional Musician
Principal
Robert Binet Lorna Geddes Alastair Eng+
Mary Katherine Finch+
Guillaume Côté Pointe Shoe Manager / Olga Laktionova
Elaine Thompson
Choeographic Associates Assistant Ballet Mistress Marianne Pack
Andrew McIntosh
Ernest Abugov Joysanne Sidimus Paul Widner
Jeff Morris
Guest Balanchine Basses
Stage Managers Répétiteur Hans. J.F. Preuss,

* Maternity leave Michael Lewandowski Principal
Paul Langley
Assistant Stage Manager Robert Speer
Cary Takagaki

Page 2 national.ballet.ca

Saturday, December 13 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm Tuesday, December 23 at 1:00 pm & 5:30 pm
Sunday, December 14 at 1:00 pm & 5:30 pm Saturday, December 27 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Wednesday, December 17 at 7:00 pm Sunday, December 28 at 1:00 pm & 5:30 pm
Thursday, December 18 at 7:00 pm Tuesday, December 30 at 1:00 pm & 5:30 pm
Friday, December 19 at 7:00 pm Friday, January 2 at 1:00 & 5:30 pm
Saturday, December 20 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm Saturday, January 3 at 1:00 pm & 5:30 pm
Sunday, December 21 at 1:00 pm & 5:30 pm

presents: The Nutcracker

Choreography and Libretto: James Kudelka. O.C.
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Set and Costume Designs: Santo Loquasto
Lighting Design: Jennifer Tipton
Canada’s National Ballet School Rehearsal Director: Laurel Toto,
assisted by Patrick Kastoff
Répétiteurs: Peter Ottmann, Mandy-Jayne Richardson, Magdalena Popa, Rex Harrington,

Lindsay Fischer, Aleksandar Antonijevic and Lorna Geddes

The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges its collaboration, in the production

of The Nutcracker, with Canada's National Ballet School and students of:

C.R Marchant Middle School Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute
Cawthra Park Secondary School Lycée Français de Toronto
Clarington Central Secondary School Malvern Collegiate Institute
Cobourg District Collegiate Institute West Michael Power High School
Collège Français North Toronto Christian School
Cornerstone Montessori Prep School Northern Secondary School
Cosburn Middle School Nottawa Elementary School
Courtice Intermediate & Secondary School O'Neill Collegiate & Vocational Institute
Danforth Collegiate Institute Our Lady of Lourdes
De La Salle College Rawlinson Community School
Don Mills Collegiate Institute Red Maple Public School
Earl Haig Secondary School Riverdale Collegiate Institute
Etobicoke School of the Arts Rosedale Heights School of The Arts
Fenelon Falls Secondary School St. Joseph's College School
George Harvey Collegiate Institute St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School
Glen Ames Senior Public School The Academy for Gifted Children P.A.C.E
Glenview Senior Public School The Bishop Strachan School
Havergal College Unionville High School
Humberside Collegiate Institute University of Toronto
Inglenook Community High School Victoria Park Collegiate Institute
Kingsway College School York University

Conductors: Earl Stafford, Guest Conductor (Dec 13 eve, 14 mat, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23 eve,
Jan 3 eve)
Nathan Brock, Guest Conductor (Dec 13 mat, 14 eve, 23 mat, 27, 28, 30, Jan 2, 3 mat)

The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra with VIVA! Youth Singers of Toronto,
Carol Woodward Ratzlaff, Founder and Artistic Director

This production of The Nutcracker is dedicated to Celia Franca and Betty Oliphant.
With respect, admiration and gratitude. J.K.

Made possible by generous financial support from production underwriters Sandra & Jim Pitblado,
Lawrence & Ann Heisey and an anonymous friend of the National Ballet.

Page 3

Act I Parents, Children, Aunts, Uncles, Servants,
Bears and a Horse
Scene 1, A Barn Artists of The National Ballet of Canada and
Students of Canada’s National Ballet School
Peter, a stable boy
McGee Maddox (Dec 13 mat, 14 eve, 27 mat, Act I
28 eve, 30 mat, Jan 3 mat)
Guillaume Côté (Dec 13 eve, 17, 19, 21 eve) Scene 2, The Battle of the Tsar of the Mice
Skylar Campbell (Dec 14 mat, 20 mat, 23 mat,
Jan 3 eve) The Nutcracker
Piotr Stanczyk (Dec 18, 20 eve, Jan 2 eve) McGee Maddox (Dec 13 mat, 14 eve, 27 mat,
Evan McKie* (Dec 21 mat, 23 eve, 27 eve) 28 eve, 30 mat, Jan 3 mat)
Keiichi Hirano (Dec 28 mat, 30 eve, Jan 2 mat) Guillaume Côté (Dec 13 eve, 17, 19, 21 eve)
Skylar Campbell (Dec 14 mat, 20 mat, 23 mat,
Marie Jan 3 eve)
Jacqueline Sugianto (Dec 13 mat, 18, 20 eve, Piotr Stanczyk (Dec 18, 20 eve, Jan 2 eve)
23 mat, 28 mat, 30 eve) Evan McKie* (Dec 21 mat, 23 eve, 27 eve)
Clara Corbo (Dec 13 eve, 17, 21 eve, 27 eve, Keiichi Hirano (Dec 28 mat, 30 eve, Jan 2 mat)
28 eve, Jan 2 eve)
Sophia Lisikh (Dec 14 mat, 20 mat, 23 eve, The Tsar of the Mice
27 mat, Jan 2 mat, 3 eve) Dylan Tedaldi or Jack Bertinshaw or
Mathilde Roberge (Dec 14 eve, 19, 21 mat, Christopher Stalzer or Kota Sato
30 mat, Jan 3 mat)
Baby Mice
Misha, Marie’s brother Students of Canada’s National Ballet School
Adam Hone (Dec 13 mat, 18, 20 eve, 23 mat, (Associates Programme)
28 mat, 30 eve)
Gabriel Buell (Dec 13 eve, 17, 21 eve, 27 eve, Dogs, Cats and Mice
28 eve, Jan 2 eve) Students of Canada’s National Ballet
Benjamin Alexander (Dec 14 mat, 20 mat, (Associates Programme) and participating
23 eve, 27 mat, Jan 2 mat, 3 eve) schools listed on Page 3
Cole Sweet (Dec 14 eve, 19, 21 mat, 30 mat,
Jan 3 mat) Goat and Rooster
Armando Biasi or Heather Cook or
Baba, Marie and Misha’s nurse Adam Joshua Norrad or Joshua Sailo+
Krista Dowson∞ (Dec 13 mat, 14 eve, 27 eve,
Jan 2 mat) Act I
Rebekah Rimsay (Dec 13 eve, 19, 21 eve)
Andreea Olteanu* (Dec 14 mat, 20 mat, Scene 3, The Land of Snow
23 mat, Jan 3 eve)
Lise-Marie Jourdain (Dec 17, 20 eve, 28 mat, Snow Queen and her Icicles
30 eve, Jan 2 eve) Xiao Nan Yu, Brent Parolin*, Patrick Lavoie
Alejandra Perez-Gomez (Dec 18, 21 mat, (Dec 13, 17)
23 eve, 27 mat, 28 eve, 30 mat, Jan 3 mat) Tanya Howard, Keiichi Hirano, Naoya Ebe
(Dec 14 mat, 20 mat, 23 mat, Jan 3 mat)
Marie and Misha’s parents Stephanie Hutchison, Brent Parolin*,
Tanya Howard or Stephanie Hutchison or Patrick Lavoie (Dec 14 eve, 27 mat, 28 eve,
Lise-Marie Jourdain or 30 mat)
Alejandra Perez-Gomez Elena Lobsanova, Harrison James,
Jack Bertinshaw (Dec 18, 20 eve)
Jonathan Renna or McGee Maddox or Alexandra MacDonald, Andreas Kaas∞,
Patrick Lavoie or James Leja Félix Paquet* (Dec 19, 21 eve, 23 eve, 27 eve,
Jan 2 eve)
Uncle Nikolai Jenna Savella, Giorgio Galli, Nan Wang
James Leja (Dec 13 mat, 21 mat, 27 mat, (Dec 21 mat, 28 mat, 30 eve, Jan 2 mat,
28 eve, 30 mat, Jan 3 mat) Jan 3 eve)
Robert Stephen (Dec 13 eve, 17, 19, 21 eve,
28 mat, 30 eve, Jan 2 eve) Snow Maidens
Dylan Tedaldi* (Dec 14 mat, 20 mat, 23 mat, Artists of The National Ballet of Canada
Jan 3 eve)
Jonathan Renna (Dec 14 eve, 18, 20 eve, Unicorns
23 eve, 27 eve, Jan 2 mat) Students of Canada’s National Ballet School

Intermission

Page 4 national.ballet.ca

Act II A Sheep
Shaila D’Onofrio* (Dec 13 mat, 14 eve, 18,
The Palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy 20 eve, 27 mat, 30 mat, Jan 3 mat)
Chelsy Meiss (Dec 13 eve, 17, 19, 21 eve,
Courtiers, Guards, Ladies-in-Waiting 23 eve, 28 mat, Jan 2 mat)
Students of Canada’s National Ballet School Elizabeth Marrable (Dec 14 mat, 21 mat,
30 eve, Jan 2 eve)
The Sugar Plum Fairy Lise-Marie Jourdain (Dec 20 mat, 23 mat,
Elena Lobsanova (Dec 13 mat, 14 eve, 27 eve, 28 eve, Jan 3 eve)
27 mat, 28 eve, 30 mat, Jan 3 mat)
Greta Hodgkinson (Dec 13 eve, 17) A Flock of Lambs
Jillian Vanstone (Dec 14 mat, 20 mat, 23 mat, Students of Canada’s National Ballet School
28 mat, 30 eve, Jan 2 mat, 3 eve) (Associates Programme)
Sonia Rodriguez (Dec 18, 20 eve, Jan 2 eve)
Emma Hawes* (Dec 19, 21 eve) A Fox
Svetlana Lunkina (Dec 21 mat, 23 eve, Dylan Tedaldi (Dec 13 mat, 18, 20 eve, 28 eve,
27 eve) Jan 2 eve)
Christopher Stalzer (Dec 13 eve, 17, 23 eve,
Empress Dowager Baba 30 mat)
Krista Dowson∞ (Dec 13 mat, 14 eve, 27 eve, Giorgio Galli (Dec 14 mat, 20 mat, 23 mat)
Jan 2 mat) Robert Stephen (Dec 14 eve, 21 mat, 27 mat,
Rebekah Rimsay (Dec 13 eve, 19, 21 eve) Jan 3 mat)
Andreea Olteanu* (Dec 14 mat, 20 mat, Naoya Ebe (Dec 19, 21 eve, 27 eve, 28 mat,
23 mat, Jan 3 eve) 30 eve, Jan 2 mat, 3 eve)
Lise-Marie Jourdain (Dec 17, 20 eve, 28 mat,
30 eve, Jan 2 eve) Waiters
Alejandra Perez-Gomez (Dec 18, 21 mat, Ethan Watts or Christopher Gerty or
23 eve, 27 mat, 28 eve, 30 mat, Jan 3 mat) Spencer Hack, Félix Paquet or
Patrick Foster, Giorgio Garrett or Kota Sato,
Grand Duke Nikolai Ben Rudisin or Trygve Cumpston or
James Leja (Dec 13 mat, 21 mat, 27 mat, Andrew Tomlinson
28 eve, 30 mat, Jan 3 mat)
Robert Stephen (Dec 13 eve, 17, 19, 21 eve, Chefs
28 mat, 30 eve, Jan 2 eve) Students of Canada’s National Ballet School
Dylan Tedaldi* (Dec 14 mat, 20 mat, 23 mat,
Jan 3 eve) A Bee
Jonathan Renna (Dec 14 eve, 18, 20 eve, Jenna Savella (Dec 13 mat, 21 eve, 23 eve,
23 eve, 27 eve, Jan 2 mat) 27 eve, 28 eve, Jan 2 eve)
Tanya Howard (Dec 13 eve, 17, 19, 21 mat,
Spanish Chocolate 30 eve, Jan 2 mat)
Andreea Olteanu or Jenna Savella or Selene Guerrero-Trujillo (Dec 14 mat, 20 eve,
Chelsy Meiss, Meghan Pugh or 27 mat, 28 mat, Jan 3 eve)
Shaila D’Onofrio or Elizabeth Marrable, Tiffany Mosher (Dec 14 eve, 18, 20 mat,
Christopher Stalzer or 23 mat, 30 mat, Jan 3 mat)
Francesco Gabriele Frola or Dylan Tedaldi
Flowers and Branches
Elizabeth Marrable or Artists of The National Ballet of Canada
Miyoko Koyasu, Chelsy Meiss or Selene
Guerrero-Trujillo or Tiffany Mosher, * Debut
Giorgio Galli or Jack Bertinshaw or ∞ Guest Artist
Jackson Dwyer or Kota Sato
Includes additional dancer
Arabian Coffee Emily Bartosiewicz
Tiffany Mosher or Stephanie Hutchison or + Additional dancers
Jenna Savella or Alexandra MacDonald,
Jonathan Renna or Nan Wang or All casting is subject to change.
Andreas Kaas∞
Running Time
Tanya Howard or Elena Lobsanova or Act 1 – 49 minutes
Chelsy Meiss or Alexandra MacDonald, Intermission – 20 minutes
Keiichi Hirano or Brent Parolin or Act II – 46 minutes
Patrick Lavoie The performance will run approximately
2 hours

Page 5

Synopsis Krista Dowson and students of Canada’s National Ballet School.

