Hope Muir went out to enjoy a dance performance last night — with a series of surprise announcements up her proverbial sleeve.
After the final performance of Swan Lake on June 26, Muir, the Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada took both the audience and dancer Genevieve Penn Nabity by surprise when she announced Nabity’s promotion from Second Soloist to Principal Dancer onstage.
“Genevieve gave one of the most assured debuts in the lead role of Odette/Odile I have ever seen. She is a truly exceptional young dancer and it is my absolute pleasure to promote her to Principal Dancer,” said Muir.
After the performance wrapped up, the cast and others headed to the lobby of the Four Seasons Centre for the Season Closing Party. There, Muir announced two more promotions: Christopher Gerty to First Soloist and Selene Guerrero-Trujillo and Tirion Law to Second Soloist.
“Christopher has danced many leading roles with the company including sensitively partnering Genevieve in Swan Lake in a nuanced portrayal of Siegfried,” said Muir. “In her 15 years with the company, Selene has excelled in soloist roles across the full range of our repertoire. She is a leader in the studio, setting an example for young dancers in the Corps de Ballet with both her exemplary work ethic and her artistry. With her precise technique and vibrant stage presence, Tirion shines in each new role she takes on, including the leading role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. It is with great excitement that I can promote these four exceptional artists for my inaugural 2022/23 season. My sincere congratulations to them all. I look forward to their continued growth and development in their new ranks.”
The 2022/23 Promotions
Genevieve Penn Nabity
- Born in Casco, Michigan and trained at Main Stage Center for the Arts in Armada, Michigan and Canada’s National Ballet School;
- Joined The National Ballet of Canada in 2018 as an RBC Apprentice
- Promoted to Second Soloist in 2021
- Roles such as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker, Principal Fairy, Third Fairy and Diamond Lady in The Sleeping Beauty as well as soloist roles in Crystal Pite’s Angels’ Atlas and Christopher Wheeldon’s After the Rain.
Christopher Gerty
- Born in Watford, England and trained at Newcastle Dance Academy in Australia, New Zealand School of Dance and San Francisco Ballet School;
- Joined The National Ballet of Canada as an RBC Apprentice in 2014;
- Promoted to Second Soloist in 2018;
- Roles include Siegfried in Swan Lake, Lewis Carroll/The White Rabbit in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Peter/The Nutcracker in The Nutcracker, A Man in The Four Seasons, Stiva in Anna Karenina and Diamond Man in The Sleeping Beauty;
- Awarded the Patron Award of Merit in 2018.
Selene Guerrero-Trujillo
- Born in Mexico City, Mexico and trained at The National Ballet School of Mexico and Canada’s National Ballet School;
- Joined The National Ballet of Canada’s Corps de Ballet in 2007;
- Recently performed in The Spanish Dance in Swan Lake, and has made her mark in featured roles such as Bee in The Nutcracker, Second Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty, Blossom in Cinderella, and Peasant in Giselle.
Tirion Law
- Born in Hong Kong and trained at The New Zealand School of Dance;
- Danced with Hong Kong Ballet before joining The National Ballet of Canada’s Corps de Ballet in 2018;
- Recently made her debut as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, and performed Celia and The Neapolitan Dance in Swan Lake.
2021/22 Award Winners
The David Tory Award for 2021/22 has been given to Trygve Cumpston and Selene Guerrero-Trujillo. Both dancers were cited for their professionalism and dedication to the company. Each will receive $5,000.
The Patron Award of Merit, given by the Patrons’ Council Committee of The National Ballet of Canada, has been awarded to Tirion Law and Teagan Richman-Taylor. Given to one female and one male Corps de Ballet member at the end of each season, it recognizes their progress with a cash award of $1,500. Their names will also be inscribed on an award that is on display at The Walter Carsen Centre.
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