Master Class with Mavis Staines
Mavis Staines
Artistic Director, Canada’s National Ballet School
Mavis Staines was born in Quebec's Eastern Townships and received her ballet training at Canada's National Ballet School (NBS). Upon graduation From NBS in 1972 Staines became a First Soloist with The National Ballet of Canada and then danced with The Dutch National Ballet until an injury cut short her performance career. She subsequently returned to Canada and enrolled in NBS' Teacher Training Program, joining NBS' Artistic Faculty in 1982. She was appointed Artistic Director in 1989.
Staines is now devoted to evolving ballet education by building on the best of traditional schooling while ensuring future professional dancers develop the self-awareness and creativity essential to leading dynamic and innovative careers and lives. She also is devoted to NBS' commitment to bring dance to all members of the community, from aspiring future professionals to those involved in the School's myriad community programs and beyond.
Thanks to these values and the tireless efforts of Staines in partnership with her colleagues, over the past two decades Canada's National Ballet School has strengthened its role as a world leader in the training of professional dancers and teachers. Dedicated to advancing the art of ballet, NBS is now renowned for educating dance professionals in a student-centred environment by weaving innovation and evolving practice with the finest teaching traditions. NBS graduates can be found as dancers, choreographers, artistic directors, teachers, and administrators in over 65 dance companies world wide, and in even more schools around the globe. NBS celebrated its 50th anniversary from September, 2009 – August, 2010; special events throughout the year spotlighted NBS' international role as a leader in education.
A highlight of the 50th anniversary celebrations included the Assemblée Internationale 09 (AI), a gathering of 13 of NBS' international partner schools. At the AI each school presented a work from their existing repertoire, and each school supplied a new work choreographed by a student. The student choreographies were performed by a blended cast of students from each of the schools in attendance. This networking and dance community connectivity were a continuation of themes discovered in the Not Just Any Body Global Conference, organized by Staines and colleagues on the occasion of NBS' 40th anniversary.
In addition to her accomplishments at NBS, Staines served as juror for the Prix de Lausanne, widely regarded as the world's premiere ballet competition, from 1993 to 1995, and headed the jury as President in 1998 and 1999. In February 2001, Staines accepted the volunteer position of Artistic President Designate for the Prix de Lausanne and in February 2002, assumed the full responsibilities of Artistic President which she held until February 2008.
In 1998 Staines was a workshop presenter at the IOTPD Conference in The Hague, Holland. In 1999 NBS along with partners in The Hague hosted the first satellite linked dance symposium, with Staines an impassioned advocate for the project. She has since presented regularly at International conferences, most recently in October 2009 in Helsinki.
Over the years Staines also has served in various capacities with a number of dance-related organizations, including: DANCE/USA, Philadelphia, 1994; Dance Advisory Committee, The Canada Council for the Arts; The Dance Community of Educators, Toronto; and Kala Nidhi Fine Arts of Canada, Toronto. In 1998 Staines won the Toronto Arts Award for the Performing Arts. In November 2006, she was named by the Women's Executive Network as one of Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100, and in 2008 she was presented an Honourary Doctorate in Humanities from Mount Saint Vincent University. In December, 2010, Mavis became a Member of the Order of Canada, in recognition of her commitment to the education and well-being of individuals in the field of dance.
Sunday, April 15, 2012 at Village Dance Studio at 1PM
- 12:00pm – Studio open for change of clothes/stretching/warm-up
- 1:00pm – Master Class Begins (90 minutes)
- 2:30pm – Break for complimentary refreshments
- 2:45pm – 30 Minute Question and Answer Period
Master Class Host Location:
Village Dance Studio
5964 South 700 East
Whitestown, IN 46075
(317) 769-2223
Intermediate and Advanced Students Only - Space is limited to 25 students and 10 observers. Class fees are non-refundable.
Class Fee: $30
Observer Fee: $10
IMPORTANT: After you make payment, you will be redirected back to our site to complete and submit the REQUIRED registration form for admittance to class. If you did not get redirected from Paypal please click here for the registration form.
This Class is Sold Out for Students and Observers
* All classes are subject to change or cancellation based on availability of Master Teachers due to unexpected scheduling conflicts, weather or flight problems or other unforeseen circumstance.
We offer a wait list in the event of a cancellation. If there is sufficient interest and advance notice, we may be able to add an additional master class. To be placed on a cancellation list, please email Eli Baker by clicking here. Please include your full name, contact information and the class date you are interested in.