Photo by Bruce Zinger.

Act I Nikolai has brought special gifts for all the
It’s the night before Christmas in 19th-century children, but after all the presents have been
Russia, and Marie, Misha, their parents and handed out, there is nothing left for Marie.
their beloved nursemaid Baba are busy Quickly Nikolai gives Marie a Nutcracker in
preparing for the annual Christmas Eve party the shape of a handsome soldier which he'd
at their country estate. As the curtain rises, intended for her parents. The continuing
Peter, the stable boy (and Marie’s and Misha’s hostilities between Marie and Misha erupt
best friend), is sweeping the barn one last once more as they fight over the Nutcracker
time before the guests arrive. until their father confiscates it.

Marie and Misha burst into the barn, Baba takes Marie and Misha back to the
squabbling furiously despite the patient efforts house to put them to bed but inevitably their
of Baba and Peter to calm them down. skirmishes begin again – this time, it's a
Suddenly a rat scuttles across the floor, competition to see who can stay awake the
disrupting everything until Peter outsmarts it. longest. Eventually they fall asleep and their
Four neighbouring families arrive and the magnificent dream begins.
dancing begins.
Just as the clock strikes twelve, six pesky
All of a sudden, a mysterious man dressed little mice scurry in but Nikolai, stranger and
in red appears in a sleigh. It's Nikolai, the wilder than ever, dashes out and scares them
unpredictable uncle who lives down the road, away. Taking pity on poor Marie, he returns
whose alarming spins and flamboyant gestures her Nutcracker, tucks it beneath the nursery
both terrifies and delights the company. Christmas tree and vanishes from sight.
Magically he tweaks bright fresh oranges from
the guests’ ears, hats, and clothes as well Ominously, the children's beds begin to
as producing a pair of dancing bears, one of rock and shake waking Marie and Misha.
them on skates. To crown everything, Nikolai Their Christmas tree has come to life and the
unhitches his old mare and, to everyone's Nutcracker has grown, his features have
amazement, they energetically dance together. somehow been transformed to look exactly

Page 6 national.ballet.ca

Piotr Stanczyk and Artists of the Ballet.

Photo by Bruce Zinger.

like their friend Peter. Act II
Other toys, too, have magically come to life The ice-boat carries the children and the

and a regiment of wolfhounds rides in, only to Nutcracker to the secret Kingdom of the
be vanquished by demonic cats. Then an evil Sugar Plum Fairy, who lives in a beautiful
brigade of mice invades the room to attack Fabergé egg at the centre of a golden palace,
the cats. Meanwhile, the cruel Tsar of the Mice carefully guarded by her loyal courtiers. Nikolai
challenges the Nutcracker to mortal combat and Baba, transformed into the Grand Duke
and all seems lost. and Duchess, are there to greet them.

With the ingenuity of despair Marie and Naturally, the courtiers are eager to discov-
Misha save the Nutcracker by combining er how their unexpected guests happened to
forces to banish the frenzied cats and dogs find the palace and beg the Nutcracker,
and they conquer the Tsar of the Mice with Marie, and Misha to recount their marvellous
their feather pillows. In relief and sheer adventures. As a reward for the children's
exhaustion, Marie, Misha and the Nutcracker courage and compassion, the courtiers order
collapse on the bed. a splendid banquet that mingles grown-up
food with childhood favourites.
The bed begins to move again but this
time it carries them on a magical journey. The first course, much to the children's
Through ice-laced trees and feathery snowflakes delight, is Chocolate, with a delicate Spanish
they see the Snow Queen, supported by two flavouring. The second, Coffee, heralds the
Icicles. Marie, Misha, and the Nutcracker pleasures of adulthood – and oddly enough,
dance joyfully with the snowflakes and the quite the opposite of anyone's expectations, its
Snow Queen bestows upon them a magnificent sinuous fumes put the child-courtiers to sleep!
gift: a beautiful ice-boat attended by unicorns. Embarrassed by the courtiers’ inattentiveness,
Misha and Marie wake everyone up just in
Intermission time to enjoy the spectacle of four inept royal
chefs trying to catch the poultry course.

