Alumni

Alumni Postings

Ronald Alexander (Dancer 1973-1976) is currently the Principal of the Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory in Torrington, CT. He received his MFA degree from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, has worked for the Dance Theatre of Harlem School as Director of School Administration, the Ailey School, as a ballet teacher and choreographer, and the NYC public schools as an arts supervisor and dance teacher. He resides in both NYC and Torrington, CT with his cat, Kevyne. E-mail address: ralexander@nutmegconservatory.org.

Sebastian Angermaier (Dancer 1995-1996) continues to dance Leipziger Ballett and was promoted to soloist during the 2002/2003 season. Email address: sebi@sebastianangermaier.de.

Stephana Arnold (Dancer 1992-1995) went on to dance for seven years with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal as First Soloist, and later as leading dancer with Ballet BC. She now is a sought after guest teacher, guest dancer, actress and Certified Personal Trainer in the Vancouver area.

Walter Babiak (Conductor 1960-1966) went on to work with Festival Ballet, Vienna State Opera Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet as Music Director. His work included composing, arranging, adjudicating and prose writing. He continues to work within the music community. Email address: walter.babiak@sympatico.ca.

David Bourque (Musician 1977-1983) left the National Ballet Orchestra to become a member of the clarinet section of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, a position he still holds today. Email address: dave@torontogolf.com.

Suzanne Brown (Dancer 1980-1984) married James Fitzpatrick, a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Together they own and run HEALING ARTS CENTRE at 72 Scollard Street in Yorkville, Toronto. Suzanne runs the Iyengar Hatha Yoga school and teaches full time - she is Internationally Certified.

Assis Carreiro (Staff 1983-1993) is now the director of DanceEast, the National Dance Agency for the East of England and has been in the UK for 10 years. DanceEast recently hosted Rural Retreats: Ballet into the 21st century, which saw the largest ever gathering of ballet directors from around the globe. Email address: assis@danceeast.co.uk

Cathy (Hierlihy) Carter (Staff 1989-1991) married former National Ballet dancer and scheduling coordinator Todd Carter in 1993 and together they have two children, ages 9 and 5.

Todd Carter (Dancer 1977-1987, Staff 1988-1991) currently works as a Software Designer/Developer with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. He married National Ballet development coordinator Cathy Hierlihy in 1993 and together they have two children, ages 9 and 5. Email address: todd.carter@sympatico.ca

Ainslie Cyopik (Dancer 1982-1983) moved to Vancouver and danced with Ballet British Columbia for 10 years (1986-1996). She then taught Iynegar yoga for several years and worked in the film industry. After many years of creating her own dancewear, she now has a successful dancewear clothing company, AinslieWear. Website: www.ainsliewear.com.

Kristen Dennis (Dancer 1994-1998) went on to dance with Alberta Ballet and Ballet BC, then transitioned to teaching dance in 2003. She and husband Craig Glen welcomed son, Mason Elliott Glen into the world in September 2005. Currently Kristen is the Artistic Director of RNB Dance & Theatre Arts in North Vancouver BC.

Michael Downing (Dancer 1988-1994) is currently living in Los Angeles, California and working as director/filmmaker. He attended the American Film Institute on scholarship and has since been nominated for a Genie Award for Best Live Action Film. Email address: michaeljdowning@hotmail.com.

Sandy Evan-Jones (Staff 1974-1981) is a United Church of Canada minister for three rural congregations north of Goderich and is working toward a PhD in New Testament Studies. Email address: sandyes@hurontel.on.ca.

Dewi Fairclough (Dancer 1985-1987) is presently a Sales Representative with Bosley Real Estate after being Cabin Crew Manager with British Mediterranean Airways. After performing with the National Ballet he was in Cats at Massey Hall and the original production of Phantom of the Opera, and also assisted choreographer Gillian Lynne on the Pickwick National Tour in the UK.

Linda Fletcher (Dancer 1965-1972) currently lives in Northeast Ohio. She works as the Resource Development Manager for the Center for Families and Children and as a Wine Consultant for West Point Market. Email address: lfletcher3@roadrunner.com.

Lois Gochnauer (Dancer 1964-1966) received her Juris Doctor and Master in International and Comparative Law. A member of the New York Bar, she practiced law in Washington, DC before joining the U.S. Foreign Service. She served as a diplomat in the Dominican Republic, Hong Kong and Toronto. She served as Senior Advisor on International Women’s Issues for the U.S. State Department and the Clinton White House. She is a writer and public speaker on women’s issues, particularly violence against women. She retired from the Foreign Service in 2003 and continues to write and lecture, and has returned to performing in the theatre. She divides her time between New York and Florida.

Uko Gorter (Dancer 1987-1989) married Susan Janke in Toronto in 1988. They now live in Kirkland, WA (near Seattle). He is currently a free-lance illustrator and still performs character roles for the Pacific Northwest Ballet. He is also a board member of the American Cetacean Society. Susan is an interior decorator and teaches at PNB. Look them up when you're in the Seattle area. Email address: uko@ukogorter.com. Website: www.ukogorter.com.

