Alumni | Canada's National Ballet School

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 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).

NBS Celebrates the Graduate Journeys of Recent Alumni

In the highly competitive world of ballet, there are many factors that contribute to a dancerʼs path from training in a studio to performing on the global stage.

At Canadaʼs National Ballet School, aspiring young dancers gain a strong foundation that readies them for future pathways and, upon graduation, it is now the norm for dancers to develop their training further at highly sought-after bridge programs. Competitive bridge programs such as our Company Life Program (CLP) prepare dancers for the rigours of dancing with a company while still within a supportive educational environment. Dancers develop as artists through new experiences and build the maturity, versatility and strength required for the life of a professional dancer.

The hard work, perseverance and dedication of a dancer can take them on a transformative trajectory and we are thrilled to celebrate a few of the appointments, opportunities and promotions of recent NBS alumni:

To view these recent graduates' journeys, click here.

We are incredibly proud of what our students achieve beyond the walls of NBS, on and off the stage, and it is a great privilege to have been a part of their journey.

NBS Remembers Sir Christopher Ondaatje (1933-2026)

More than 25 years ago, Sir Christopher Ondaatje established a prize in his name within Canada’s National Ballet School’s endowment, with an ambitious vision to create the largest ballet award in the country.
Over the years, recipients of the Ondaatje Ballet Prize have gone on to build remarkable careers within leading companies in Canada and around the world.

As we reflect on Sir Christopher Ondaatje’s generosity of spirit, some of our alumni shared heartfelt messages about how this award bolstered their careers in many ways.

Watch an alumni tribute to Sir Christopher Ondaatje here.

Photo by Andy Paradise, courtesy of The Independent

Alum Ryan Tomash Gives Artist Talk

We were thrilled to have Ryan Tomash, NBS Alum and Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet and Royal Danish Ballet, with us in summer 2026. In addition to teaching technique and repertoire classes during our Summer Training, Ryan sat down with our students for an artist talk.

Discussing his education at NBS and his professional dance career, Ryan shared how curiosity and patience have propelled his artistic journey and the special community dancers are part of.

Alumni Memories

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 nomination period for the 2026 award is now closed!

Visit the link below to learn more about this annual alumni distinction, its namesake, the award criteria, and to read past recipient bios.

Learn more

Career & Development Opportunties

Ideas Exchange for Ballet Teachers

Gather with dance educators to share expertise and strengthen community. Join NBS’ faculty for engaging conversations and workshops!

Learn more

Baycrest NBS Teacher Training

This training supports teachers in offering meaningful dance classes to Older Adults living with physical and/or cognitive challenges including those living with Dementia.

Learn more

Courses for Dance Teachers

Further invest in your practice and add to your existing teaching qualifications.

Learn more

NBS Alumni Merchandise Collection

Limited Sizes Still in Stock

Shop the limited edition NBS Alumni Merchandise Collection before it's all gone and display your NBS pride! Choose from a tote bag, baseball cap, crew neck sweater, and yoga jacket.

Each purchase includes a $5 donation to Canada’s National Ballet School, supporting alumni initiatives and highest priority needs at NBS.

Visit The Shoe Room boutique (406 Jarvis Street, Toronto), or purchase your swag online.

Your Legacy Continued

As graduates of Canada's National Ballet School, you've created a legacy by enriching our community 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.

Your time at NBS was one chapter in your story.

Through a legacy gift in your estate plans, you can help write the next chapter. Making a legacy gift is a decision that you can make today that will create opportunities far into the future, often without affecting your current financial priorities. A legacy gift to NBS provides lasting support for student training, community programs, and the continued strength of an institution that has shaped generations of artists and citizens.

Your story continues. Help make others' possible.

Learn more about the ways you can leave a lasting legacy and the many ways alumni can support NBS.

Learn more

NBS’ 65th Anniversary Alumni Reunion

Nearly 300 alumni and former staff joined us for an unforgettable 65^th Anniversary Reunion at Canada’s National Ballet School, November 8-9, 2024! The weekend was alive with laughter, shared memories, and a vision for NBS' future. Together, we celebrated achievements, reflected on our collective journey, and explored what lies ahead for the School.

If you couldn’t make it, don’t worry—photos and livestream recordings will be available before year-end, so stay tuned! Know any alumni who missed the invite? Encourage them to reconnect by updating their contact details at alumni@nbs-enb.ca.

Let’s keep the connection strong! Whether you have stories to share, would like to volunteer, or want to visit, we’d love to stay connected beyond this inspiring weekend. Please keep in touch.