Moving the world. Differently.
Les Grands Ballets Canadiens was founded in Montréal in 1957 by Ludmilla Chiriaeff, who dreamed of creating Québec’s first professional ballet company to show everyone the beauty of dance. It has since evolved into a creation and production company whose mission is to infuse the spirit of classical ballet into all types of dance.
Today, the ballet company includes 45 Canadian and international dancers, and just as many musicians in Les Grands Ballets Orchestra. A cornerstone of the Canadian dance scene, Les Grands Ballets is located in the heart of Montréal’s Quartier des Spectacles, in Édifice Wilder – Espace Danse, which contains creative spaces, administrative offices and a costume studio.
Ivan Cavallari has served as artistic director of Les Grands Ballets since 2017. With Ivan at the helm, the company’s repertoire is ever-expanding to both showcase the great ballet classics and explore new dance styles, alongside leading and emerging contemporary creators.
Ludmilla Chiriaeff's contribution to the development of dance in Quebec and Canada is unparalleled. Her influence has been fundamental to the flourishing of dance artists from here, and particularly choreographers. Notably, she brought Montreal-born choreographer Fernand Nault back (from the American Ballet Theatre in New York) for the creation of several works, including the famous The Nutcracker, performed for the first time at Place des Arts in 1964.
In 1965, Fernand Nault joins madam Chiriaeff as co-artistic director and resident choreographer of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. The company proudly continues Ludmilla Chiriaeff's vision by maintaining a renowned ballet company in Montreal.
Les Grands Ballets is the resident company of Montréal’s Place des Arts and also performs on the most prestigious stages throughout Québec and the rest of Canada, including the Grand Théâtre de Québec and the Ottawa National Arts Centre. As a recognized cultural ambassador, the company is regularly invited by the world’s leading theatres.
Les Grands Ballets is also deeply committed to making dance as accessible as possible by offering its services to the community. At Studios GB, the professional dance community and the public at large can take classes, receive training and rent studio space. Meanwhile, the company’s National Center for Dance Therapy offers dance therapy and adapted dance classes for people with disabilities in order to harness the benefits of dance and promote personal well-being. Each year, the Nutcracker Fund introduces thousands of children to the power of dance.
The company aims to produce outstanding performances and cultural and social programs that spur discovery, evoke strong emotion, spark the imagination, inspire a passion for dance and make a lasting impact.
A unique initiative in the world, the NCDT's activities are at the forefront of research, training and services offered in adapted dance and dance therapy.
Everyone is invited to get moving with Les Grands Ballets! Studios GB offers dance, fitness and adapted dance classes for all in the company's new studios located in the heart of downtown Montreal.
Inaugurated in September 2017, the Édifice Wilder - Espace Danse is Les Grands Ballets' home, steps away from the Place des Arts, in the heart of Montreal's Quartier des spectacles.
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