IN THIS ISSUE International Dance Day | NBS on Twitter! | Alumni Reunion Weekend | Alumni Blog Spring Showcase: Tickets On-Sale Now! | Doors Open at NBS | Billy Elliot in Chicago The Shoe Room on Facebook & Twitter | Letter from Student Council Physio Tips: Avoid Computer Strain | Become a Benefactor The Ballet Class is Available Now!

INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY – NBS DANCE MOB Today, April 29, is International Dance Day, which is marked around the world by celebrations of dance. There were several events happening throughout Toronto, including NBS' dance mob at the Eaton Centre! Over 200 of NBS' community members – including Adult Ballet and Associates Program participants – gathered at 12:30 at the Eaton Centre today. We performed a routine choreographed by NBS grad Matjash Mrozewski, set to a Feist song. The routine was amazing, the dancers all had fun and for a brief moment, the Eaton Centre was focused on the joy and fun of dance!

Photographer: Arlen Bartsch

A video of our performance will soon be up on the website. Be sure to check it out and forward it to all of your friends! Back to Top

NBS ON TWITTER! To coincide with our International Dance Day celebration, we've launched a Twitter account! We'll be using it to keep you up-to-date on interesting dancerelated items. Did you know scientists have determined babies "dance", or respond to music, at 3 months of age? Find out about this and other interesting and exciting developments in the world of dance through following us on Twitter! Find us at www.twitter.com/sharing_dance.

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ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND – A HUGE SUCCESS! As part of NBS' on-going 50th anniversary celebrations, NBS' Alumni Reunion Weekend was held from April 23-26. With grads working or dancing in over 65 companies worldwide, not to mention alumni successful in other fields, the weekend was a chance for everyone to mix, mingle and reminisce. For some alumni, this weekend was their first visit to the renovated facilities. The weekend featured panel discussions, a film festival, a cocktail reception, movement workshops and more. Alumni were guided throughout the Celia Franca Centre, Margaret McCain Academic Building and Maison Staines House Residence by current NBS students. For photos and more information, visit our Alumni Reunion Weekend webpage. Back to Top

ALUMNI BLOG IS LIVE For all those alumni who reconnected at our reunion, the NBS Alumni Blog is a great way to stay in touch with friends new and old! Any alumni who wants to be an author is welcome to post on the blog, it’s quick, easy and fun. Check out the Alumni Blog to read current entries, or learn about adding yours! Back to Top

SPRING SHOWCASE: TICKETS ON SALE NOW We're excited to announce the lineup of our 50th anniversary Spring Showcase! From May 27 – 29, with four shows only, NBS students will perform works that span the gamut from classical to contemporary. The repertoire includes excerpts from Paquita (Petipa) and John Neumeier's Yondering as well as excerpts from Sabrina Matthews' Sequentia and Matjash Mrozewski's 30-Minute Beauty Makeover, both works seen at NBS' 2009 Spring Showcase. Also on the program is Peggy Baker's 5 Views of the Temple Garden.

Photographer: Cylla von Tiedemann

In addition to these performances, current NBS students will share the stage with some of our illustrious alumni, who will return from their careers with international ballet companies to perform on stage at the Betty Oliphant Theatre one more time. Details regarding alumni and the works they will dance will be announced shortly. Tickets are on sale now at the Betty Oliphant Theatre Box Office, 416.964.5148. This highly anticipated event always sells out, so please book early! Visit our website for more details and ticket information. Back to Top

NBS IS PARTICIPATING IN DOORS OPEN This year's theme for Doors Open Toronto is Architecture in Toronto and coincides with the publication of A Guidebook to Contemporary Architecture in Toronto.

Photographer: Tom Arban

The guidebook features over 60 buildings, landscapes and urban realms that have transformed the city in the past two decades and it's no surprise that Canada's National Ballet School is one of the buildings mentioned.

