Canada's National Ballet School | NBS

Coming to the stage of Canada’s National Ballet School’s 2026 Spring Showcase is a revival of Peggy Baker’s remarkable 1992 solo, “Brahms Waltzes”. Peggy Baker is one of Canada’s most celebrated and influential dance artists, and we are honoured to have her working with our students on this performance project. The deep and complex emotions of a young woman poised on the threshold of great change are captured in this early work by one of the country’s most prominent female choreographic voices. About Peggy Baker: Peggy Baker is a renowned artist, respected as a performer in the work of esteemed Canadian and American creators; as an educator in conservatory dance programs throughout North America; as a champion of live music for dance; and as a choreographer of potent and visually striking works for her Toronto based company, Peggy Baker Dance Projects (1990 - 20223) with presentation in theatres, galleries, public spaces and on media screens across Canada and U.S., as well as Mexico, Argentina, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Korea, and Japan. Among her many awards: The Order of Canada, the Governor General’s Award and The Carsen Prize. 📸 by Aleksandar Antonjevic

Announcing the choreographers for our 2026 Spring Showcase! This year's Spring Showcase will feature John Alleyne’s expressive work "Schubert". First created for Ballet BC in 2000, the piece unfolds in soulful long extended choreographic sequences, driven by discordant harmonies and syncopation. The work is an act of play; an act of sorrow; an act of movement that is in reality how we are in the world. We are thrilled for our Professional Ballet Program students to have the opportunity to bring this esteemed work by John Alleyne, renowned choreographer, dancer, artistic leader, and NBS Alum, to the School's Anna McCowan-Johnson Stage this Spring. About John Alleyne: Born in Barbados, John immigrated to Canada with his family in 1965. He was accepted to Canada’s National Ballet School’s Professional Ballet Program, joining in 1971 as the first Black Canadian student at the School. After graduating from NBS in 1978, he joined the Stuttgart Ballet where he began his choreographic career. John returned to Canada in 1984 and joined The National Ballet of Canada as a First Soloist, accepting the position as the company’s resident choreographer from 1990 to 1992. John was appointed Artistic Director of Ballet BC in 1992. His leadership marked the beginning of a creative and prosperous period in the company's history. John implemented assertive outreach strategies for strengthening the company’s identity locally, nationally and internationally. A number of internationally respected companies, festivals and institutions have commissioned new choreography from John. He is the recipient of many prestigious awards acknowledging his outstanding contribution to the world of dance, including the first-ever honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Simon Fraser University (2003), the Exceptional Achievement Award in the Performing Arts from the Black Historical and Cultural Society of British Columbia (2005), the African-Canadian Achievement Award for Excellence in the Arts and Entertainment (2016), among many others. He is also the Artistic Advisor, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Canada’s National Ballet School. Stay tuned for more about Schubert & Spring Showcase 2026!

Happy #tututuesday! We love the golden glow of the tutu in this emotive moment from James Kudelka's SCHOOL. 📸 by Bruce Zinger, Spring Showcase 2018

We can't wait to welcome you to the Spring term of our popular Adult Ballet classes! Whether you're a seasoned dancer looking to refine your technique and artistry or taking your very first steps in ballet, you can choose the level that suits you best. Learn more about our Adult Ballet classes and get dancing this spring at the link in our bio.

This summer is the perfect time to explore dance in our Young Dancers Program Summer Immersion! From August 4-14, your dancer can choose their summer dance experience from two streams of programming offered: Summer Immersion: Open Dance OR Summer Immersion: Intensive Ballet. Young dancers can enjoy honing their technique and spending time with their dance loving peers! Plan your summer today and learn more at the link in our bio. 📸 by Johan Persson

Save the Date! The LEAD—Leadership, Empowerment, Action, Dance—National Summit Returns to Toronto August 4-9, 2026. Join fellow participants 16-25, who identify as women and nonbinary+ from across the country for five days of free active workshops, dance classes, facilitated discussions, and peer networking. Visit the link in our bio to learn more and stay tuned for April 7 when applications open!