Discover the Elegance of Adult Ballet at NBS

Nicole Prefontaine was born and raised in Vancouver, BC. She trained in various styles of ballet, contemporary and character dancing since the age of 9. At age 14, she received a scholarship to train at the San Francisco Ballet School in the USA, under the direction of Patrick Armand. During those years, she performed George Balanchine’s Serenade, as well as company productions of Nutcracker and Coppelia.

Following graduation in San Francisco, she joined a company in Montréal, touring across Quebec as a professional dancer. Nicole graduated with distinction from Canada’s National Ballet School’s Teacher Training (Dip) Program and was awarded the Betty Oliphant Award. She holds her Registered Teaching Status with the Royal Academy of Dance and completed additional professional development courses in Dance for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) with the Mark Morris Dance Company, and Dance for Dementia with NBS and Baycrest Hospital.

Register for the Intro to Ballet master class with Nicole here.

Robert McCollum, (aka Ballet Bob) is approaching his 30th year of teaching at NBS. Over this time, he has been featured in magazines and newspapers such as Dance Teacher, Dance Current, Zoomer, and recently in The Globe and Mail. 

This class is now full.

Born in Newfoundland and Labrador, Phillip started his ballet training at Quinte Ballet School of Canada and later completed his training with Murray and Nancy Kilgour at the Alberta Ballet School. As a dancer, Phillip has performed with companies such as Alberta Ballet, Ballet Jorgen Canada, Les Grands Ballet Canadiens and Opera Atelier.

In 2018, he joined Canada's National Ballet School's Teacher Training Program for Former Professionals. Two years later he graduated with distinction, was the recipient of the Betty Oliphant Award and joined the artistic staff at NBS. As a teacher, Phillip hopes to foster a positive learning environment where his students can explore their musicality, strengthen their technical ability and develop their artistry.

Register for the Beginner master class with Phillip. 

Ian is a double graduate of NBS: from both the Professional Ballet Program, as well as the Teacher Training Program for Former Professional Dancers, both with distinction. He was also the recipient of the distinguished Betty Oliphant Award, which is awarded to the most promising teacher upon graduation.
 
As a professional dancer, Ian has danced with The National Ballet of Canada and Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, working with choreographers such as James Kudelka, John Neumeier, Jiří Kylián, and Jean-Christophe Maillot. He also appeared in the feature film of Les Misérables, as Hans in the Olivier Award nominated revival of Cabaret in London’s West End, and as Assistant Dance Captain/Swing in the UK/European tour of Cats.
 
As a teacher, Ian has been a faculty member of Performers College (London), as well as the School of Ballet Theatre UK. He has also been a guest teacher at The London Studio Centre, The Chantry School of Contemporary and Balletic Arts, and at the famed Danceworks and Pineapple Studios in London, England.
 
Ian has been a member of the Artistic Faculty at NBS since 2018. 

Instagram: @ianparsonsballet

Register for the Elementary master class with Ian.

Upon graduation from NBS’ Professional Ballet Program, Rebekah Rimsay joined The National Ballet of Canada for a thirty-three-year professional career. As a First Soloist, she performed leading roles in The Nutcracker, La Sylphide, La Fille Mal Gardee and Serenade, as well as soloist roles in contemporary works by William Forsythe, John Alleyne, Paul Taylor, and Jiří Kylián.

Rebekah went on to perform as a Principal Character Artist in roles such as Carabosse in The Sleeping Beauty and The Stepmother in Cinderella. At NBOC, Rebekah was also Guest Rehearsal Director and Stager for ballet productions such as The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker and Cinderella. Rebekah joined NBS as a guest faculty member and rehearsal director in 2023 and has recently completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Register for the Intermediate/Advanced master class with Rebekah.

Suitable for students who have taken Beginner I – III or at least 1 year of previous training. Classes include conditioning, ballet and ballet composition/repertoire. 

This class is full. You can join the wait list here.

Suitable for students who have taken Elementary I&II or at least 3 years of previous training. Classes include conditioning, ballet and ballet composition/repertoire.

Register for the Elementary Level of the Adult Ballet Summer Intensive here.

Suitable for students who have taken Intermediate I and II or at least 5 years of previous training. Classes include conditioning, ballet and ballet composition/repertoire.

Register for the Intermediate Level of the Adult Ballet Summer Intensive here.