Page 7

There follow two dances that hint at the has fallen deeply in love with the Sugar Plum
loving nature of parenthood: a bright, cheerful Fairy. All at once the world of the Sugar Plum
Trepak for the Nutcracker and a dance for Fairy begins to vanish and the children find
Baba as a shepherdess with lambs and a themselves in their own room being put to bed
Sheep-princess pursued by a Fox. by Baba. As Marie and Misha fall back to sleep
just before daybreak, the Nutcracker and the
At last four zany Waiters bring in a magical Sugar Plum Fairy bid them goodbye. Somehow
table while the chefs attempt to put the finishing during this night the children have passed
touches on the great repast. When the feast together through the magical yet natural portal
is finally prepared, Marie and Misha assume between childhood and adolescence, and
the places of honour and enjoy a food fight in somehow they know that their lives will never
what may be their last chance to misbehave again be quite the same. Henceforth, like their
as young children. Suddenly all traces of friend the Nutcracker, they will set forth to find
winter have gone, and the palace gates burst and follow their own dreams.
open to admit a single Bee and a host of
Flowers to dance in the warm spring breeze. – Penelope Reed Doob

In the midst of all this excitement, Marie
and Misha have noticed that the Nutcracker

Selected Biographies

Karen Kain, C.C. which she performed many her accomplishments both as
Artistic Director of ballet’s greatest roles with an artist and an advocate for
Long recognized as one of the such companies as Paris the arts. She is a Companion
most gifted classical dancers Opéra Ballet, Roland Petit’s of the Order of Canada, the
of her era, noted for her Le Ballet de Marseilles, the first Canadian recipient of the
compelling characterizations Bolshoi Ballet, London Festival Cartier Lifetime Achievement
and versatility as a performer, Ballet and Vienna State Opera Award and was named an
Artistic Director Karen Kain Ballet. Throughout her career Officer of the Order of Arts
is one of Canada’s most she also developed a close and Letters by the Government
renowned and committed creative partnership with Rudolf of France. In 1997, Ms. Kain
advocates for the arts. Born Nureyev and often performed was honoured with a Governor
in Hamilton, Ontario, Ms. Kain with him. A favourite of some General’s National Arts Centre
received her training at of the world’s most prominent Award and received a Governor
Canada’s National Ballet choreographers, she premiered General’s Award for Lifetime
School in Toronto, joining many new and important Artistic Achievement in 2002.
The National Ballet of Canada works during her time as a From 2004 to 2008, she was
in 1969. She was quickly dancer. Ms. Kain retired from Chair of the Canada Council
promoted to Principal Dancer dancing following a farewell for the Arts. In 2007, she was
with the company after her tour in 1997 and took up the presented with the Barbara
sensational debut as the position of Artist-in-Residence Hamilton Memorial Award
Swan Queen in Swan Lake. In with the National Ballet, a role for demonstrating excellence
1971, Ms. Kain was awarded that was later expanded to and professionalism in the
the Silver Medal in the Women’s that of Artistic Associate. In performing arts. In 2008, the
Category at the prestigious 2004, she restaged Rudolf Karen Kain School for the
International Ballet Competition Nureyev’s landmark version Arts officially opened, a tribute
in Moscow and, along with of The Sleeping Beauty for the to Ms. Kain’s ongoing
her frequent partner at the company and the following contributions to the cultural
time, Frank Augustyn, received year was named Artistic life of her country, and in
a special prize for Best Pas Director. Ms. Kain has 2011, Ms. Kain was honoured
de Deux. Subsequently, she received many Canadian and by the International Society for
embarked on a remarkable international awards through- the Performing Arts with the
international career during out her career, testifying to Distinguished Artist Award.

