Biography
Born in Waterloo,
Ontario, Lorna
Geddes joined The National Ballet of Canada in 1959 following
study with company co-founder Betty Oliphant. She danced in the company’s Corps
de Ballet and performed a wide range of featured roles in the company’s
repertoire before being promoted to Principal Character Artist in 2005.
As a Principal Character Artist, Ms. Geddes has performed a
broad array of roles, including the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, the Nurse in Onegin
and Romeo and Juliet, the Countess in The Sleeping Beauty, Winter in The
Four Seasons, the Priestess in The
Firebird and Baba in The Nutcracker.
In 1984, Ms. Geddes was appointed Assistant Ballet Mistress
with the company, a position she still holds today. In that role she is able to
relay her formidable and singular experience, skill and intuitive command of
the art of ballet to new generations of dancers. In addition, she has managed
the dancers’ footwear needs since 1998.
In 2008, Ms. Geddes was awarded the inaugural David Tory
Award.
Quotes
Onegin
“Lorna Geddes added moments of warmth and humour as Tatiana’s faithful nurse.”
Ballet Review, 2010
Cinderella
“Lorna Geddes is a handsome and elegant Fairy Godmother with just the right touch of humor and guiding spirit.”
Ballet Review, 2008