Sarah Green (Dancer 1986-1995) received her degree from Columbia University after leaving the National Ballet. She married Mark Motyl, a bond salesman, and together have two sons and daughter. E-mail address: ssgreen@optonline.net.

Margaret Illmann (Dancer 1989-1996) is now studying physiotherapy in West Australia and misses her 7 years with the National Ballet. Hello to my friends in Canada! Email address: m.illmann@web.de.

Christopher Kiss (Dancer 1991-1997) continued to teach company class and perform as Guest Artist until 2004. Also a teacher at the National Ballet School, it was time to explore the world as an entertainer on the world's best Cruise Line. He is now an award-winning Multimedia Designer & web professional, and currently lives and works in Hollywood as 'Art & Concept Director' for a very successful internet company.

Tiffany Knight (Dancer 1995-2003) has started her own floral design business, Frolic, specializing in unique arrangements and exotic bouquets. She can also be seen in various commercials worldwide and both American and Canadian television series. Email address: tiffany@frolicfloraldesign.com.

Jennifer Kropac (Dancer 1991-1998) went on to dance with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (1999-2003). After retiring from the stage she received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Waterloo. Currently she is pursuing a Master's in Child Study and Education from the University of Toronto. Jennifer is married to former National Ballet dancer Kevin Law. Email address: jenniferkropac@gmail.com.

Kevin Law (Dancer 1995-2001) received his degree in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo in 2006. He is currently an Institutional Equity Trader in Toronto. Kevin is married to former National Ballet dancer Jennifer Kropac. Email address: traderoute@gmail.com.

Kenneth Lipitz (Dancer 1971-1973) is currently a full-time Associate Professor of Dance at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, part of the Five College Dance Department which includes Smith, Mt Holyoke, Hampshire and Amherst Colleges. He, and his wife (of 30 years), Shelley Ziebel, own and direct the New England Dance Conservatory, a private school of dance near Springfield, MA. Their two children, Isadora (21), a dance major at the University, and Hayden (14) an aspiring NBA star, live in the small New England town of East Longmeadow, MA. Email address: ks4553@aol.com.

Caitlan Maggs (Dancer 1976-1980) went on to perform with Desrosiers Dance Theatre from 1982 to 1988. From 1989 to 1998 she taught at l’Ecole Supérieure de Danse du Québec in Montréal. In 1999 she became Artistic Coach at Cirque du Soleil followed by Head of Artistic Training in 2005. She lives in Montreal with her husband and 3 sons and would love to hear from you. Email address: caitlan.maggs@cirquedusoleil.com.

Anne Steele Moses (Dancer 1963-1967) went on to dance in various TV and stage shows, then worked in the TV industry for many years. Married National Ballet dancer (now actor) Sam Moses, has two sons and three beautiful grandchildren & lives in Toronto. Email address: samanne68@yahoo.ca

Thomas Nicholson (Dancer 1973-1977) married Lisa Slagle of the Joffrey Ballet in 1993, and are the owners of Ballet Academy of Texas and Directors of Ballet Ensemble of Texas in Coppell, a Dallas area suburb. Email address: dudford@verizon.net.

Sylvia Palmer (Dancer 1960-1967) obtained her M.F.A. degree and is now director of Southern California Youth Ballet and Black Mountain Dance Centre in San Diego, CA. She teaches for the California State Summer School of the Arts during the summers, and teaches Benesh Notation in seminars for the RAD and Cecchetti organizations. Email address: sylvpalmer@aol.com.

Greg Patterson (Staff 1980-1990) is now Director of Development for WaterTower Theatre in Texas. He has worked for American Ballet Theater, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Los Angeles Opera and Atlanta Opera as Director of Marketing and/or Development. He and his partner Gordon live on a ranch in Terrell, Texas and raise championship Dressage and Hunter Jumpers. Email address: gpatterson@watertowertheatre.org

David Peden (Dancer 1987-1990) left the National Ballet and danced with Pacific Northwest Ballet and English National Ballet. He subsequently received a diploma in teaching at The Royal Academy of Dance. He has been the Ballet master for Singapore Dance Theatre, Ankara State Ballet, Turkey and Freelance International Teaching, and is currently a teacher at The Royal Ballet Upper School, Covent Garden, London. Email address: davidp@royalballetschool.co.uk

Cathy Penman (Dancer 1956-1964) works part time at Seroyal as a Sales Trainer and Coach. She also volunteers at a Hospice caring for terminally ill patients in the last month of their life. She has taken up piano again and enjoys feeling like she is performing. She lives in King City with Bill, her husband of 39 years, and has 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren. She also has 3 dogs - 2 goldens and 1 chocolate lab.

Nadia Potts (Gomez) (Dancer 1966-1986) has been a professor and director of the Dance Programme at Ryerson University since 1989. She has just written a book titled “Betty Oliphant: The Artistry of Teaching”. Check Dance Collection Danse’s website at www.dcd.ca for further information. Email address: npotts@ryerson.ca.

