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A large crowd gathered for Sharing Dance Day.
Students perform in Arise.
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Alumni

Welcome NBS Alumni!


A Global Community of Artists and Leaders


 

At NBS, we proudly celebrate YOU: our Alumni who, since 1959, have made significant strides as celebrated ballet dancers, beloved dance teachers, world-renowned choreographers, trailblazing artistic directors, leaders in the arts, social change-makers, doctors, academics, psychologists, filmmakers, lawyers, and so much more.

 

We invite you to stay engaged by joining our online community NBS Connect, subscribing to our monthly newsletter, attending events, participating in award nominations and other networking opportunities. Please be sure to share your memories, stories and career highlights with us along the way! Your skills, talents and experiences are valuable tools that can help support each other, our staff and our student community, especially as they head off into the professional world or stand at the threshold of career transitions.

 

NBS Alumni includes students who have shared at least one year of their lives with NBS in the Professional Ballet-Academic Program (PBP) or the Company Life Program (CLP) (formerly the Post-Secondary Program), and graduates of the Teacher Training Program (TTP).

 

Click here to login or register to join NBS Connect

NBS’ 65th Anniversary Alumni Reunion

Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS) is celebrating 65 years as a global leader in ballet training—and you’re invited! In November 2024, the School will welcome former students, graduates, and staff to join us on campus for a weekend of reconnecting with old friends and faculty, reminiscing about past experiences, and rediscovering our mutual love of dance. Mark your calendars, dust off your dancing shoes, and get ready to celebrate with us!

 

Dive into the Reunion Schedule Below and Plan Your Weekend!

In-person activities will take place at 400 and 404 Jarvis Street, and 105 Maitland, Toronto. All classes and observations will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early to secure your spot based on room capacities.

 

Hybrid activities, offering virtual access through Zoom or livestream, are marked with an asterisk (*). All times are listed in Eastern Standard Time (EST).

 

Friday, November 8th

  • 12:30 pm: Registration & Merchandise Pickup

  • 1:00 pm: NBS Open House (student-led tours of the NBS Campus)

  • *2:45 pm - 3:45 pm: Teacher Training Program Gathering (for current and alumni TTP)

  • 2:45 pm–4:45 pm: Nutcracker Student Rehearsal (taught by Laurel Toto)

  • *5:15 pm: Welcome Gathering (in The Betty Oliphant Theatre)

  • 6:15 pm - 8:00 pm: Welcome Reception (in Mona Campbell Square)

 

Saturday, November 9th

  • 10:00 am: Registration & Merchandise Pickup, and NBS Open House (student-led tours of the NBS Campus)

  • 10:00 am - 10:40 am: Alumni Ballet Class (taught by Rebekah Rimsay)

  • *10:15 am - 11:00 am: Ballet Training Observation with Grade 12 Women (taught by Raymond Smith)

  • 10:45 am - 11:25 am: Alumni Gaga Inspired Contemporary Class (taught by Keith Morino)

  • 10:45 am - 12:30 pm: Nutcracker Student Rehearsal (taught by Laurel Toto)

  • *11:15 am - 12:00 pm: Serenade Student Rehearsal (taught by Margaret Tracey)

  • 11:30 am - 12:10 pm: Alumni Ballet Class (taught by Sergiu Stefanschi)

  • 12:15 pm - 12:50 pm: Alumni Contemporary Class (taught by Peggy Baker)

  • *12:15 pm - 1:00 pm: Rehearsal Observation of Company Life Program Men (with choreographer Robert Stephen)

  • 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm: Teacher Training Program Barn Dance (all welcome)

  • 12:45 pm: Lunch Buffet (ticketed event - $50)

  • *2:15 pm: 2024 Ken McCarter Award Ceremony

  • *3:00 pm: Closing Assembly

  • 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Closing Cocktail (ticketed event - $50)


Don't Miss the $65 Bundle for the Lunch Buffet & Closing Cocktail—Offer Ends Soon! 
Tickets are $50 per event (or $65 for both events if purchased before October 10, 2024). Ticket costs directly offset food and beverage offerings. Buffet includes hot lunch service (salad, vegetables, starch, protein, fresh fruit, sweets, refreshments, coffee and tea). Closing Party includes passed canapés and host bar access.

