Biography
A native of Nanaimo, British Columbia, Jillian Vanstone trained at the Kirkwood Academy
of the Performing Arts and Canada’s
National Ballet School.
She joined The National Ballet of Canada in 1999 and was promoted to Principal
Dancer in 2011.
Ms. Vanstone’s repertoire includes principal roles in Giselle,
The Sleeping Beauty, The Taming of
the Shrew, Onegin, The Nutcracker and The Seagull. She has performed lead roles in Jewels, The Four Seasons, Symphony in C and Theme and
Variations as well as featured roles in Swan Lake, Apollo, The
Firebird and Les Sylphides.
Ms. Vanstone danced in the world premieres of Watch her,
Cinderella, The Contract (The Pied Piper) and The Comforts of Solitude and performed
in company premieres by such contemporary choreographers as Wayne McGregor,
Alexei Ratmansky, John Neumeier and Jerome Robbins. She danced the title role in the North
American premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Quotes
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
“Vanstone is an absolute charmer … Her
Alice is a feisty girl who isn’t afraid of anything, and who throws herself
into every new adventure with gusto. She seems absolutely alive on stage,
glowing with youth.”
The Globe and Mail, 2011
Onegin
“Jillian Vanstone was a fine Olga. She is
blessed with an easy, light jump, strong center, and perfect placement.”
Danceview Times, 2011
The
Sleeping Beauty
“Jillian Vanstone
romped through her own Aurora
debut with irresistible, almost coquettish, high spirits.”
Dancing Times,
2010