Asia Aronovich

Asia Aronovich received her musical training in the Ukraine at the Ural State Conservatory and holds a Master's degree in piano performance. She has played solo concerts in several Ukrainian cities and has been an accompanist for Canadian music competitions as well as for master classes. Asia has been on the artistic staff at NBS since 1997.

Olga Averbach

Olga Averbach received her musical training in the Ukraine at the Donetsk Music College and earned a Master's degree in piano performance at the Donetsk State Conservatory. She led a successful career as a solo pianist in the Ukraine before spending 1990–1995 in Israel, where she was an accompanist for dancers taking RAD examinations. Olga has been a musician at NBS since 2000, and also plays for ballet classes in recreational dance schools throughout Toronto.

Tanya Gordon

Tanya Gordon is a graduate of the State Conservatory of Music in Gorky, Russia, graduating with a Masters' Degree in Performing Arts and History of Music and Composition. A musician at NBS since 2003, Tanya provides inspiring music for all types of ballet classes held at the School. She is also a guest pianist at several dance schools in the Toronto area, including the Sean Boutillier Academy of Dance, as well as an accompanist for Cecchetti exams. In 2011, Ms Gordon released her first album, Music for Ballet Class (available on iTunes).

Valentina Gurovsky

Valentina Gurovsky received a performance and teaching degree from the State College of Music in St. Petersburg, Russia. Upon graduation, she was accepted into the world-renowned Leningrad State Conservatory and received a graduate degree in piano performance. Valentina received first prize at the 1967 Chamber Ensemble Competition as well as at the Piano Solo Competition in 1969.

In 1987, Valentina joined the artistic staff at NBS. Over the past 20 years, she has provided musical accompaniment for ballet, character and historical dance classes, as well as for rehearsals and performances by the students. Her most recent performance was Allegro Brillante for the 2007 Spring Showcase. Valentina has also worked as a musician for York University, Ryerson University, the Bayview School of Ballet, the Pegasus Dance School and the National Ballet of Canada.

Marina Surgan

Marina Surgan has been the principal pianist for NBS since 1986. Born and classically trained in the former Soviet Union, Marina immigrated to Toronto in 1975 and joined NBS in 1978. Highlights of her creative career include composing music for the Cecchetti grade examinations, recording music for the Prix de Lausanne, conducting accompanist workshops and playing for master classes.

Through her work at NBS, Marina has travelled to countries around the world including Mexico, Europe, the United States, and Japan, as well as to cities across Canada. In December 2006, she recorded her first CD, Marina Surgan – Live, which includes 51 piano pieces suitable for ballet classes of all ages and levels. Her second CD, 20 Greatest Classical Variations, was recorded in 2007. In addition to being a gifted pianist, Marina is also a wonderful teacher. In August 2007, she participated in the Nordic Seminar in Finland, where she conducted workshops for ballet teachers and accompanists.

Julia Lifshine

Julia Lifshine trained as a musician at the Leningrad School of Music and Leningrad's Conservatory College. She has been a musician with NBS since 1994, and plays for ballet, pointe and character classes. Julia is also an accompanist at the Martha Hicks School of Ballet.

Rob Thaller

Rob Thaller holds a BFA degree from the University of Saskatchewan and a master's in music from the University of Rochester. In 2002 he began playing for Music Night at NBS, and became a full-time staff member in 2006. Rob has also played at the Ontario School of Ballet, the Pegasus School of Ballet and the Humber College Community School. He has recently released his first Latin jazz CD, entitled Ritmo Azul.

Craig Wingrove

Craig Wingrove graduated from York University with an honours BFA in music, and from the Royal Conservatory of Music, where he received his ARCT in piano performance. A musician at NBS since 1991, he is also a regular guest pianist at the National Ballet of Canada.

Over the course of his career, Craig has produced and recorded six CDs of music for ballet classes and written a book of original piano music pieces entitled Of Note. His piece Improvisation #4 was featured in the 2005 Hollywood film The Man, in which he played himself. Craig has written music for nine children's musicals and one pop/rock opera with The Really Little Theatre Company.

In addition to playing for ballet classes at NBS, Craig is an integral part of the School's outreach initiatives and he has travelled with NBS ballet teachers throughout Canada, conducting movement and music workshops for elementary school children.

Craig Ziebarth

Craig Ziebarth received his music education at the University of Calgary, where he majored in piano performance. From 1990 to 1999, he was a full-time accompanist in the Faculty of Dance at York University, after which he joined the staff at NBS. A talented musician, Craig is heavily involved in the Canadian music community and also works extensively in the United States as both a ballet and modern dance accompanist. In the course of his career, Craig has travelled and worked in England and China as well as throughout the United States and Canada.