 

Register to attend

 

If you would like to attend a paid portion of the Alumni Event but are unable to purchase a ticket, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your request. Refund policy: For paid events, cancellations are accepted and eligible for a full refund before October 25, 2024. Cancellations for free activities are not required, but appreciated. 

 

Curious about who's attending the reunion?

Click here to check out our attendee list and see which fellow alumni, former and current staff will be there!

 

 

Unable to attend in person?

Select reunion activities will be livestreamed and/or recorded to be made available after the event. Hybrid activities, offering virtual access through Zoom or livestream, are marked with an asterisk (*). All times are listed in Eastern Standard Time (EST). To register for the Virtual Alumni Reunion Experience, please click the link below.

 

Register to attend virtually

Travel

Exclusive Airfare Discount for NBS Alumni.

Travelling by air? Get an alumni discount code and save on all Air Canada travel to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) or Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ). This offer is available for travel booked between November 1-16, 2024, and is exclusive to Alumni Reunion attendees.

  • 10% Standard

  • 18% Flex-Comfort-Latitude

  • 10% Premium Economy Low—18% Premium Economy Flex

  • 10% Business Class Low—18% Business Flex

 

Official Canadian Airline

Login or register for NBS Connect to access the promocode.

 

Accommodations

Exclusive Hotel Rates for NBS Alumni.

NBS has partnered with Town Inn Suites (620 Church Street, Toronto) to provide the NBS Alumni Community with specialty discounted hotel rates for this event. King, Two-Doubles, and Two-Bedroom Suites are all available within this offer. Special rates are available for November 7-11, 2024. Rooms are limited, so don’t wait to book! Click here for details on rooms, amenities and location.

 

Login or register for NBS Connect to access the discounted booking link.

Special Offer from Dance Collection Danse

Discounted 2024 DCD Hall of Fame Awards Gala tickets for NBS Alumni.

Join the Canadian ballet community for evening to honour dynamic, lifelong contributions to dance in Canada, Sunday, November 10, 2024. NBS Alumni have been extended an exclusive promo code to access discounted tickets. Regular price $225 | NBS price = $175.

 

Highlights will include:

  • NBS alumni inductees Frank Augustyn and Nadia Potts, with Trailblazers Celia Franca and Betty Oliphant

  • Live ceremony featuring celebrity presenters

  • Sumptuous food stations and cocktail reception

  • Fabulous live performances by the current generation of elite dancers

  • Complimentary parking on median between Eastbound and Westbound Lake Shore Blvd.

Visit www.halloffame.dcd.ca to learn about all of this year’s inductees, and for ongoing Hall of Fame updates.

 

Login or register for NBS Connect to access the discounted booking link

Ideas Exchange for Ballet Teachers

Workshops taking place from November 6-8, 2024

Enhance your experience by registering for the Ideas Exchange for Ballet Teachers—a great chance to blend professional development with your reunion activities! Participate in workshops on wellbeing in dance and connect with fellow educators and NBS faculty.

 

Choose between two streams: Pointe Progressions or Classical and Contemporary Partnering & Use of Imagery.

 

Visit: Ideas Exchange for Ballet Teachers 2024 to learn more, and be sure to email ttp.admin@nbs-enb.ca to get your exclusive alumni discount!

How to Access Alumni Discounts

Having trouble finding these special offers?

Click here for a How-To guide on where to locate these deals in NBS Connect: our digital alumni community.

65th Alumni Reunion FAQs

Get answers to your questions!

Click here to explore our 65th Alumni Reunion Frequently Asked Questions, also available in the NBS Connect Resources section.

Now Available: Limited Edition NBS Alumni Merch

Now Available: Limited Edition NBS Alumni Merch

Shop the limited edition NBS Alumni Merchandise Collection and display your NBS pride! Tote bag, baseball cap, crew neck sweater, and yoga jacket.

 

Show off your NBS pride with the brand-new NBS Alumni Merchandise Collection! Each purchase includes a $5 donation directly supporting Canada’s National Ballet School. Hurry—these limited-edition items won’t last long! Place your orders now for pickup on campus during the reunion on November 8th and 9th, or opt for shipping if you prefer. Don’t miss out!


Click to buy browse and purchase from the NBS Alumni Merchandise Collection. 

