Ballet

Rhoda Clayton

Suzanne Perry

Brenda Key

Gwendolyn Darling

Patricia Francey

Iris Saxton

Louise Saxton

Patricia Frost

Margaret Cancilla

? Strickland?

Margaret Bridges

Patricia Polny

Diana Brown and Pat Smith at the Bluestone

Mary McMillan's ballet class 1950
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Mary McMillan's ballet class at St Mark's Parish Hall c1952
Photo from Pat (Francey) Honey

Ballet Programme c1952

Boris Vladimirovich Volkoff 1900-1974 (here and here) was born and raised in Russia and trained at the state ballet school in Moscow. After working with a range of dance companies in Asian-Pacific countries and then the United States, he made his way to Toronto in 1929. During his first year in Canada, he was the choreographer and ballet master at the Leow's Uptown Theatre. He soon opened his own ballet school and formed a performing group. He ran his school until his death in 1974. His performing group contributed significantly to the professionalization of dance in Canada and he is cited by many as the father of Canadian ballet.

Ballet school pupils on Bluestone lawn
Photo from Pat (Francey) Honey
Hold cursor over a face to see the name

Marilyn Isaac began her ballet under Mary McMillan in Port Hope. At 15 she transferred to Peterborough to study further under Mrs Townsend, and began a modelling career. She was selected to continue training at the National Ballet of Canada under the guidance of Mrs Betty Oliphant. Picture dates from 1961.
Photo from Carol (Isaac) Stevenson

Jennifer's Jazz It Up ballet class
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