Page 8 national.ballet.ca

Barry Hughson interest in exploring innovative Award, both Outer Critics
Executive Director approaches. While adept in the Circle and Drama Desks
Barry Hughson has served classical ballet vocabulary, he Awards and a total of 17 Tony
the performing arts field for infuses it with a contemporary nominations. For film, Mr.
22 years as a professional sensibility acquired from his Loquasto has received
arts executive. In 2014, he intense interest in modern Academy Award nominations
joined The National Ballet of movement idioms. Mr. Kudelka’s for production design for
Canada as Executive Director. work covers an impressive Woody Allen's Bullets Over
Mr. Hughson was previously range, from virtuoso pas de Broadway and Radio Days
Executive Director of Boston deux, through large-scale and and for costume design for
Ballet. Under Mr. Hughson’s always arresting adaptations Allen's Zelig. Other film credits
leadership, Boston Ballet of such classics as Swan include Desperately Seeking
achieved several key Lake, The Nutcracker and Susan, Big and, most recently,
milestones, including the Cinderella, to boldly innovative Blue Jasmine.
retirement of its long term creative collaborations with
debt, completing a multi- dancers, designers and Jennifer Tipton
million dollar renovation of the musicians. Mr. Kudelka has Lighting Designer
ballet’s headquarters and never been afraid to tackle Jennifer Tipton is well known
international tours to Canada, psychologically challenging for her work in dance, theatre
Spain, Finland and the UK, subject matter in his story and opera. Her recent work in
as well as raising more ballets – he views dance as theatre includes On Borrowed
than $60 million dollars in a primary medium of artistic Time, directed by Joel Grey at
contributed revenue. As an discourse – and through his Two River Theater Company
arts advocate, consultant and gift for movement metaphor and In The Year Of 13 Moons,
educator, Mr. Hughson has infuses poetic, emotional directed by Robert Woodruff
had teaching and speaking meaning into his many non- at the Yale Repertory Theater.
engagements in the USA, narrative works. After nine In opera, her recent work
Europe and South America. distinguished years as Artistic includes Don Giovanni, directed
He is the Vice Chair of Director of The National Ballet by Daniel Witzke at Opera San
Dance/USA, North America’s of Canada (1996 to 2005), Mr. Jose and La Clemenza Di Tito,
largest service organization Kudelka continues to under- directed by Sir David McVicar
for professional dance. He take collaborative projects that at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
is a founding member of engage and challenge him as In dance, Ms. Tipton’s work
Dance/USA’s National a choreographer. includes Alexei Ratmansky’s
Leadership Council for Dance, Shostakovitch Trilogy for San
and has served as a mentor Santo Loquasto Francisco Ballet and American
to emerging arts executives Set and Costume Designer Ballet Theatre as well as Paul
through the Institute for Santo Loquasto is a designer Taylor’s American Dreamer.
Leadership Training. Mr. for dance, theatre and film. Ms. Tipton teaches lighting
Hughson began his career as He has collaborated with at the Yale School of Drama.
a dancer with The Washington choreographers Jerome She received the Dorothy and
(DC) Ballet, where he Robbins, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Lillian Gish Prize in 2001, the
performed classical and Kenneth MacMillan, Agnes Jerome Robbins Prize in 2003
contemporary repertoire at de Mille, James Kudelka and and the Mayor’s Award for
the Kennedy Center and on Mark Morris. Twyla Tharp's Arts and Culture in New York
tour throughout the world. Push Comes to Shove marked City in April 2004. In 2008,
the beginning of a long-term Ms. Tipton was made a
James Kudelka, O.C. relationship with American United States Artists Gracie
Choreographer Ballet Theatre. As designer Fellow and a MacArthur
James Kudelka is widely for the Paul Taylor Dance Fellow.
acknowledged as one of North Company, he has designed
America’s most innovative a total of 49 pieces. Mr. David Briskin
choreographers. His mastery Loquasto received his first Music Director and
of both classical ballet and Tony in 1977 for costume Principal Conductor
modern, contemporary dance designs for The Cherry Orchard. One of the foremost ballet
has earned him commissions In 1989, he won both the Tony conductors at work today,
from companies – some 25 and Drama Desk Awards for David Briskin is renowned
in all – as stylistically diverse his set design of the New York for the scope of his repertoire
as American Ballet Theatre, Shakespeare Festival's Café and the depth and beauty of
Chicago’s Hubbard Street Crown and, in 1990, he again his interpretations. Whether in
Dance and Les Ballets Jazz won both awards for his the classical or contemporary
de Montréal. Even as a student costume design for Grand idiom, from works steeped
at Canada’s National Ballet Hotel. For his other work in in tradition to cutting edge
School, Mr. Kudelka demon- theatre, he has received an modern compositions, Mr.
strated a choreographic Obie, the Joseph Maharam Briskin brings a sure hand and

