We are Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS), where excellence, access and inclusion fuel our belief in sharing the transformative power of dance to change lives for the better. 

Professional Training Programs

Established in 1959 by Betty Oliphant and Celia Franca, Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS) is one of the world’s foremost training institutions for aspiring young dancers and teachers. NBS is sharing dance through the Olympic-calibre training and holistic preparation of young dancers for careers on the world stage, and by successfully training teachers, ballet masters and artistic directors who hold posts in schools and companies across Canada and around globe. 

Attracting students from across the country and around the world, NBS is the only ballet school in North America to provide elite dance training, academic instruction and residential care on the same campus. 

The School’s progressive curriculum, with its emphasis on the physical and emotional well-being of the student, has put NBS at the forefront of dance training internationally. Talent is the sole criterion for acceptance into NBS’ Professional Ballet Program. Learn more.

Part-time Ballet Programs

Through part-time ballet programs, NBS is sharing dance with more than 400 boys and girls aged 6-17 who audition and are accepted into programs that are based on NBS’ formal ballet syllabus. The adult ballet community also thrives on the same teaching theories and evolving practices as those of our professional training programs. The School's popular Adult Ballet Program offers classes in the evenings and on weekends to adults of all fitness levels and dance experience. Learn more.

Community Dance Programs

Within communities across Canada, NBS is sharing dance by empowering school teachers and community programmers in using dance to enhance kids’ fundamental movement skills, inspire creativity, and improve mental and emotional well-being. With in-person and video streaming delivery models, NBS engages seniors to be more active, socially connected and confident through the artistic expression of dance. Learn more. 

Whether you want to own the spotlight, or dance for the joy of it, you belong at NBS.