 

If an item you wish to purchase is out of stock or if you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact The Shoe Room at 416-964-5100.

 

 

Class Ring Replacement

 

Lost your NBS graduating class ring? Let us know by contacting alumni@nbs-enb.ca, and we will make arrangements to have it replaced in advance of the November event. Applicable fees will apply.

Share Your Photos

Share them on NBS Connect to be featured at the event in November! Login or register for NBS Connect and post your photos or video to the feed. Be sure to tag your classmates and give a brief caption that highlights the year, instructor, alumni, and/or performance specifics.

 

Click to share your photos on NBS Connect

Alumni Think Tank and Class Representatives

NBS’ 65th Anniversary Alumni Reunion and other alumni initiatives have been made possible thanks to the ongoing support of our Alumni Think Tank, whose volunteering of time and expertise has been invaluable to the planning and execution of the November event. Thank you.

 

Gail Aiken (’68), Grace Castaneda (‘88), Barbara Desrochers (‘79),

Christopher Hird (’03), Monika Berger Joslin (‘87),

Gloria Luoma (’71), Valerie Madonia (’79), Linda Maybarduk-Alguire (’68),

Tess Saare McLean (’76), Simon McNally (’18), Mike Spendlove (’96),

Deborah Todd-Thompson (’76), Dominique Turcotte (‘77/80)

 

Class Representatives

 

NBS’ Alumni Class Reps serve a vital role, helping to promote reunions and other alumni initiatives, mobilizing former classmates, and supporting virtual and in-person gatherings at Canada’s National Ballet School.

 

We are missing class reps for 1963, 1964, 1965, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014. If you are interested in becoming a Class Rep for your year, please contact us at alumni@nbs-enb.ca. 

The Ken McCarter Award

Annual Alumni Distinction


Named in honour of Ken McCarter, an NBS Board Director for eight years, the Ken McCarter Award for Distinguished NBS Alumni acknowledges contributions made by NBS alumni across all sectors and disciplines around the globe.

The 2024 Laureates will be formally announced and celebrated in autumn 2024! Visit the link below to learn more about The Ken McCarter Award and meet past award recipients.

Learn more
NBS Connect: A Virtual Hub

NBS Connect: A Virtual Hub

Interact with hundreds of your peers through NBS’ digital alumni community

 

NBS Connect is a virtual gathering place for alumni of every generation and program; a home-base built for alumni to connect, share, promote, mentor, collaborate, reminisce, engage, ignite, and celebrate.

 

Why join NBS Connect?

  • Reconnect with classmates, and participate in conversations with peers from multiple generations and programs – all with a shared educational background and passion for dance.

  • A free, and user-friendly platform that will help businesses, arts leaders and dancers alike reach new audiences, and connect with potential collaborators, customers and volunteers.

  • Stay up-to-date with current NBS news, alumni activities and stories – and enjoy photo, video and interactive media opportunities to reminisce

 

By joining NBS Connect, you’re cultivating a culture of helping and giving back through staying a part of the ongoing dialogue, sharing your connections, skills, talents and expertise. We can’t wait to see you there! 

 

Login or Register Now!

Reunion Supporters


With heartfelt gratitude to our generous donors for making this alumni event unforgettable. Your support brings our community closer together.


 

 

 

Official Canadian Airline Partner

Official Hotel Partner

Golden Jubilee Supporters

Tess Saare McLean

Generous Supporters

Maritel Centurion | Kathleen Hamm | Carolyn McCready | Keith Morino | Esther Murillo | David Nixon & Yoko Ichino | William D. Poole | Mary Ross | Patricia Savage | Tomas Schramek | Denise Simpson | Timothy Spain | Mike & Angel Spendlove | Jennifer Takahashi | Deborah Todd Thompson | Claire Wootten | Maggie L. Wygant

Support the Reunion


Are you or a corporate partner interested in sponsoring the event?


Click here to learn about support opportunities, recognition and benefits, or contact Samantha Robinson at srobinson@nbs-enb.ca

Every contribution counts! Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a difference! 

 

 

 

Let's get
In Touch

Complete the form to sign up for monthly Alumni communications. To register for NBS Connect: NBS’ digital alumni community, visit www.connect.nbs-enb.ca