Page 9

a sensitive understanding to his “deeply felt interpretations” conductor with many
the dramatic and choreographic (La Presse, Montreal). orchestras including the
life of the music he conducts. Resident Conductor of the Toronto Symphony, the
Before joining The National Montreal Symphony Orchestra, National Arts Centre
Ballet of Canada in 2006, Mr. Mr. Brock began his tenure Orchestra, Kitchener Waterloo
Briskin served as conductor at the Montreal Symphony Symphony, Edmonton
with American Ballet Theatre as Assistant Conductor in Symphony, Calgary
in New York City for seven September 2009. In recognition Philharmonic, Windsor
years, directing performances of his artistic contributions to Symphony and the Winnipeg
at the Metropolitan Opera the orchestra he was promoted Symphony Orchestra.
House, City Center and to Resident Conductor in the Internationally, he has
numerous ballet and opera spring of 2012. Since joining appeared with the Tokyo
houses around the world. the orchestra he has conducted Philharmonic, the Hungarian
In demand as a guest over 65 performances making State Opera, the Scottish
conductor, Mr. Briskin has his subscription week debut Chamber Orchestra, the
worked with such companies in April 2010 and collaborating Queen's Hall Orchestra of
as New York City Ballet, San with artists such as Maxim London and the Theatre
Francisco Ballet, The Joffrey Vengerov and Stephen Hough. Harmony Orchestra of
Ballet, Houston Ballet, Les Recently, Mr. Brock had highly Moscow. Maestro Stafford
Grands Ballets and Alberta successful appearances in has collaborated with many
Ballet. He appears regularly France with l’Orchestre of the world's finest artists
at Covent Garden in London National des Pays de la Loire including James Ehnes,
with The Royal Ballet, most with Soloist Jian Wang and Angela Hewitt, Josh Groban,
recently conducting the world with Symphony Nova Scotia Oscar Peterson, Kyoko
premiere of Christopher as a last minute replacement Takezawa and Mel Torme,
Wheeldon’s The Winter’s Tale for a performance of Mahler’s to name a few.
(a co-production with The Fourth Symphony. In addition
National Ballet of Canada) to two subscription weeks and Ernest Abugov
featuring an original score more than a dozen special Stage Manager
by Joby Talbot. For three concerts with the Montreal Ernest (Ernie) Abugov will
seasons, Mr. Briskin served Symphony, Brock’s 2013-14 retire at the end of this coming
as Music Director of Pittsburgh season included return June, having served as Stage
Ballet Theatre and was engagements with Symphony Manager of The National
Conductor for The Juilliard Nova Scotia and The National Ballet of Canada since 1973.
School’s Dance Division from Ballet of Canada and his He has worked with every
1993 to 2005. In 2008, Parisian debut with the Artistic Director in the
Mr. Briskin was appointed Orchestre National D’Ile de company’s history from Celia
Assistant Professor and France with Soloist Juliette Franca to Karen Kain and has
Director of Orchestral Studies Hurel. traveled with the company
at the University of Toronto around the world touring to
Faculty of Music. Mr. Briskin’s Earl Stafford Israel, Asia, Europe, Mexico
versatility has also seen him Guest Conductor and throughout North America.
conduct symphony and opera Canadian pianist and conductor Mr. Abugov has worked with
productions throughout the Earl Stafford has performed many of the world’s most
Americas, Europe and Asia, around the world, receiving renowned choreographers
with such orchestras as the critical accolades for his who have created original
Pittsburgh, Detroit, Baltimore, performances. He was awarded works for the National Ballet
Indianapolis and Windsor the gold medal as Best including Alexei Ratmansky,
Symphony Orchestras, the Accompanist at the 1980 John Neumeier, William
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra International Ballet Forsythe and Glen Tetley. Mr.
and the National Symphony Competition in. In 1984, Abugov was born in Montréal,
Orchestra of Costa Rica, and Maestro Stafford was appointed Québec. Before beginning
with such opera companies Music Director and Principal his long association with the
as Calgary Opera, Manitoba Conductor for 's Royal National Ballet, he worked
Opera, Opera Carolina, Lake Winnipeg Ballet, a position with Les Feux Follets, The
George Opera and Sarasota he held until 2009. In addition Charlottetown Festival,
Opera. to his work with the RWB, he La Poudriere Theatre and
served as Artistic Director for The Studio Lab Theatre.
Nathan Brock the Saskatoon Symphony He worked at Expo ’67 in
Guest Conductor from 1997-2002 and again Montréal, stage managing
Award winning conductor as interim music director from over 4,000 puppet shows.
Nathan Brock is emerging as 2008-2010. He has also been Mr. Abugov also toured with
one of the most talented and on faculty for the Banff Centre Harry Belafonte. In what little
versatile conductors of his for the Arts and the of 's and spare time that he has,
generation, well regarded has made numerous recordings Mr. Abugov guest-lectures
for his “ferocious intensity” for CBC. Mr. Stafford enjoys to theatre students.
(Chronicle Herald, Halifax) and a very active career as guest

