The National Ballet of Canada is a performing dance company incorporated in 1951. It was founded by Sydney Mulqueen, Pearl Whitehead, and Aileen Woods, who brought Celia Franca from England to Toronto to establish the company. Its first performance took place at The Eaton Auditorium on November 12, 1951. The company is based at The Walter Carsen Centre in Toronto, and since 2011 its production team has operated from The Gretchen Ross Production Centre. Hope Muir serves as Artistic Director, with Charlotte Geeves as Executive Director and David Briskin as Music Director and Principal Conductor.
The company performs classical and contemporary ballet with a roster of over 70 dancers from around the world. Its repertoire includes traditional full-length classics, contemporary works, and new ballets. The company has its own orchestra, making it one of six companies in North America with a full orchestra accompanying productions. It presents performances in Canada, on tour, and through online programming. The company states its mission is to perform ballet masterworks for audiences in Canada and abroad while developing Canadian choreographers.