Mavis Staines: Ballet revolutionary, educator, leader and now lifetime achivement award winner
'Bringing dance to the people' has been Staines's goal during her 30 years at Canada's National Ballet School
A visionary dance educator, leader and the artistic director of Canada's National Ballet School, Mavis Staines's influence in the field of dance has made her a more than deserving recipient of the Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award at this year's Governor General's Performing Arts Awards.
The GGPAAs are Canada's highest honour in the performing arts and this year's award ceremony is taking place on April 26, followed by the red carpet gala on April 27.
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As the artistic director for Canada's National Ballet School since 1989, Staines has revolutionized the way classical ballet is taught in Canada. Her approach combined traditional technique with increased focus on health and wellness, and empowered students to hone their creative voice at an early age.
With the goal of "bringing dance to the people," Staines's leadership outreach initiatives, such as Sharing Dance, have allowed children, adults, seniors and those living with Parkinson's disease to connect with ballet as well. Her legacy: keeping people moving, whether they're part of the "dance world" or not.
Learn more about this year's Governor General Performing Arts Awards here.