Page 10 national.ballet.ca

Jeff Morris Il Trovatore, Lady Macbeth a comprehensive academic
Stage Manager education and residence for
Born in Toronto, Jeff Morris of Mtsensk, Dialogues des
studied technical theatre Carmélites, Hansel & Gretel, students in grades 6 to 12,
production and administration Cinderella, La Serva Padrona and intensive dance training
at Ryerson’s Theatre School. & The Nightingale and Other for post-secondary students.
After leaving Ryerson, he Short Fables (Canadian Opera NBS also offers a full-time
became Production Stage Company). For television he Teacher Training Program as
Manager for Toronto Dance has been the floor director of well as part-time programs for
Theatre (1990 – 1995). With Indspire Awards since 2005 practicing teachers, children
Toronto Dance Theatre he (formally National Aboriginal ages 6 to 17 (the Associates
toured extensively, stage Achievement Awards). Select Program) and recreational
managing the company’s festival work includes Just classes for adults. Close to
debuts in Berlin, Warsaw, for Laughs Festival (Toronto) 1,500 students ranging in age
Beijing, Tokyo, and at the & Westfest (Ottawa). from 6 to 82 take classes at
Joyce Theater, New York. NBS’ award-winning facilities
He was Production Stage each week. Graduates can be
Manager for Dancers For Life The National Ballet of found as dancers, teachers,
(AIDS Committee of Toronto,
1991 – 1997), Stage Manager Canada Orchestra
for Theatre Passe-Muraille The National Ballet of Canada choreographers and Artistic
(Never Swim Alone, is privileged to have its own Directors in over 65 dance
Metamorphosis of a Shadow) full Orchestra with over 60 companies and even more
and for the Fringe Festival of members. The Orchestra has schools around the globe.
Independent Dance Artists. performed in each of the For more information on the
Mr. Morris joined The National National Ballet’s seasons and School and its programs,
Ballet of Canada in 1995 and is led by Music Director and please visit www.nbs-enb.ca.
has since stage-managed a Principal Conductor David
wide range of the company’s Briskin. The company’s first
unique classical and Music Director was George VIVA! Youth Singers of
contemporary repertoire, VIVA! Youth Singers of
including the world premieres Crum who, along with Toronto is a vibrant, innovative
of James Kudelka’s The Four Founder Celia Franca, was choral organization for children
Seasons, Cinderella, and An a pioneer of the company. aged four through young
Italian Straw Hat, Jean-Pierre Mr. Crum held the position adults, whose mission is to
Perreault’s The Comforts from the company’s inception provide young people with
of Solitude, Crystal Pite’s in 1951 to 1984, when he artistically excellent musical
Emergence, and Alexei was appointed Music Director opportunities in a supportive,
Ratmansky’s Romeo and Emeritus. The Orchestra was inclusive environment.
Juliet. Company premieres led by Ermanno Florio from Founded by Carol Woodward
include John Neumeier’s 1985 to 1990. Ormsby Ratzlaff, VIVA! is comprised
Nijinsky and Christopher Wilkins was Music Director of 130 choristers who,
Wheeldon’s Alice’s and Principal Conductor from in addition to performing
Adventures in Wonderland. 1990 to 2006. The National excellent choral music at a
Ballet of Canada Orchestra high level, study music theory
Michael Lewandowski has toured extensively with and develop sight-singing
Assistant Stage Manager the company through Canada, skills. VIVA! has an enduring
Born in Włocławek, Poland, the US and Europe. Over relationship with The National
Michael Lewandowski studied the years, the Orchestra has Ballet of Canada, performing
technical theatre production received much acclaim from in more than 20 performances
at York University, Toronto. audiences and critics alike of The Nutcracker each
His work for The National and has recorded two CDs of Holiday Season for the last
Ballet of Canada includes The Michael Torke’s compositions 15 years. Recognized for its
Nutcracker and the New York for The Contract (The Pied commissions and diverse
tour of Alice’s Adventures in Piper) and An Italian Straw programming, VIVA! has
Wonderland. Theatre work Hat. The Orchestra made their appeared onstage at many
includes the world premiere concert debut at Koerner major Toronto concert venues
and UK tour of da kink in my Hall on April 3, 2012, in with leading artists and toured
hair (Toronto Fringe Festival celebration of the company’s to England, Wales and Greece
& Hackney Empire), The 60th anniversary. where they were silver
Pillowman (Canadian Stage medalists in both the SSA
Theatre) and Drystreak and SATB divisions of the
(Grand Theatre). Past opera Canada’s National Ballet Preveza International Choral
credits include Love Songs
(Queen of Puddings), War School
& Peace, Death in Venice, Canada’s National Ballet Competition. www.vivay-
Carmen, La Bohème, Elektra, School (NBS) is a world leader outhsingers.com
in the training of professional
ballet dancers and teachers. For more information, visit
NBS’ core program is the
Professional Ballet Program national.ballet.ca

which provides full-time classical
ballet training integrated with

Heather Ogden. Photo by Christopher Wahl.

Page 11