Mavis Staines – March 2026
Visionary Leader in Ballet Education.
Mavis Staines is a Canadian ballet dancer, teacher and visionary leader who has shaped the landscape of classical dance both in Canada and internationally. Born in Quebec, she trained at Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS) and went on to perform as a first soloist with the National Ballet of Canada and the Dutch National Ballet before an injury brought her performance career to an early close. Staines returned to NBS to pursue teacher training and soon joined its artistic faculty. In 1989 she became Artistic Director of Canadas National Ballet School — a role she held for 35 years until her retirement in 2024. Under her leadership, the institution became a global leader in ballet education by championing holistic dancer development, innovative pedagogy, community engagement and inclusivity. She introduced initiatives such as Assemblée Internationale, which brings together students and teachers from around the world to collaborate and share knowledge. A long-standing collaboration connects the Pierino Ambrosoli Foundation and Canadas National Ballet School, united by a shared commitment to excellence in dance education and artistic development.
Throughout her career, Staines has received numerous honours, including being named a Member of the Order of Canada, receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. Her influence extends beyond the studio, as she continues to advocate for equity and accessibility in the art of dance as a global ambassador for NBS.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mavis_Staines
https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/mavis-staines
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