The School will be open on Saturday May 29, 10:00am – 5:00pm, with guided tours offered throughout the Celia Franca Centre. Back to Top

BILLY ELLIOT IN CHICAGO CESAR CORRALES DEBUTS & MAKES AN APPEARANCE ON OPRAH! On Sunday, April 11, the Chicago production of Billy Elliot: the Musical, opened and performing the role of Billy was none other than NBS' own Cesar Corrales! Cesar has won rave reviews for his performance, with the Chicago Theatre Review Examiner stating, "Opening night, Cesar Corrales, 13, turned in a phenomenal performance as Billy, displaying staggering technique, beautiful lines and the artistry of a dance well beyond his years."

Giuseppe Bausilio, Cesar Corrales and Tommy Batchelor at "Cloud Gate" in Chicago's Millennium Park. Photographer: Amy Boyle

Adding to the excitement of Cesar's debut was his appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show! On Friday, April 16, Cesar and his three fellow Billy actors, along with the musical's composer, Elton John, were guests on The Oprah Winfrey Show! Back to Top

THE SHOE ROOM ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER NBS' retail store, The Shoe Room, is the latest member of the NBS family to join Facebook. Become a Fan of their page, and learn about special discounts and offers on the wide range of merchandise available both in-store and online, through www.theshoeroom.ca. You can also follow The Shoe Room on Twitter at www.twitter.com/The_Shoe_Room. This is a great way to stay up to date on their many pointe shoe fitting tours that take them from coast to coast in Canada! Back to Top

LETTER FROM STUDENT COUNCIL Hello! My name is Sara Coffield and I am a grade 12 student at Canada's National Ballet School. It's a very busy time of year as we are rehearsing for the 2010 Spring Showcase. The program this year includes excerpts from Paquita, excerpts from Matt Mrozewski's 30-Minute Beauty Makeover and Sabrina Matthew's Sequentia, a John Neumier Yondering excerpt, and Peggy Baker's 5 Views of the Temple Garden. To celebrate the 50th anniversary, the program will also include a section featuring NBS alumni dancers who are now in their professional careers. Rehearsals for the show occur daily after our ballet classes and on the weekends. The rehearsals can be quite intense with learning the choreography and spacing although they are always a valuable learning experience for what it will be like to rehearse for shows in a company. It is also an exciting opportunity to apply all of the year's training and then continue to learn and work on the specific artistry of the roles we are performing. The Spring Showcase is definitely a highlight of the year and I hope you will be able to attend!

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PHYSIO TIPS: AVOID COMPUTER STRAIN NBS has a physiotherapy department which assists students with the best ways to care for their body, stay strong and prevent injury. Our department boasts two physiotherapists, Jen Denys and Cynthia Roberts. Learn how to avoid computer strain in the first of an ongoing series of articles with tips and suggestions from our physios on how to take best care of your body. Photographer: Patricia Morrison

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BECOME AN NBS BENEFACTOR Benefactors are a group of devoted ballet enthusiasts who form an integral part of the family at Canada's National Ballet School. Generously extending their time, talents and resources, Benefactors enjoy membership in a special community of like-minded individuals. In appreciation of their significant support, NBS offers Benefactors invitations to events and experiences specially designed to deepen one's appreciation and understanding of the art of ballet. Read more...

Photographer: Aimee Hawkins

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THE BALLET CLASS IS AVAILABLE NOW! Now available through NBS' The Shoe Room is The Ballet Class: A History of Canada's National Ballet School 1959 – 2009. Anyone interested in Canada's dance history will find Fisher-Stitt's story a compelling and fulsome account of professional ballet training in Canada.

Encompassing first-hand interviews with former students, academic and artistic staff, The Ballet Class should be read by anyone interested in Canadian history, dance, arts training education and the role models exemplified by its founding women: Betty Oliphant and Celia Franca. 6 x 9" Trade paperback 296pp, 30 B/W photos $34.95 Purchase online

Cover photo by Cylla von Tiedemann

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The future and sustainability of Canada's National Ballet School is reliant on the generosity of our many dedicated supporters. Although we receive funding from the federal, provincial, and municipal levels of government, the School is increasingly reliant on self-generated revenue to meet its operating needs. Donations from individuals, corporations and foundations account for a significant portion of the School's revenue, and we are proud to have cultivated a diverse range of donors who share the School's commitment to helping young people achieve their full creative potential. Thank you!