Laurel Toto

Laurel Toto began studying dance with Anna and Igor Youskevitch in New York City. She continued her dance training at the High School of the Performing Arts and the Joffrey School of Ballet. In her early career, she performed with the New Orleans Ballet, where she had the opportunity to work closely with Harvey Hysell and Ivan Nagy. Throughout her professional career, Toto has enjoyed working on both classical and contemporary repertoires.

A graduate of the Teacher Training Program at Canada's National Ballet School, Toto joined the NBS staff in 1983, where she continues to work today. She is currently the Head of the Junior School and also teaches ballet, pointe, historical and character dance to students in the Professional Ballet Academic Program. Toto also directs the rehearsal process for NBS students for National Ballet of Canada productions, including the annual production of The Nutcracker.

Working at NBS for over thirty years has allowed Toto to form significant relationships with her colleagues, parents and students, from whom she gains inspiration each and every day.