{"id":71560,"date":"2021-07-07T15:07:28","date_gmt":"2021-07-07T19:07:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=71560"},"modified":"2021-07-07T15:07:28","modified_gmt":"2021-07-07T19:07:28","slug":"scoop-national-ballet-canada-names-hope-muir-artistic-director-effective-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2021\/07\/07\/scoop-national-ballet-canada-names-hope-muir-artistic-director-effective-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"THE SCOOP | National Ballet Of Canada Names Hope Muir As Artistic Director Effective 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Hope
Hope Muir (Photo: Todd Rosenberg)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a two-year search that spanned the globe, the National Ballet of Canada<\/strong> announced the appointment of Toronto-born Hope Muir<\/strong> as Artistic Director. The position takes effect on January 1, 2022.<\/p>\n

Muir is succeeding Karen Kain<\/a><\/strong>, whose storied tenure as AD came to a close on June 30, 2021. Kain has been named the company\u2019s Artistic Director Emerita.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am thrilled to be the next Artistic Director of this wonderful company,\u201d said Ms. Muir<\/strong> in a media release. \u201cI am humbled to be following in the footsteps of Karen Kain and so grateful to her for the support and kindness she has shown me as I move into this role. The National Ballet of Canada is one of the world\u2019s leading companies with a roster of brilliant dancers and a rich and unique repertoire. I look forward to continuing the standard of excellence that has been built over many years and to cultivating an inclusive, supportive environment in which creativity and innovation can flourish.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not Muir\u2019s first contact with the NBC. In 2009, she worked with choreographer Crystal Pite<\/strong> in creating her work Emergence<\/em> for the company. In 2008, she premiered Christopher Bruce<\/strong>\u2019s Rooster<\/em> with the company. She also worked with NBC dancers as a guest teacher in 2011.<\/p>\n

NBC Executive Director Barry Hughson<\/strong> commented in a media release.<\/p>\n

\u201cThroughout her more than 30-year career as a dancer, teacher and director, Hope has always been motivated by a desire to move the artform of ballet forward, to cultivate new voices and to challenge dancers to expand their artistry. These values perfectly align with The National Ballet of Canada and I know the entire company will welcome her with open arms.\u201d<\/p>\n

As its new Artistic Director, Muir joins a distinguished list of key figures who have held the position previously, each of whom have left a distinctive mark on the dance world, including founder Celia Franca<\/strong> (1951 \u2013 1974, 1975 \u2013 1976), Erik Bruhn<\/strong> (1983 \u2013 1986), and James Kudelka<\/strong> (1996 \u2013 2005).<\/p>\n

Past Meets Present<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Muir spent her childhood in Toronto, and began her dance lessons in the city. Her first performance was in the National Ballet of Canada\u2019s The Nutcracker<\/em>. She went on to study tap and jazz dance in addition to ballet.<\/p>\n