Craig Randolph (Dancer 1978-1984) continued dancing with English National Ballet until 1994, after which he worked for the ballet staff of both the ENB School and company until 2002. That year saw a radical change when he took up residence at a Buddhist monastery in northern California, where he ordained as a bhikkhu (monk) in the forest-dwelling tradition of Thailand. His ordained name is Ahimsako Bhikkhu. He currently lives at a monastery in rural England. Email address: ahimsako@gmail.com.

Hamish Robertson (Staff 1975-1978) left the ballet to become the Music Officer Finance of the Canada Council. Since then he has managed two symphonies (The Hamilton Philharmonic and Niagara), was the National Fundraising Director of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and managed a number of short term consulting gigs. He is married for the second time to Bev and lives in Brantford, Ontario. Email address: hamish_robertson@hotmail.com.

Clinton Rothwell (Dancer 1968-1981) is the Artistic Director of the Huntsville Ballet Company in Huntsville, Alabama. Clinton’s wife Carrie assists him as Ballet Mistress to the company. Email address: crothwell256@comcast.net.

Gillian Saunders (Dancer 1985-1990) left to pursue a career in musical theatre and is currently the Head of Dance at Sheridan College in the Music-Theatre Performance Programme. She recently received her M.A. in Dance from York University. Email address: gillmike@sympatico.ca

Richard "Dick" Sias (Dancer 1961-1963) has been senior ballet teacher and coordinator of the ballet division in the Dance Department at Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida for the past 25 years. In 2004 Richard will take early retirement and return to Toronto to live. Email address: rsias@mailer.fsu.edu.

Stephanie Slater (Dancer 1994-1997) went on to dance with La La La Human Steps in Montreal and toured worldwide. She currently lives in Toronto and is a registered Yoga teacher and certified Pilates instructor. Email address: stephslater_yogapilates@yahoo.ca Website: www.stephanieslater.ca.

Deborah Todd (Thompson) (Dancer 1978-1988) is the Executive Director of the Ontario Equestrian Federation and has an incredible husband and five beautiful children. Email address: execdir@horse.on.ca.

Claire Vince (Dancer 1989-1992) returned to Sydney, Australia. She completed a communications degree and she has since worked as Senior Publicist and Publicity Manager for Opera Australia and Sydney Festival. She is currently the Senior Publicist at the Sydney Opera House. Email address: cvince@sydneyoperahouse.com.

Elizabeth Volpé Bligh (Musician 1976-1982) has been the Principal Harpist with the Vancouver Symphony since 1982, and harp sessional instructor at the University of British Columbia since 1985. She has been invited to adjudicate at the Brandon Harp Festival in February, 2010, and to perform and speak at the American Harp Society Conference in Tacoma, WA in July, 2010. In November, 2010, she will be on the harp jury for the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal Standard Life Competition. Website: www.elizabethvolpebligh.com; www.worldharpcongress2011.com.

Paul Winston, MD BSc FRCPC (Dancer 1989-1995) has completed his long road to becoming a physician of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He now practices in Victoria BC, specializing in neurorehabilitation, electrophysiology and sports/arts medicine. He keeps in shape trying to keep up with Kieran, aged 2. Email address: paul.winston@utoronto.ca.

P. Anne Winter, formerly Penelope "Penny" Winter (Dancer 1956-1961) left the National Ballet and performed with London's Festival Ballet for two years before retiring from Dance. She currently lives in Toronto and works as a Registered Massage Therapist and Psychotherapist. Email address: pannewinter@gmail.com.

Jane Wooding (Dancer 1972-1978) lives in the Toronto area with husband Ronald Shaffer. She has taught both dancers and teachers at Canada’s National Ballet School, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, York University, George Brown College, and Quinte Ballet School. Jane is presently Guest Teaching and is an Examiner for the Cecchetti Society of Canada. Email address: jwooding123@hotmail.com.

Alumni Ticket Offer

For the 2009|10 season, National Ballet Alumni are able to purchase discounted tickets for National Ballet performances using their Alumni I.D. Card.

Cost

50% off the regular price, as of 12 pm the day before the performance.

Seats

Any available seat as of 12 pm the day before the performance, excluding the Grand Ring and section 5.2 in Ring 5.

Order in person

Visit The National Ballet of Canada Box Office at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen Street West, southeast corner of Queen and University, Toronto after 12 pm the day before a performance.

Order by phone

Call 416 (1 866) 345 9595 after 12 pm the day before the performance. Let the Audience and Donor Service Representative know you are a National Ballet Alumnus. Give them the account number on your Alumni I.D. card and quote code 6225.

Pick up your tickets at The National Ballet of Canada Box Office at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen Street West, southeast corner of Queen and University, Toronto.

Conditions

1. Only applicable as of 12 pm the day before the performance.
2. For Toronto main season performances only. Excludes The Nutcracker and Gala Performance.
3. Maximum 2 tickets per production.
4. Alumni I.D. card required when purchasing or picking up tickets. If you do not have an Alumni I.D. card please call 416 345 9686 x6077 or email alumni@national.ballet.ca.
5. Phone orders subject to an $8.00 service charge per ticket.
6. For use by National Ballet Alumni only - not transferable.

Alumni Newsletter

Read the most recent Alumni Newsletter PDF