Quinte Ballet School of Canada announces that Catherine (Cathy) Taylor will become the Artistic Director Emerita. Following 13 years at the helm as Artistic Director, Ms. Taylor will step aside from this position on June 30, 2025. In this new role, she will be available for teaching and coaching of the students as well as sharing any advice or support she can offer.

“It is a great benefit to the school that Cathy will assume this role”, added Christina Taylor, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Everyone associated with the school, including the Board of Directors, the staff and many past and present students join me in extending our heartfelt gratitude for her tremendous contribution to QBSC and to dance in Canada.”

Ms. Taylor’s tenure as Artistic Director is surpassed only by Founding Artistic Director Brian Scott.  Along with her professionalism and vast knowledge of dance, she brought a clear artistic vision of teaching, curriculum and management of the School.   She has been a constant mentor to the students and to the artistic staff.  She will also be remembered for producing many inspiring performances over the years.

Ms. Taylor was appointed as QBSC’s Artistic Director in June of 2012.  Born in Toronto, she was trained at the National Ballet School of Canada  and danced with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) performing in ballets such as Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, Nutcracker and many more.   For over 20 years she was Assistant to the Artistic Director of the RWB where she worked with international choreographers such as Van Manen, Van Dantzig, Sir Peter Wright, Jiri Kylian and works by Balanchine.   Along with teaching company class, she was responsible for staging much of the Company’s repetoire at home and on tour around the world.

She moved with her family to Ottawa in 2000 and she became a full time teacher with The School of Dance as well as being guest teacher and rehearsal director with Ballet Jorgen, Ballet British Columbia and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.  She also was a participant in Canada Council, Manitoba Arts and Governor General’s Awards committees.

Since she has been in Belleville, she received the Quinte Arts Council Arts Recognition Award in 2019 and received the Platinum Queen’s Jubilee Pin.

Ms. Taylor’s last Dance of Spring performance featuring both professional students (PTP) and recreational students (ADP – Assemble Dance Program) will take place at Centennial Secondary School on June 7, 2025 at 2:30 p.m.   Tickets will soon be available on Eventbrite.

Following the performance, a special post-performance celebration of Ms. Taylor’s extraordinary contribution to QBSC and the arts community will be held at 6:00 p.m. at San Souci Restaurant in Belleville.   Tickets are now available on Eventbrite.

 

The Board will  announce the new Artistic Director who will lead Quinte Ballet School of Canada commencing July 1, 2025 in due course.