National Ballet of Canada (NBC) artistic director Karen Kain has received the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award. Made by the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), it is in recognition of her 50 years with the company.
Kain will be presented with the award during this year’s Genée International Ballet Competition, which is taking place in Toronto. It is the first time it has been held in Canada in over 10 years, and Kain will sit on the jury for the finals.
“It will be a pleasure to be an adjudicator at this prestigious event and witness the many fine young dancers from across the world,” said Kain, who added that she was “greatly honoured” to receive the award.
Kain joined NBC in 1969 as a dancer, becoming a principal in 1971. After retiring from dancing in 1997 she moved into administration. She became artistic director in 2005, and is the now the first Canadian to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award.
Gerard Charles, artistic director of RAD, commented: “I am thrilled that we will also have the opportunity to celebrate one of Canada’s most inspirational figures in dance in the host city of Toronto, and would like to extend my congratulations to Karen Kain on receiving this esteemed award, on behalf of RAD.”
The Genée International Ballet Competition runs from 20-29 August at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto.